Herbal Resilience: Nervines for the Apocalypse and Beyond

Posted by By Ingrid Bauer, MD, MS on Nov 18th 2024

Herbal Resilience: Nervines for the Apocalypse and Beyond

In the wake of the 2024 elections, looming attacks on liberties and the vulnerable, seemingly endless wars, and a mounting climate crisis, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and frightened. Many of us who have worked toward healing individuals, communities, and the planet, feel that our efforts are being undone, whether due to floods, fires, politicians, or armed conflict. How can we source the strength and resilience required not only to survive but to rebuild and thrive when we feel everything collapsing around us?

As herbalists, farmers, witches, and wildcrafters, we have spent our lives learning from nature and gratefully receiving her gifts. Now more than ever, the Earth provides metaphors, remedies, practices, and potions that our human ancestors have been using for thousands of years… if we only stop to remember and use them.

Herbal Allies For Overwhelming Times

In Western herbal medicine, “nervines'' encompass a broad spectrum of herbs that support the nervous system. Some are uplifting and energizing, while others are calming and soothing, and some help us get the sleep we so desperately need. While not necessarily nervines, “adaptogens” also support the nervous systems vis-a-vis normalizing endocrine function, supporting the body's systems in responding gracefully to stressors.

Uplifting & Restorative Nervines

  • St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum): Extensively researched for its anti-depressant effects, the bright yellow flowers bring the light of mid-summer to darker days and also support irritated nerves and tissues.
  • Milky oats (Avena sativa): The mineral-rich tops provide nourishment to soothe raw edges and improve energy levels
  • Silk tree (Albizia julibrissin): Abates anxiety while lifting the mood; its Chinese name translates to “collective happiness tree.”

Calming & Relaxing Nervines

  • Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): Across cultures, chamomile is used for enhancing relaxation and digestion
  • Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): A lovely scent and flavor, lemon balm is rich in essential oils that gently relax the mind and digestion
  • Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): Relaxes mental tension along with the muscles of the head, jaw and neck

Anxiolytics

  • Lavender (Lavandula spp): Whether inhaled or taken internally, lavender provides a profoundly relaxing effect without drowsiness
  • Kava (Piper methysticum): Kava relaxes internal and social tension, and may provide an alternative to alcohol for those who drink in response to stress or social anxiety.
  • Vervain (Verbena hastata): A bitter, settling herb that deeply grounds us in times of emotional turmoil

Soporific & Analgesic Nervines

  • California poppy (Eschscholzia californica): Larger doses of our state bloom bring about drowsiness and physical comfort, without any opioid alkaloids.
  • Hops (Humulus lupulus): If a strong IPA puts you to sleep, consider what hops can do.
  • Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata): Helps to slow the monkey-mind churnings that keep us up at night.

Adaptogens

  • Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum): Revered as a holy plant in Ayurveda, holy basil supports healthy blood sugar levels and emotional well-being
  • Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea): This hardy rhizome has been shown to improve physical endurance, reduce fatigue, and combat anxiety and depression.
  • Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Used for millennia as rasayana (rejuvenator) for a plethora of applications, ashwagandha may support sleep difficulties, fatigue, reproductive health, skin and digestive conditions, joint pain, and immune function.

In East Asian herbalism (aka TCM), many herbs now called adaptogens are age-old tonics, such as ginseng, reishi and eleuthero. Other important East Asian herbal categories include “herbs that calm the spirit” which are direct to the Heart, while others move emotional energy (especially anger and depression) by moving the Liver qi, or improve digestive capacity to enhance energy production from food by tonifying the Spleen qi. Some of the most commonly prescribed formulas by East Asian physicians include:

Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li Tang: This traditional formula deeply sedates & calms the Spirit with bupleurum, dragon bone & oyster shell, combined with Western nervines like California poppy, skullcap and milky oats.

Gui Pi Tang: Supports the qi, tonifies the Blood, strengthens the Spleen, and nourishes the Heart when stress is impacting our sleep and digestion.

Xiao Yao San: Spreads the Liver qi, strengthens the Spleen, and nourishes the Blood, beneficial for emotional stuckness and irritability, as well as menstrual irregularities.

For TCM perspectives on supporting mental wellness with herbs, check out our comprehensive blog by Benjamin Zappin, LAc. He also goes deep into the therapeutic applications of ginseng for vitality in another blog.

Magic For Reclaiming Our Power

Witchcraft is the practice of magic, using the intention to transform the mundane into the powerful. Modern witches practice rituals during seasonal transitions recognized by many cultures, such as summer and winter solstice, and spring and fall equinox. Witches are also healers at physical and spiritual levels, employing herbs, rituals, and spells to rid ailments and restore wellness.

