If you’ve ever felt like your nervous system needs a reset, nervines are a class of herbs worth getting to know. In herbalism, nervines are plants that nourish, soothe, and restore the nervous system. They can ease feelings of stress, calm racing thoughts, and even support better sleep—depending on the herb. Some nervines are gentle tonics that can be taken daily, while others are more acute helpers for those moments when tension runs high.
Here are 10 nervines you should know, how they work, and when they shine.
1. Milky Oat Tops (Avena sativa)
Milky oats are a true tonic for the nervous system. They “feed and fortify” by providing minerals and nutrients that help restore balance when you feel depleted. Especially helpful for people who are burned out or run down, milky oats work best when taken regularly over time. They’re considered safe, nourishing, and deeply restorative.
2. Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Also known as tulsi, holy basil is both a nervine and an adaptogen. It helps ease tension, sharpen focus, and regulate the stress response by working on the HPA axis. While it has gentle mood-lifting qualities, holy basil is especially loved for helping people feel more resilient under stress. I use this herb in my Weightless Blend, where it pairs beautifully with skullcap and lemon balm to calm stress and support clarity.
3. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm is bright, citrusy, and uplifting. It’s often used to gently improve mood, calm nervous tension, and ease digestive upset linked to stress (“nervous belly”). It also has mild sedative properties, making it supportive for stress-related sleep issues. Lemon balm is a lovely herb to combine with other nervines like catnip, chamomile, or skullcap.
4. Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)
Blue vervain is a powerful nervine with antispasmodic qualities. It shines when stress shows up physically—like in neck and shoulder tension, or even chest tightness that can accompany anxiety. It’s also helpful for PMS-related cramping and can be combined with skullcap to support people experiencing panic or high levels of nervous agitation.
5. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is both a nervine and an adaptogen, which makes it a goldmine for stress resilience. Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, it helps restore energy, regulate cortisol, and support the body’s stress response. Ashwagandha is particularly useful when stress leads to exhaustion or interferes with restful sleep. Over time, it helps restore vitality and balance.
6. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
Skullcap is one of my favorite nervines for the “busy brain” type of stress. It can calm circular thinking, panic, and stress-induced headaches or muscle tension. This herb is a go-to for people who carry stress in their neck and shoulders. I feature it in my Weightless Blend because of how beautifully it works alongside holy basil and oat straw to bring relief during stressful moments.
7. Linden (Tilia spp.)
Linden flowers are slightly sweet, making them as delicious as they are supportive. Linden is wonderful for calming tension in the mind and body, and it pairs beautifully with skullcap or passionflower when stress interferes with sleep. Traditionally, linden has also been used for heart-centered support, making it a lovely herb for those dealing with emotional stress.
8. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Passionflower is a cooling nervine that helps quiet an overactive mind and supports deeper sleep. It’s especially useful when stress leads to restlessness or difficulty staying asleep. Often combined with linden or skullcap, passionflower can be a strong ally for people dealing with stress-related insomnia or racing thoughts at night.
9. Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)
Mimosa, sometimes called the “tree of happiness,” is a beautiful herb for the heart and spirit. It uplifts mood, eases grief, and has been used to support people navigating PTSD, CPTSD, or long-term sadness. Growing abundantly in warm climates, mimosa is a reminder that nature offers us allies for even the heaviest emotions.
10. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
While famous for its effect on cats, catnip has the opposite effect on humans. For us, it’s a gentle nervine that calms anxious feelings and supports relaxation. It’s also a wonderful digestive aid, especially when anxiety causes nervous indigestion. Catnip combines well with lemon balm, chamomile, and warming herbs like ginger or fennel for a soothing “nervous belly” tea.
Final Thoughts
Nervines are some of the most versatile and supportive herbs in the materia medica. From restoring long-term balance to calming acute stress, they offer tools for building resilience and ease in a busy, overstimulated world. Whether it’s the nourishing energy of milky oats, the stress-buffering qualities of holy basil, or the grief-soothing power of mimosa, each nervine has something unique to offer.
If you’re curious about experiencing nervines in a blend, my Weightless Tea combines holy basil, skullcap, and lemon balm to support calm, focus, and a steadier stress response.