The Wisdom of Nervines

The Wisdom of Nervines

Hello everyone!
I hope you have been enjoying the turning of the seasons. We have heard about the beginning of the Year of the Horse, which is said to bring the energy of moving forward. A few days ago, we also experienced a powerful lunar eclipse, which felt quite strong on my side. At the same time, we are sadly witnessing planetary conflicts that can leave us feeling tense and wondering about the wellbeing of our global community.

You haven’t heard much from me this past season. I have been going through major transitions, which at times felt amplified by these wider planetary energies. After an intense Christmas season, I felt my nervous system needed to slow down and retreat into a self-care cocoon through the darkness of winter.
Honouring this need, in alignment with the season, allowed me to reflect on how my surroundings have been affecting my inner cycles. While I know I can be a powerful force of manifestation, I am also realising how easily this strength can turn into my shadow, burning me out, and sometimes those around me as well. Our creative fires can spread quickly, especially when encouraged by the pace set by the systems we live within.
So, in quiet alignment with my jasmine flowers, I have decided to say hello again and share some reflections from this inward time.

On rest and cycles

Retreating to rest is not the same as stopping growth. We are cyclical beings, and we need to tend to our quieter phases. It is in these darker spaces that we rebuild from the roots and learn to strengthen our boundaries. This is the ground where seeds and roots remain protected through the winter.
Reflecting on this also made me question the way the Year of the Horse has been portrayed on social media. Aren’t horses also peaceful, observant and affectionate animals? Is the energy of the Horse only about relentless forward momentum?
If we are to embrace this year, perhaps we can choose a more conscious, self-paced movement forward, rather than entering a purely yang race.

Nervous system burnout

We tend to reach nervous system burnout before we reach endocrine burnout, or what is often called “exhausted adrenals”. When we push past our body’s signals and look for quick fixes, such as consuming copious amounts of coffee or using herbs simply to get our “energy back”, we can end up further depleting ourselves.
In the world of herbs, we have a distinguished group of medicinal plants that act on the nervous system, offering support when we struggle to relax or find ourselves in a constant state of overdrive.
These are the nervines.
These plant allies can either stimulate the nervous system or help relax and restore it.

Stimulant nervines

And guess what? Coffee (Coffea arabica) belongs to the stimulant nervine group. Within this group, we also find Cacao (Theobroma cacao) and Cola (Cola acuminata).
These plants are often enjoyed as what we might call “pleasure plants”, cherished for their uplifting qualities, flavour, and cultural significance. Many of us have daily rituals around them.
However, they are also stimulating plants. Their compounds can activate the nervous system and support the body’s stress response by stimulating the adrenal medulla, which releases the neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine, more commonly known as adrenaline and noradrenaline.
In small or occasional amounts, this stimulation can feel energising and enjoyable. But when consumed in excess, or when our nervous system is already under pressure, these plants may give us a temporary boost while gradually contributing to deeper depletion.

You might be thinking: “But cacao is good for me!”

And yes, it can absolutely be a beautiful plant ally. Cacao is widely loved in the world of wellbeing for its uplifting and heart-opening qualities. Like coffee, however, it is still a stimulating plant, and tends to serve us best when enjoyed with awareness and moderation.

It is also worth remembering that these beloved plants come from specific ecosystems and communities around the world. Their growing popularity has increased pressure on certain landscapes and supply chains, reminding us of the importance of knowing where our plants come from and supporting ethical and regenerative cultivation whenever possible.
Of course, our bodies are all different. As with all plants, some people may feel their stimulating effects more strongly than others, which is why listening to our own nervous system becomes so important.

Relaxing nervines

A relaxed and regulated nervous system benefits many areas of our wellbeing. It supports healthy digestion (and vice versa, the state of our gut can also influence how stressed we feel), enhances our ability to experience pleasure, supports the functioning of our immune system, and strengthens our capacity to care for ourselves and for others.

So, how can we support our nervous system to relax?

This is where nervine relaxants truly shine.

These plants tend to be gentler in their action and can often be used during the day without making you sleepy, groggy, or depleted. Many of them also have digestive benefits and help calm an overstimulated nervous system.

Within this beautiful group, we find some of my favourite herbs:
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Damiana (Turnera diffusa)
Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum)
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Linden (Tilia europaea)
and Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), among others.

Each of these plants offers many qualities beyond relaxation.

Some also belong to the group known as trophorestorative nervines, meaning that with longer-term use, they can help not only calm but also rebuild and nourish a depleted nervous system. 
One of my favourites for this purpose is Oatstraw (Avena sativa). Gentle yet deeply nourishing, it reminds us that restoration often happens slowly, through consistent care rather than sudden bursts of energy.

Returning to a gentler pace

Working with nervine plants is not only about calming stress in moments of overwhelm, but about learning to listen to our bodies more closely. They invite us to soften our pace, to breathe a little deeper, and to remember that rest is an essential part of vitality.

Sometimes the most supportive thing we can do for our nervous system is surprisingly simple: drinking a warm cup of herbal tea, stepping outside for fresh air, feeling the sun on our skin, or allowing ourselves a few moments of stillness during the day. Small rituals like these gently signal to the body that it is safe to relax.

As we move through this season and a year that invites movement and momentum, perhaps we can also remember the wisdom of pacing ourselves. Just as plants grow in cycles of expansion and rest, our energy, too, needs moments of restoration.

So if you find yourself feeling a little overstimulated or depleted, I invite you to turn towards some of these gentle plant allies, brew yourself a warm infusion, and allow your nervous system the space it needs to settle and restore.

Wishing you moments of calm, nourishment, and connection with the plants.

With love,
​
 Monica