Are you quick to react, constantly low energy, irritable, or have a lack of motivation?
Yes? The culprit is likely chronic stress. Chronic stress keeps the body in a heightened state of alert for prolonged periods of time. As a consequence, the PNEI (psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology) systems responsible for homeostasis become depleted from maintaining an excitatory state, lose functional capacity, resulting in illness (1). Illnesses that affect the PNEI will often have wide-ranging effects, as it is the organizational systems of the body that are in disrepair; symptoms of illness are seen in hormonal balance, immune function, nerve transmission, cognitive capacity and others.
Adapt - For Better or Worse
The idea of plasticity, or the adaptive nature of the body, has been known to psychologists since the 1890’s (2). The term neuroplasticity refers to the adaptation of the nervous system to respond to stimuli by modifying the structure, function, or connections (2). Adaptation however is not always beneficial and can sometimes become pathological.
To explain, our bodies strive for efficiency, using the least amount of resources for the largest effect. Consider the nervous system as an interwoven connection of pathways, roads, and highways; frequently used neural connections become more ingrained like highways, whereas pathways which are unused become cleaved or disconnected from the network. This can be beneficial when we start implementing positive habits like mindfulness or gratitude journaling. However, it is harmful when experiencing unmanaged chronic stress. Chronic stress is a direct route to the physiological reactions of stress such as elevated adrenaline and misaligned cortisol.
Herbs - Illness Inflection Point
Drugs are created to have an intended effect: lower blood pressure, increase urination, decrease inflammation, etc. Therefore, drugs by their very nature are not agents of homeostasis! Herbs on the other hand have various actions on the body, and in fact the class of herbs Adaptogens work on the PNEI systems of the body to achieve homeostasis by building resilience to stress. So while you may experience the same stressor as before, with adaptogens you are better able to consciously react and return to calm following the stressor.
Some of my favourite adaptogens for chronic stress are:
Rhodiola - Rhodiola rosea
Holy Basil - Ocimum sanctum
Ashwagandha - Ashwagandha somniferum
Gotu Kola - Centella asiatica
Bacopa - Bacopa monnieri
Building Resilience in the Nervous System
When looking to affect the nervous system, herbs and mushrooms excel. Many botanicals are known to positively affect neural tissue both in the cranial cavity and within the body. Some botanicals are able to cross the BBB (blood brain barrier) impact mood and cognitive function by improving capillary circulation, reducing oxidative stress, initiating neuronal branching, and regulating nerve transmission (3, 4).
Some favourite botanicals for affecting the nervous system within the cranium:
Lion’s Mane Mushroom - Hericium erinaceus
Ginkgo - Ginkgo biloba
Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis
Saffron - Crocus sativus
Some herbs are known to contain neurotransmitters improving nerve transmission, and act to replenish a diminished response (5,8). *If you are taking medication for a neurological or mental condition these herbs are likely not safe without the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
Some of my favourite herbs for affecting neurotransmitter balance are:
St. John’s Wort - Hypericum perforatum
Passionflower - Passiflora incarnata
Valerian - Valeriana officinalis
Mucuna - Mucuna pruriens
Other herbs improve nervous system structure and function from a nutritional standpoint. Many herbs are rich in minerals, complex carbohydrates, antioxidants and more. These compounds are required for signal transmission, energy and oxidative support (6,7). These herbs are generally safe for most people to take, but if you are on medications it is recommended to check with your prescriber.
Some of my favourite nutrient rich herbs for the nervous system are:
Oats - Avena sativa
Viola - Viola spp.
Cacao - Theobroma cacao
Butterfly Pea - Clitoria ternatea
Selecting the Most Indicated Herb For You
Choosing which herbs are best for you is dependent on how you experience stress and depletion in the nervous system. For example, if you agitated, are prone to anxious feelings, or on medications then St. John’s Wort may not be the best option, whereas for another person that may be the only herb they need to take.
For the person just starting out on the journey I recommend sticking first to the adaptogens and the nutrient rich herbs for at least six weeks. For many that may be all you need, however if you need extra support, or want a custom formula for your specific symptoms and health goals, then I recommend booking in with a herbalist or someone experienced in herbal medicine. At Fleurish my passion is bringing in techniques known to improve and maintain wellbeing while supporting the vital life force - so that we all have the energy to treat ourselves, each other, and the planet better. Work with me to consciously achieve health and mental wellbeing!
References:
Trifunovic, S., Stevanovic, I., Milosevic, A., Ristic, N., Janjic, M., Bjelobaba, I., Savic, D., Bozic, I., Jakovljevic, M., Tesovic, K., Laketa, D., & Lavrnja, I. (2021). The Function of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis During Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: Involvement of Oxidative Stress Mediators. Frontiers in neuroscience, 15, 649485. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.649485
Puderbaugh M, Emmady PD. Neuroplasticity. 2023 May 1. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 32491743.
Pham, H.T.N.; Tran, H.N.; Nguyen, P.T.; Le, X.T.; Nguyen, K.M.; Phan, S.V.; Yoneyama, M.; Ogita, K.; Yamaguchi, T.; Folk, W.R.; et al. Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. Extract Improves Memory Performance via Promotion of Neurogenesis in the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus of Adolescent Mice. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 3365. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21093365
Fricker G, Ott M and Reichel V (2010). Drug/natural product interactions at the blood brain barrier. Front. Pharmacol. Conference Abstract: Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Blood-Brain Barrier: State of the Art, Needs for Future Research and Expected Benefits for the EU. doi: 10.3389/conf.fphar.2010.02.00013
Murch, S. J., & Saxena, P. K. (2002). Mammalian neurohormones: potential significance in reproductive physiology of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.)?. Die Naturwissenschaften, 89(12), 555–560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-002-0376-1
Neeti N Jain, C.C Ohal, S.K Shroff, R.H Bhutada, R.S Somani, V.S Kasture, S.B Kasture,
Clitoria ternatea and the CNS, Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Volume 75, Issue 3, 2003, pages 529-536, ISSN 0091-3057, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0091-3057(03)00130-8.
Frye, Abigail & Haustein, Catherine. (2007). Extraction, Identification, and Quantification of Harmala Alkaloids in Three Species of Passiflora. American Journal of Undergraduate Research. 6. 10.33697/ajur.2007.020.
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