Nervous System Herbal Protocol
General Stress & Anxiety
Illness/ Disease Definition
David Hoffman defines stress simply as:
“Stress is the response of the body to any demand.”
As defined by Taber’s Medical Dictionary,
Stress is:
1. Any physical, physiological, or psychological force that disturbs equilibrium.
2. The consequences of forces that disturb equilibrium.
3. Force applied per unit area. In the physical sciences, stresses include forces that deform or damage materials, such as impact, shear, torsion, compression, and tension. These physical stresses are particularly important in certain branches of health care, e.g., dentistry or orthopedic surgery, and in biotechnology industries, e.g., in the design and use of prostheses, grafts, and perfusion pumps.
Physiological stresses include agents that upset homeostasis, such as infection, injury, disease, internal organ pressures, or psychic strain.
In psychology, stresses include perceptions, emotions, anxieties, and interpersonal, social, or economic events that are considered threatening to one’s physical health, personal safety, or well-being. Marital discord; conflicts with others; battle, torture, or abuse; bankruptcy; incarceration; health care crises; and self-doubt are all examples of conditions that increase psychic stresses. The response of an organism or material to stress is known as adaptation.
Incidence
- As many as 75-90% of visits to physicians are due to stress-related complaints
- Americans identify stress as their #1 health concern in many surveys
- More than 50% of adults in US report high stress on a daily basis
- According to some estimates, prolonged stress is the initial reason for approximately 80% of common diseases
Allopathic Treatments
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Meditation/yoga/exercise
- Medications to manage symptoms of stress such as antidepressants, sleeping pills/tranquilizers for sleep issues, medications for physical symptoms such as IBS or high blood pressure
Signs & Symptoms/ Body Systems Affected
| Body Systems Affected | Signs and Symptoms |
| Nervous system | Anxious mood/anxiety/depression Headaches Fears Sweating Dry mouth Pallor Flushing Giddiness Dreams/nightmares or insomnia Inability to relax Feelings of restlessness or tension Fatigue Trembling |
| Respiratory system | Tightness of breath Pressure in chest Choking feeling Sighing |
| Cardiovascular system | Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Angina (chest pain) Tachycardia, palpitations Feeling faint Skipped heart beats |
| Musculoskeletal system | Muscular tension/aches/pain Muscular twitching Muscular stiffness |
| Digestive System | Lack of appetite Weight loss Difficulty swallowing Indigestion Heartburn Diarrhea or constipation Flatulence Belching Feeling bloated Irritable Bowel Syndrome |
| Urinary system | Frequent urination & urinary urgency |
| Reproductive system | Suppressed menstrual periods Excessive menstrual bleeding Premature ejaculation Impotence or loss of erection |
| Immune system | Triggers a wide variety of autoimmune diseases & psychosomatic disorders |
| The skin | Hives or eczema |
*Need nervine relaxants, hypnotics, analgesics, antispasmodics, antidepressants & adaptogens
| HERB | ACTIONS |
| SKULLCAP Scutellaria laterifolia | Analgesic, Anti-epileptic, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Bitter, Diuretic, Hypnotic (Moderate), Hypotensive, Nervine Relaxant, Sedative, Tonic (Nervine) |
| PASSIONFLOWER Passiflora incarnata | Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Hepatic, Hypnotic (Strong), Hypotensive, Nervine Relaxant, Sedative, Tonic (Cardiac) |
| LEMON BALM Melissa officinalis | Antidepressant, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Calmative, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Hepatic, Hypnotic (Mild), Nervine Relaxant, Neuroprotective, Stomachic |
| VERVAIN Verbena officinalis | Alterative, Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Anticatarrhal, Antidepressant, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Aphrodisiac, Diaphoretic, Emetic, Galactagogue, Hepatic, Hypnotic (Moderate), Hypotensive, Nervine Relaxant, Sedative, Tonic |
| MOTHERWORT Leonurus cardiaca | Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Astringent, Emmenagogue, Hepatic, Hypnotic (Moderate), Hypotensive, Nervine Relaxant, Stomachic, Tonic (Cardiac) |
| ASHWAGANDHA Withania somnifera | Adaptogen (Calming), Alterative, Amphoteric (Immune), Anthelmintic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antitumor, Anxiolytic, Aphrodisiac, Bitter, Diuretic, Immunomodulator, Nervine, Thermogenic, Tonic (Reproductive) |
| VALERIAN ROOT Valeriana officinalis | Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic (Digestive), Calmative, Carminative, Emmenagogue, Hypnotic (Strong Musculoskeletal), Hypotensive, Nervine, Relaxant, Sedative, Stomachic |
| WOOD BETONY Stachys officinalis | Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Anticatarrhal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-tumor, Aphrodisiac, Astringent, Bitter, Carminative, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Hypotensive, Nervine Relaxant, Sedative, Tonic (Vascular), Vulnerary |
| OATS – MILKY STAGE Avena sativa | Antidepressant, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Demulcent, Emollient, Nervine Relaxant, Nutritive Restorative for Nervous & Endocrine systems, Sedative, Stimulant, Tonic (Nervine), Vulnerary |
| LAVENDER Lavendula officinalis | Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Nervine Relaxant (Circulatory), Sedative, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic |
FORMULAS
Infusion/Decoction:
- Passionflower, Lemon Balm, Ashwagandha, Wood Betony, Lavender, Valerian Root
Tincture:
- Equal parts Skullcap & Valerian Root
- 2 parts Motherwort & 1 part vervain
- Skullcap & Passionflower
- Motherwort & Skullcap
- Skullcap, Passionflower, Motherwort, Milky Oats, Ashwagandha , Vervain
Contra-indications:
- Lavender- Do not use when drinking alcohol or when taking sedative drugs such as benzodiazepines or narcotic pain relievers. Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Lemon Balm- Avoid using in large amounts in people with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and other hypothyroid conditions (small amounts as part of a larger formula should be ok)
- Motherwort- Avoid use in pregnancy or if you have a low platelet count. Do not use if taking Coumadin, drugs to treat liver disease, beta blockers, Lanoxin, or other heart drugs.
- Oats- do not use if you have celiac disease
- Passionflower- may increase the effects of prescription sedatives, antispasmodics and anxiolytics – use with caution. Do not use if taking MAOIs
- Skullcap- do not use while taking Antabuse or immunosuppressant drugs; don’t use if pregnant or breastfeeding; large doses can be toxic
- Valerian root- large doses may cause liver damage- do not use if you have liver disease. Do not use if taking Antabuse or CNS Depressants or alcohol. Avoid use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Vervain- do not use if you have asthma, seizure disorder, or are taking blood thinners
- Wood betony- Do not use if pregnant (may stimulate uterus). Use with caution- may cause liver damage or upset stomach
References & Resources:
Adaptogens Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, David Winston, RH (AHG).
Foundations of Medicinal Herbalism, Teresa Boardwine RH.
Medical Herbalism, David Hoffman, FNIMH
Taber’s Online. https://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/746706/all/stress .
The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines, Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D. & Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.
The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Home Edition, Robert Berkow, M.D. & Mark H. Beers, M.D. & Andrew J. Fletcher, M.B., B.Chir. , 1997.
The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine, Daniel B, Mowrey, Ph.D.
Wolfe, Tom. “Herbs for Anxiety.” Pathways, Winter 19-20, p. 11.