Nervous

Is a plant native to North America and is a member of the mint family. It is widely used in western herbal medicine and is similar to European or greater skullcap (S. galericulata), but should not be confused with Chinese or Asian skullcap (S. baicalensis), which has very different action and uses. The aerial parts of the plant are used medicinally.

Action of American Skullcap

It contains a flavanoid glycoside called scutellarin, volatile oil, tannins and iridoids. Scutellarin is thought to be the compound that exhibits sedative and antispasmodic action. The herb is also anticonvulsant, nervine and a brain and central nervous system vasodilator.

American Skullcap Uses

Historically it has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

Tags: Anxiety, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Epilepsy, Insomnia, Lactation, Liver, Migraine, Nervous, Pain, PMS, Stress, Tension

There are several varieties of vervain, but European vervain is the most commonly used in herbal medicine. It is a native plant to Europe, and other species include blue vervain (V. hastate) and V. macdougalii, they are all similar in action. The medicinal parts of the plant are the flowers and leaves. It is a perennial and was used by the ancient Greeks and druids for a variety of health problems. Vervain flowers are also used to make the Bach flower remedy, vervain

Medicinal Properties of Vervain

It contains a variety of compounds including irridoid glycosides, verbenin, verbenalin and bastatoside. In addition it contains volatile oil, flavanoids, mucilage and choline. It is said to be sedative, nervine, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), hypnotic, liver and kidney tonic, antidepressant, galactagogue (stimulates breast milk), aphrodisiac, anti-diarrhoeic, emetic, emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation) and a general tonic.

Tags: Anxiety, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Depression, Digestion, Dysmenorrhoea, Epilepsy, Headaches, Indigestion, Kidney, Lactation, Liver, Nervous, Pain, Periods, Stress, Tension

Is a plant native to North America and is a member of the mint family. It is widely used in western herbal medicine and is similar to European or greater skullcap (S. galericulata), but should not be confused with Chinese or Asian skullcap (S. baicalensis), which has very different action and uses. The aerial parts of the plant are used medicinally.

Medicinal Properties of American Scullcap

It contains a flavanoid glycoside called scutellarin, volatile oil, tannins and iridoids. Scutellarin is thought to be the compound that exhibits sedative and antispasmodic action. The herb is also anticonvulsant, nervine and a brain and central nervous system vasodilator.

American Scullcap Herbal Remedies

Historically American Scullcap has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

Tags: Anxiety, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Epilepsy, Insomnia, Lactation, Liver, Migraine, Nervous, Pain, PMS, Stress, Tension

This herb is more commonly known as cowslip, the plant has yellow and orange wild flowers and it is found throughout Europe and temperate regions of Asia. The flowers and root (less often) are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Primula

The flowers contain high numbers of flavanoids (around 19 have been isolated) whereas the root contains high levels of saponin glycosides. Both flower and contain phenolic glycosides, tannins and volatile oil. The flowers have potent anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antioxidant action, due to the flavanoids. It is sedative, a mild diuretic and laxative, antipyretic (reduces fever), hypnotic, platelet anticoagulant, antitussive (reduces coughing) and an expectorant.

Primula Herbal Remedies

Historically Primula has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

Tags: Anxiety, Bronchitis, Cough, Fever, Headaches, Insomnia, Lactation, Lumbago, Nervous, Parasites, Rheumatism, Sleep, Stress, Varicose Veins

Neroli or orange blossom is the flowers of the plant, bitter orange (Citrus aurantium). Neroli is the name of the essential oil that is mainly used for aromatherapy, rather than in herbal medicine. It was named after the princess of Nerola in Italy, who loved to wear it as a perfume. The flowers were used in bridal bouquets and wreaths to calm nervous tension before the honeymoon night. A distillation can also be made from the flowers and is called orange flower water.

Medicinal Properties of Neroli

This herb contains approximately 34% linalol, 6%-17% linalyl acetate, 15% limonene and various volatile compounds. The oil is antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative (wind relieving), deodorant, nervous stimulant, heart and circulatory tonic, digestive tonic and a mild hypnotic.

Tags: Anxiety, Circulation, Colic, Depression, Diarrhoea, Digestion, Flatulence, Heart, Indigestion, Lactation, Nervous, PMS, Stress, Tension, Wrinkles

Mate or yerba mate tea is the national drink of Paraguay and Brazil. The leaves are used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Mate

The leaves contain less tannins than ordinary black tea, but still has good levels of caffeine, which is a stimulant to the brain and nervous system. It is also a general tonic, anti-rheumatic, mildly antispasmodic, diuretic and helps to rid the body of uric acid.

Mate Herbal Remedies

Historically Ilex paraguariensis has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

Exhaustion from stress
Gout
Headache -nervous
Lack of energy
Obesity
Rheumatism

Tags: Energy, Gout, Lactation, Nervous, Rheumatic, Rheumatism, Stress, Weight Loss

Lavender, or common/true lavender is an evergreen woody shrub, with beautiful purple-blue flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but is now cultivated world-wide, for its use as a garden herb and for its distinctive fragrant aromatherapy oil.