While we at Five Flavors Herbs don’t identify as witches, we honor the legacy of healers (especially women) in Europe and North America who were persecuted for their herbal practices for centuries, resulting in the destruction of traditional knowledge that we have been working for decades to re-build. We also celebrate the modern witches who dare to buck the stereotypes still perpetuated in popular media, and who form covens for mutual aid and reclaiming their power.

Flower essences are a bridge between the pragmatic, phytochemical approach to herbalism and the alchemical practices of witchcraft. Learn how to make and use flower essences, or find inspiration in Dori Midnight’s Apocalypse Potion, a witchcrafted blend of flower essences made in collaboration with adrienne maree brown and Autumn Brown for How to Survive the End of the World podcast. A portion of proceeds supports Movement Generation Justice & Ecology Project.

Resources for modern witchcraft for resiliency we recommend include

Simple Caregiving Practices

Often referred to as “self-care”, these caregiving practices can also be shared with family and community as well. Share a meal or volunteer at a food pantry! Walk with your neighbors or lead a community exercise class! Bring mindfulness practices into your workplace to start a meeting, or share with your kids at bedtime! When you are alone caring for yourself, remember that you deserve it… and set the intention that others may benefit from the practices that help you feel more peaceful and empowered as you move through the world.

Eat

No matter what, we all have to eat, and consuming nourishing and delicious meals that are easy to prepare can help us ground and balance, building and maintaining the strength we need during challenging times. Setting a good foundation with plant-centric food helps us connect with the earth, and can steer us away from the extremes of indulgence or not eating enough under stress. Plus, if social safety nets are further eroded, many of our neighbors will be facing food insecurity, so feeding others is a cornerstone of mutual aid.

  • Broths (bone-based or vegan) can be made ahead of time and frozen to make an easy soup, or to sip alone. The mine
  • Congee is easy to make overnight in a slow cooker, and can be consumed with various condiments for any meal. This soft rice porridge assimilates easily and especially helpful when feeling ill, experiencing a low appetite, or recovering after poor food choices.
  • Smoothies are often appealing to kids or folks struggling with an appetite, and are a great way to get in fruits, veggies, and extra protein. For some recipe ideas, check out the Mountain Rose Herbs blog. In colder weather, try avoiding icy cold smoothies to protect the digestion!

Move

Moving our bodies connects us with our breath and with the Earth, especially if we find ways to exercise outside. Moving with others, whether in a class at the gym or going out dancing, can help us connect with friends and strangers, and invites joy back into our lives. Walking in nature (aka forest bathing or shirin yoku), practicing yoga or qi gong, or joining a local sports league, are some ways to bring movement into your life.

For more thoughts on intentional movement and breath, read our interview with teacher Sally Chang LAc to discover how internal martial arts helps to develop peace from within to navigate unavoidable conflicts.

Sleep

Stress impacts our sleep, and lack of sleep impacts our ability to respond to overwhelming situations. Sleep allows our bodies and minds to rest, repair, and rejuvenate in ways that simply aren’t possible while awake. Inadequate sleep affects our energy, mood, focus, and also our physical health. Find more bedtime tips and natural sleep aids here.

Take Home Points:

As herbalists, as dirt-loving plant-worshippers, as fierce protectors of our children, our neighbors and our planet, now is a time to lean into nature, and also to lend our support to the Earth and each other. It is time for us to remember, as Zen teacher and native Hawaiian leader Norma Wong said in a recent interview with adrienne marie and Autumn Brown:

“As long as our purpose is about fighting the conditions that we are in, we will remain in despair. But if our purpose is about the purpose of our shared humanity… [it] will be so clear that we will keep moving toward the light of that. Even if we are in the back of the cavern of it. … We have to place the darkness at our back and keep the warmness and the light in full view…”

So, let us now in this moment that feels dark, as we move into winter, into coldness and contemplation, let us not freeze from action, nor burn our fire so hot that we exhaust ourselves. Let us be like wildflower seeds, that require “scarification,” a cold snap or even a fire to germinate, capable of surviving the harsh conditions of blizzard or drought, to emerge toward the light providing beauty and nourishment to all beings.

Other resources you may find helpful in many different ways:

You Might Also Enjoy:

1. 8 Best Medicinal Mushrooms for Wellness

2. Green Your Black Friday: Guide to Herbal Gifts for the Holidays

3. Support Your Immune System Naturally: Lymphatic Herbs

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