Herbs that feed, calm and strengthen the nerves and relax spasm: lobelia, skullcap, valerian, hops, black cohosh, wild yam, passionflower, lemon balm and lavender. Chapter 5 teaches this family as a whole.
- Lobelia
- Skullcap
- Valerian
- Lady's Slipper
- Mistletoe
- Wood Betony
- Hops
- Black Cohosh
- Wild Yam
- Passionflower
- Lemon Balm
- Lavender
No. 90Lobelia
Traditional uses and main actions
Christopher's "thinking herb," used in over twenty of his formulas: it goes where it is needed and carries other herbs with it. The strongest antispasmodic and relaxant (spasms, cramps, convulsions, croup, asthma, whooping cough, pain), a powerful expectorant and bronchial dilator, and a diaphoretic. Thomson's partner to cayenne; Schulze's "cranks things down" herb, half of his nerve tonic, and the herb he relied on most in his clinic. Christopher used it with false unicorn to prevent miscarriage.
How it's prepared
Tincture in apple cider vinegar and/or alcohol (the seed is strongest); in formulas; poultice or fomentation outside.
Typical amounts
Schulze: 5–60 drops of tincture 3–4 times a day; in an emergency (spasm, asthma, choking afterward, trouble breathing), 2–10 dropperfuls if conscious, 1–2 if not.
Cautions and interactions
An emetic: too much causes nausea, sweating and vomiting, which Christopher taught is the body's own safety valve (he once drank a large amount by mistake and only vomited). Start with drops. It contains lobeline, related to nicotine: not with nicotine replacement. Not in pregnancy except as Christopher used it with false unicorn. Arukah Herbal Calcium leaves it out.
Taught in Lessons 3, 4, 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 91Skullcap
Traditional uses and main actions
The nerve food: calms anxiety, nervous tension, insomnia from a racing mind, twitching and tremors, and eases withdrawal from alcohol and drugs. Part of Schulze's nerve tonic and Christopher's BF&C.
How it's prepared
Tincture (fresh herb is best); tea.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 1–2 dropperfuls 2–3 times a day; tea, 1–2 teaspoons per cup, 3 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Buy from a trusted supplier: skullcap has been adulterated with germander, which can harm the liver. Adds to sedatives.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 92Valerian
Traditional uses and main actions
Christopher's "natural tranquilizer": the strong herb for sleeplessness, anxiety, muscle tension, cramps and pain. It smells like old socks, and cats love it. Part of Schulze's nerve tonic.
How it's prepared
Tincture; capsules; tea (strong-smelling).
Typical amounts
For sleep, 1–2 dropperfuls of tincture or 300–600 mg 30–120 minutes before bed.
Cautions and interactions
Adds to sleeping pills, anxiety drugs and alcohol: do not drive after a strong dose. A few people feel stimulated rather than calmed. Not in pregnancy beyond occasional use.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 93Lady's Slipper
Traditional uses and main actions
Once the great American nervine: Christopher's "nerve tonic" for anxiety, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, hysteria and pain.
How it's prepared
Tincture or tea of the root.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 10–30 drops 2–3 times a day.
Cautions and interactions
Endangered: do not harvest wild. Use skullcap, valerian or passionflower instead unless you grow it. The fresh plant's hairs can cause a rash.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 94Mistletoe
Traditional uses and main actions
Used in small amounts as a calming nervine, for high blood pressure with nervousness, and for epilepsy in the old herbals. European mistletoe extracts are given by injection in German cancer care.
How it's prepared
Cold infusion of the leaves (in small amounts); tincture.
Typical amounts
Small amounts: cold infusion, 1 teaspoon leaf per cup, 1–2 cups a day; tincture, 10–20 drops.
Cautions and interactions
The berries are poisonous, especially to children and pets. Use leaves only, in small amounts. Not in pregnancy. Adds to blood pressure and heart drugs.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 95Wood Betony
Traditional uses and main actions
An old favorite for headaches (especially tension headaches and those from nerves), nervous tension, anxiety and poor circulation to the head; also a digestive herb.
How it's prepared
Tea; tincture.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1–2 teaspoons per cup, 3 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Very safe. Not in large amounts in pregnancy.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 96Hops
Traditional uses and main actions
A bitter sedative for sleeplessness, nervous indigestion and restlessness; a sachet of hops in the pillow is an old sleep remedy. Part of Schulze's nerve tonic.
How it's prepared
Tea (bitter); tincture; sleep pillow.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 1 dropperful at bedtime; tea, 1 teaspoon per cup at bedtime.
Cautions and interactions
Adds to sedatives and alcohol. Avoid with depression. Contains plant estrogens: avoid with hormone-sensitive cancers. Toxic to dogs.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 97Black Cohosh
Traditional uses and main actions
A muscle relaxant and nerve herb for menstrual cramps, the hot flashes and mood swings of menopause, rheumatism, and muscle and nerve pain. Part of Schulze's nerve tonic and Christopher's nervine and arthritis formulas.
How it's prepared
Tincture; capsules; decoction.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 10–40 drops 2–3 times a day; for menopause, 20–40 mg of extract twice a day.
Cautions and interactions
Not in pregnancy (midwives use it only at term). Rare reports of liver injury: stop with dark urine or yellowing. At risk in the wild: buy cultivated.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 98Wild Yam
Traditional uses and main actions
Christopher's "cramp reliever": relaxes spasm and cramp in the bowel (colic, gas pain, diverticulitis), the uterus (menstrual cramps) and the muscles. Part of Christopher's arthritis formula and female formulas.
How it's prepared
Decoction; tincture.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 1–2 dropperfuls 3 times a day; decoction, 1 teaspoon per cup, 3 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Generally safe. Wild yam creams sold as "natural progesterone" do not turn into progesterone in the body. At risk in the wild: buy cultivated.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 99Passionflower
Traditional uses and main actions
A gentle sedative for anxiety, a racing mind, restless sleep and nervous tension, safe enough for occasional use by children. Part of Schulze's nerve tonic.
How it's prepared
Tea; tincture.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1–2 teaspoons per cup, 2–3 cups a day; tincture, 1–2 dropperfuls at bedtime.
Cautions and interactions
Adds to sedatives and alcohol. Not in pregnancy.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 100Lemon Balm
Traditional uses and main actions
A gentle, lemon-scented calming herb for anxiety, restlessness, nervous stomach, sleeplessness and children's fevers and colic; outside, a remedy for cold sores. Lifts the mood. Easy to grow.
How it's prepared
Fresh or covered tea; glycerite; tincture; salve or strong tea on cold sores.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1–2 teaspoons dried (or a handful fresh) per cup, 3–4 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Very safe. Large amounts may lower thyroid function (caution with low thyroid or thyroid medication).
Taught in Lessons 5, 6 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 101Lavender
Traditional uses and main actions
Calming and uplifting: the scent eases anxiety and helps sleep; the tea soothes nervous headaches and indigestion; the essential oil, diluted, soothes minor burns, bites and stings and is used on acupressure points to calm the mind (Chapter 7).
How it's prepared
Tea; bath; sachet; diluted essential oil; inhaled.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1 teaspoon flowers per cup; essential oil at the dilutions in Chapter 7.
Cautions and interactions
Very safe as a tea or scent. Use only true lavender (L. angustifolia) oil on the skin, diluted.
Taught in Lessons 5, 7 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).