Herbs for Stress

Being neurodivergent often means having a more sensitive/vulnerable nervous system. Here are some herbs you can turn to in times of acute stress to take a bit of the edge off.

There are two main categories of herbs I want to discuss as a support for dealing with stress, so I’m going to divide this post into two parts. The first group are called nervines, and they are for acute situations when you are feeling stressed out and are trying to calm down. The second group are called adaptogens, and they help build your body’s capacity to handle stress better over time. I will focus on nervines today and on adaptogens in part two. 

I’d also like to state up front that ideally, you want to be working with herbs that match your personal constitution. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all herb for stress that works for everyone, or even for all neurodivergent people. For example, if you are that person that is always freezing and reaching for that extra sweater, you don’t want to be taking an herb that is just going to make you more cold. You need to warm up! 

And since people feel stress differently in their bodies, you want to select your herbs based on your personal experience of stress. But since we can’t do that kind of customization in an article like this, I’m going to stick with some very safe herbs that still tend to be highly effective for a broad range of people. 

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) 
Have you ever wondered why chamomile is always around? It’s because it is helpful for so many things, is super safe and works for just about anyone’s constitution (unless you’re allergic). But this can make it seem so ordinary and ho-hum that it’s easy to overlook it as a potent helper—and then we spend way too much money and create a huge eco footprint to try some exotic herb from the other side of the world instead. Rethink that strategy! 

To really get the full benefits of chamomile, you will want to make a very strong infusion with a good quality herb and steep it for at least 30 minutes. That will unleash its stronger muscle relaxing properties, soothe the nervous system, and even relieve the pain of menstrual cramps or digestive upset. Use multiple tea bags if you have them, and if this strategy works for you, consider buying it in bulk as it will save you a lot of money and the loose herb will be even more effective. This is a particularly great herb for people who get really tense when they are stressed out. 
A great choice for children too!

Rose Petals (Rosa canina, R. multiflora, R. rugosa ) 
Rose is a wonderful herb to turn to if stress leaves you feeling vulnerable and unprotected and just wanting to curl up on  ball on your bed and shut out the world. Call on its thorns as a shield from all harm! That’s what the little critters do when they take shelter under a rose bush.
The smell alone can help bring about an instant shift in the body. Because of its soothing and anti-inflammatory effect, it is also a great choice when stress is contributing to systemic inflammation in the body (or spirit) that is agitated and wearing you down. It has a drying effect that is helpful for anyone who is on the damp side (carrying around a bit of extra water perhaps, which can also show up as thing like looser stools or leaky gut). Consider pairing with hawthorn if you have heightened sensitivity and/or get heart palpitations when stressed.

Linden leaves and flowers (Tilia americana & cordata) 
If you get hot and agitated when you are stressed out, give linden a try. Like rose, it has a lovely floral scent that can be instantly soothing. Almost everyone thinks it tastes food too. For those with ADHD, it will help even out the side effects from things like Ritalin and Adderal. Since stress can also contribute to autoimmune flare-ups and snacking on less than ideal comfort food, it’s good to know that linden also supports those with the nerve pain associated with things like fibromyalgia and MS as well as the pain that can come from eating foods that are not ideal for your body.  

Linden is moistening, and the longer you infuse it, the more moistening it will get (you can even infuse it overnight!). If you physically run dry, or have nerves that are hot and frazzled, linden will help. This is another good choice for the kiddos. 

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum, O. tenuiflorum)
Warming, drying and oh so relaxing, tulsi is the herb of choice when stress leads to sugar cravings or compulsive use of drugs and alcohol. Tulsi is also an adaptogen, so we will discuss it more in Part 2, but just be aware that those benefits are going to be cumulative and you will not be ‘cured’ by drinking a single cup of it. 

It does have some immediate effects though and is often associated with just generally lifting the mood and releasing anxiety. The taste and smell are very appealing to most people (kind of like a sweet and spicy basil, which it is related to). It also has some digestive actions that can be helpful when stresses impacting digestion.

Tulsi is safe for almost anyone of any age, but if you are on medications that lower blood sugar, be aware that tulsi can amplify those effects, so be sure to monitor carefully under the supervision of a doctor.
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This is not an exhaustive list of nerviness by any means. If stress gives you insomnia, definitely check out my article “Herbs the Support Better Sleep.” 
Just enter the title into the search bar on my blog and it will get you right to it.

And keep in mind that while these are all teas you can get immediate benefit from, you will get other cumulative benefits over time and with larger quantities. If you really want to do a deep dive into finding your herbal allies, consider spending a lot of time with one of these herbs for a month. Try having a quart of tea of your chosen herb every day—that’s four cups.

I have one of those carafes that fits a quart of liquid and it stays hot all day (you can even make it the night before, then put in a thermos to carry with you all day instead of water). And keep in mind that tea does not have to be hot—that’s good to remember as the warmer months approach. When it gets really hot, I like mixing certain teas (lemon balm would be an excellent one to look into when it’s hot and you’re stressed out) with some club soda and serving with ice. So refreshing!

And if tea is not your thing, you could also try tinctures. You can carry a little bottle around with you everywhere you go and just take a dropperful maybe 3x/day or so. They cost more than tea, but they are super convenient and they are also super easy to make yourself if you are so inclined.

I have said it before and I will say it again—herbs are a lot like people. Even if on paper they check all the right boxes, you may not necessarily have chemistry with everything you try out. So do your research, keep experimenting, and in time you will find your herbal allies. 

Here’s to building more resilience in these challenging and stressful times with the help of our herbal partners!

Note: This is not medical advice. I am a neurodivergent coach, educator and holistic herbalist, and I do not diagnose or treat any condition. The information here is for educational purposes only and to share my own experiences as an autistic woman.

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