Nervine Trophorestoratives

A nervine trophorestorative is a group of herbs which specifically nourish and maintain nervous system tissue, (Holmes, 2007) and they are a subclass of herbal medicines within nervine tonics (Hechtman, 2018). Nervine trophotestoratives are calming herbs, nourishing to the nerves and restorative to emotional balance, they are mildly relaxing without being sedative.

Nervine trophorestoratives help to relieve symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, irritability and many other symptoms which are heightened by stress (Winston, 2019). Emotionally there could be too little emotional response in general along with depression, pessimism, low mental focus and sometimes low self-esteem and low motivation.

Principle herbs in the nervine trophorestorative category are: Avena sativa, Verbena officinalis, Hypericum perforatum, Stachys betonica and Scutellaria lateriflora (Holmes, 2007).

Avena sativa (Oat seed)

Avena sativa is a sweet and moist herb, and it is the fresh ‘milky’ juice from the immature seed that is used in herbal medicine as a nervine trophorestorative (Winston, 2019). High in trace minerals including silicone, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron and potassium, C-glycosyl, polysaccharides, alkaloids, proteins, flavonoids, saponins, fixed oil and starch. Its actions on the body are nourishing, restoring, thickening, solidifying, relaxing and stimulating (Holmes, 2007). Avena sativa is indicated for tissue states of dryness and atrophy, they are strengthening to those with sympathetic dominance and fattening to those with parasympathetic dominance (Wood, 2004). Individual indications are hysteria and insomnia, irritation and depression with menstrual cramps, nervous exhaustion and debility from chronic disease, emotional disturbance and neuroses (Priest and Priest, 2000). All constitution types would find wellbeing from this herb but patients who are classed as cold and dry (Melancholic) would specifically see benefit (Holmes, 2007; Hedley, 2002). Avena sativa has no known contraindications or major safety issues and there are no quality or adulteration issues with this herb (Bone, 2007) however gluten intolerance must be a consideration. Therapeutic efficacy in vitro has shown Avena sativa to improve overall mental fitness and in stressful situations supports cognitive performance. Additionally clinical trials have confirmed it to specifically interact with brain neurotransmitters and structures that are involved in motivation, memory and cognition, displaying an ability to mediate a balancing and strengthening effect on the mind and brain (Al-Snafi, 2015).  Avena sativa ranks among one of the most grown crops and, from an environmental perspective, emission load is reduced by 15.46% when an organic farming system is used for growth, showing this way of growing to be environmentally friendly and economically efficient (Jelínková et al., 2016). 

Verbena officinalis (Vervain)

Verbena officinalis is a bitter, cool and somewhat pungent herb that can also be neutral, and it is the herb that is used in herbal medicine. High in iridoid glycosides (verbenaline, verbanine, verbascoside, bastatoside), essential oil (including citral), tannins and mucilage. Its actions on the body are stimulating, relaxing, dissolving and dispersing (Holmes, 2007). Verbena officinalis is indicated for extremists who suffer from strong opinions that they wish to force onto others, for those who are intensely driven but lack the energy to sustain that drive, for a mind crowded with thoughts and for tissue states of constriction and atrophy (Wood, 2004). Individual indications are nervous depression and weakness, debility and convalescence, difficult menstruation and hormone regulation (Priest and Priest, 2000). There are no contraindications with this herb however it has been shown that Verbena officinalis when taken as a tea reduced the absorption of iron by 59% from a bread meal compared to that of a water control in adult volunteers, this indicates a potential interaction for taking iron supplementation simultaneously with this herb so therefore it should not be taken at the same time (Bone, 2014), quality issues with this herb are the potential for adulteration with other species of Verbena (Bone, 2007). Therapeutic efficacy of Verbena officinalis has been tested against saline and diazepam and has shown Verbena officinalis demonstrates anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and sedative effects validating its use in medical application of numerous neurological complaints such as insomnia and anxiety (Khan et al., 2016).

Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort)

