As an herbalist practitioner and educator, I often say that herbalism is a gift that just keeps giving. This is because herbal medicine not only can heal and prevent illness, but also strengthen our communities, and connect us with the land, and our ancestry. These are just a few of the side effects of working closely with the earth's abundance. On my path along the trail, I have been able to experience many of the gits of working with medicine and more. I invite you to continue to cultivate this gift, or even better start by planting the seeds that will slowly grow. I promise the outcomes you will yield will be beyond your wildest dreams.
This month our Frontline Apothecary seminar was focused on the intimate connection between the nervous system & mental health as well as the allies to support this integral system. A healthy nervous system can not be stressed enough as it relates to the overall integrity of every other body system. Not unlike the importance of mental health with every other aspect of a healthy and fulfilling life. Yet still the mind is quite different between individuals therefore what looks like health in one, may be radically different in another. Yet the basic tenets of health are respectively important in each individual. These tenets are sleep, nourishment, and connection. If these tenets of health are not obtained in a consistent and plentiful amount, no amount of herbs can stop the havoc that may ensue, although they can significantly delay it, more or less depending on the constitution.
As the late great Paul Bergener would say, “Be a boring herbalist.” I love this legendary quote as often practitioners and patients alike may go overboard on what they believe to be solving the challenges of health. I think of health as somewhat like a dog with a bone, impossible to approach directly, but rather should be attempted as if uninterested so as to provide the best result. Or in other words less if often more. Why is this? Simply put the stress of hyperfixation can become an illness of its own, many health-focused individuals, including myself, have experienced this. Not only that, but herbal medicines can be quite strong on the system when used forcefully. So in all things be gentle and patient. The best way to create positive change is through nourishment and gentle adjustment. I couldn't tell you how often the best way to solve a health challenge was through simple food, water, and rest. In fact, this is often the case, as we can often forget our being is designed for wellbeing, and can often obtain this when given the proper tools. Put simply, health should be thought of simply.
Within our medicine study, I shared a compiled list of nervine herbs, also known as a Materia Medica. Nervine is a specific category of herbs that affect the nervous system in a generally restoring way. This includes herbs such as skullcap, valerian, passionflower, and milky oats, to name a few. Many nervines tend to be cooling as well as soothing to several tissues in the body. A hyperactive nervous system is often overheated which is a state that ultimately leads to burnout and disease. An example of this is autoimmunity, where the nervous system being overactive targets body cells as enemies, this can lead to a plethora of debilitating ailments. However, certain nervines may possess warm qualities like valerian, which is felt as irritating as some because of this, but for others can be felt as a warm blanket. The difference in experience will often come down to an individual's constitution. Likewise, some nervines have a somewhat stimulating effect, such as damiana, which is helpful for social anxiety but also a known aphrodisiac helpful in building vitality, and therefore has a slightly stimulating effect.
The category of nervine herbs is quite diverse and is one of the most beloved and sought-after across herbal medicines. One in particular St. John's Wort is one of the most recommended herbs for treating depression. It is soothing to the nervous system, but also uplifting not creating drowsiness like California poppy, but instead a subtle uplifting energy. Not only this but St. John’s Wort is well known for its Hepato-protective and hepatic-stimulating action. Meaning it strengthens the liver protecting it from harm, while also stimulating it to clear the blood of old harmons, chemicals, and in general inflammatory compounds. For this reason, St. John's Wort is commonly contraindicated with important medications, as it can make pharmaceuticals less effective, as they are quickly cleared from the body.
Although the brain and the mind are not quite the same in a similar way to the differences of mental health and nervous system health. The two concepts are intimately connected, as liver function will affect mood, and likewise affect mental health although not directly connected to the nervous system.
We covered this and more in our June (2024) class, as the nervous system is fundamental in the working of the rest of the human organism. For our July (2024) herbal class, we will dive into the components of our hard-working Immune system, and the herbs to support it.
Written by
Akil-Kuumba Kelley
Frontline Farming Clinical Herbalist