The flowers are used in herbal medicine and to make essential oil. Several variations exist: French lavender (L. stooechas), Spike lavender (L. latifolia), Lavandin (L. x intermedia).

Medicinal Properties of Lavender

It contains a volatile oil which comprises of over 100 different constituents, including around 40% linalyl acetate, linalool, lavandulol, lavandulyl acetate, terpinol, cineol and limonene, among many others.
The flowers also contain coumarins, flavanoids and other triterpenes.
Lavender is best known as a very calming and relaxing plant.
Lavender is also antibacterial, analgesic, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, carminative (wind relieving), emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation) and an insecticide (especially spike lavender).

Tags: Anxiety, Burns, Chilblains, Circulation, Colic, Depression, Digestion, Headaches, Heart, Heartburn, High Blood Pressure, Indigestion, Infections, Insomnia, Migraine, Nervous, Neuralgia, Pain, Rheumatism, Stress, Toothache

Huperzia is a type of moss that was traditionally used in Chinese medicine and drunk as a tea for various conditions including fever, urinary health and menstrual problems. In modern herbal medicine the alkaloid huperzine A is isolated and used medicinally.

Medicinal Properties of Huperzia

The moss contains huperzine A, which is the main active constituent. This alkaloid has a unique action, it prevents the breakdown of the brain chemical known as acetylcholine, this is needed to carry electrical messages through the nervous system. This enables more efficient brain function.

Huperzia Herbal Remedies

Historically Huperzia has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

Age related cognitive decline
Alzheimer’s disease
Dementia
General brain function
Learning ability
Poor memory

Tags: Alzheimer, Dementia, Fever, Lactation, Memory, Menstrual, Nervous, Urinary

Chamomile grows throughout Europe and Asia, but is cultivated on a large scale for medicinal use. This attractive and aromatic member of the daisy family has been used since Roman times. The dried and fresh flowers of German Chamomile are most commonly used in herbal medicine. Both German and Roman Chamomile are used in Aromatherapy.

Medicinal Properties of Chamomile

Chamomile flowers contain volatile oils, the most important of which are proazulenes, alpha-bisabolol and spiroether, together with ioflavanoids and Quercetin. This complex mix is anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic, and accounts for its 2,000 year history in the treatment of digestive problems.

Chamomile used topically demonstrates anti-inflammatory, healing and soothing properties to the skin.

Chamomile Herbal Remedies

Chamomile has been used for the following disorders:

Tags: Anxiety, Colic, Digestion, Gastritis, Headaches, Heart, Heartburn, Indigestion, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Lactation, Nervous, Skin, Stomach, Ulcers, Wound

NOTE: Yohimbe herbal supplements are not legally available for over the counter sale in the UK and Ireland, but they may be prescribed by a qualified medical herbalist.The yohimbe tree is a tall evergreen that is native to Africa, mainly growing in the forests of south-western Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon and the Congo. The bark is used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Yohimbe

Yohimbe contains an alkaloid called yohimbine, which has various properties:

Firstly, it blocks alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the nervous system, which increases levels of catecholamines, such as adrenaline (epinephrine). This directly stimulates, blood flow and metabolic rate, which mobilises fats out of their storage areas so they can be burned for fuel.

Tags: Anxiety, Circulation, Cough, Depression, Diabetes, Energy, Fever, Flu, Heart, Impotence, Kidney, Lactation, Liver, Nausea, Nervous, Panic, Sleep, Stress, Ulcers

Kava kava is a large climbing vine-like shrub, which is native to the Polynesian Islands in the Pacific region. It has been used since the earliest times to make a mind-altering liquid that played an essential part in both social and religious ceremonies. The root of the plant is used in herbal medicine.

Medicinal Properties of Kava kava

Kava kava contains a primary active constituent, known as the kavalactones, which act on the central nervous system and limbic area of the brain. They have nerve relaxing, pain relieving actions and are antispasmodic muscle relaxants. Kava is said to keep you ‘cool, calm and collected’ as it relaxes the system whilst keeping the brain alert and the senses sharp.

Tags: Anxiety, Depression, Lice, Muscle, Nervous, Pain, Stress, Tension

Damiana is found mainly in Mexico, and the leaves and stems have been in herbal medicine by the Mexican Indians for centuries.

Medicinal Properties of Damiana

Damiana contains flavonoids, volatile oils and arbutin. It is said to be a diuretic, antidepressant, aphrodisiac in action and a general tonic to the nervous system and reproductive organs.

Damiana Herbal Remedies

Our herbalists recommend Damiana for the following disorders:

Depression
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Tired all the time (TATT)

Other Damiana Information

Traditionally and from historical use in Mexico, herbalists often use Damiana for male impotence and as an enhancer for sexual performance.

Tags: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Depression, Impotence, Infections, Nervous, Tired All The Time, Urinary