Herbal Nervine is an umbrella term for a group of herbs that have an effect on the nervous system. Under this umbrella term it is broken down even further to include herbal actions like anxiolytic, hypnotic, anodyne, etc. (There are different herbal nervines that have different actions that you can work with depending on what you are looking for.) I love herbal nervines that are also tonic herbs, which are herbs that can be consumed daily or in larger amounts. A good cup of tea filled with a relaxing nervine is a fantastic way to end the day. I especially love lemon balm, tulsi, skullcap and . Actually I love so many of them and think that herbal nervines might be one of my favorite groups of herbs. Below I am sharing some of the herbal nervines I am growing in my garden this year so I can harvest them and make lovely herbal preparations for my family. I have them listed with their common name first and their scientific name in parentheses. It is very important to make sure that if you plan to grow or use any herbs you have the correct plant, which is why scientific names are so important. Common names can be used for more than one plant, they can also be regional. 

• Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
• Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
• Bee Balm (Monarda didyma and M. fistulosa) 
• Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
• California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
• Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
• Lavender (Lavendula spp.)
• Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
• Milky Oats (Avena sativa)
• Mint (Mentha spp.)
• Rose (Rosa spp.)
• Skullcap (Scutellaria laterflora)
• Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
• Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

I love growing my own herbs for home use, it is my preferred method and source for making herbal preparations. I do not have enough space in my yard to grow everything I would like to, so I often order from various reputable suppliers things I don’t have room to grow or things I can’t grow because of our climate. Growing herbs is quite easy and they bring beauty and pollinators to the garden. I prefer to grow most of my herbs in containers or my GreenStalk garden towers instead of my raised beds. I can place them in the exact spots that meet their growing requirements all over my yard. The good thing with a lot of these herbs is that you can harvest from them multiple times throughout the season and have enough material to supply your family for the year, longer if you make tinctures from your harvests. I encourage you to think about any issues your family might have that you can address with herbal preparations and see what you can grow. Whether it’s nervines like I have listed here or herbs for the immune system, digestive system, etc. grow your own, you will be thankful you did! I must add that before using any herb to consult your healthcare provider, local herbalist, etc. for any contraindications or cautions. Herbalism is a fantastic way to support your family’s health and wellness.