Hypericum perforatum is a slightly bitter fragrant herb and it is the flowering tops that are used in herbal medicine (Winston, 2019). High in essential oils (including sesquiterpenes and germacrene), tannins, flavonoids (including rutin and phlobaphene) polyphenolic flavonoid derivative, rhodan, red dianthrones (hypericin and pseudohypericin), resins, carotenoids, xanthones, pectin, alkoloid, stearic/palmic/myric acid and hypeforin. Its actions on the body are relaxing, restoring, stimulating and astringing (Holmes, 2007). Hypericum perforatum is indicated for tissue states of atrophy (Wood, 2004) and not just the emotional side of the nervous system but also for nerve pain and nerve damage (Winston, 2019). Individual indications are emotional disturbance and depression, involuntary movement disorder and as a sedative nervine for muscular twitching (Priest and Priest, 2000). All patient constitution types would find wellbeing from this herb but patients who are classed as hot and wet (Sanguine) would specifically see benefit (Holmes, 2007; Hedley, 2002). Contraindications for Hypericum perforatum are verapamil, imatinib, irinotecan, HIV drugs, methadone, cyclosporin, digoxin, anticoagulants and the oral contraceptive pill, caution must be used with all other drugs and excessive sunlight should be avoided, quality issues with this herb are that it can contain subtherapeutic quantities of the constituent hypericin in commercial crude herb raw material (Bone, 2007). Therapeutic efficacy of Hypericum perforatum has been well documented and the underlying workings are well acknowledged, the constituent hypericin has been seen to have a strong affinity for sigma receptors, which regulate dopamine levels and the constituent hyperforin, by allowing serotonin to bind to 5-HT receptors, alleviates symptoms of depression (Klemow et al., 2011). Economic cost of Hypericum perforatum has shown it to be a cost-effective alternative to general antidepressants due to improved outcomes for the patient and reduced incident of adverse effects (Solomon et al., 2013).

Stachys betonica (Wood betony)

Stachys betonica is a slightly bitter, cool herb which can be neutral, and it is the herb that is used in herbal medicine (Winston, 2019). High in tannins (15%), alkaloids (including betonicin, stachydrin, trigonellin and turicin), glycosides, caffeeic acid and minerals (including magnesium, manganese and phosphorus). Its actions on the body are restoring, relaxing, stimulating, astringing, calming and dissolving. Stachys betonica is indicated for nervous tension, unrest and depression, tension headache and migraine, chronic stress and palpitations (Holmes, 2007). Patient types who would see particular benefit from this herb are those who are hot and wet (Sanguine), and those who are hot and dry (Choleric) with heat being a strong indicator (Holmes, 2007; Hedley, 2002). There are no known contraindications or major safety issues and there are no quality or adulteration issues with this herb (Bone, 2007). Therapeutic efficacy of Stachys betonica has been proven as the glycosides have shown hypotensive action by unblocking constrictive blood vessels (Šliumpaitė et al., 2013) which is what is thought to have a positive impact on nervous tension, stress and palpitations. It has been noted in the past that use of Stachys betonica has decreased over the years and is now thought of to be of ‘very little value’ however, it is in common use amongst herbalists in the UK (Tobyn et al., 2011).

Scutellaria lateriflora (Skullcap)

Scutellaria lateriflora is a bitter, cool herb which can be neutral, and it is the herb that is used in herbal medicine (Winston, 2019). High in flavonoids (including baicalin and scutellarin), essential oil, fixed oil, albumen, tannin, lignin, zinc, silicon, iron, calcium/potassium/magnesium phosphate and potassium/magnesium sulphate. Its actions on the body are relaxing, restoring, stabilising and stimulating (Holmes, 2007). Scutellaria lateriflora is indicated for tissues states of dryness and atrophy (Wood, 2004), for nervous irritation of the cerebrospinal nervous system. Individual indications are nervous exhaustion, post fever nervous weakness, emotional disturbance and agitation, insomnia and nightmares (Priest and Priest, 2000). Scutellaria lateriflora is suitable for all patient types (Holmes, 2007; Hedley, 2002) and has no known contraindications or major safety issues, however this herb is often adulterated with other species of Scutellaria or Teucrium species (Bone, 2007). Therapeutic efficacy has been proven in a double blind, placebo-controlled study showing Scutellaria lateriflora has noteworthy anxiolytic effects as it enhanced mood without a reduction in cognition or energy (Brock et al., 2014). A study has predicted that the demand for Scutellaria lateriflora in the global markets will increase on average by 20-30% and that it is one of the most traded skullcaps in herbal medicine, however due to adulteration with other species analytical methods of distinguishing raw plant material are proving expensive and additionally mores studies are required to discern soil types and geographical regions where it can be grown as a commercial crop (Sherman and Nirmal, 2022).

In addition to the principle herbs in the nervine trophorestorative category there are other categories of herbs such as adaptogens, nootropics and restorative tonics (Winston, 2019) that compliment nervine trophorestoratives and it is paramount there is awareness of these, how they interact and how they specifically nourish and maintain nervous system tissue. In England each year 1 in 4 people will suffer a mental health problem of some kind and 1 in 6 people report having experience of depression or anxiety in any given week. With the overall number of people suffering with their mental health increasing in recent years (Mind, 2020) and no less than 80% of people worldwide using herbal medicinal products and supplements as part of their healthcare (Ekor, 2014) nervine trophorestoratives are likely to become more and more popular, and necessary, in the future.

References

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Bone, K. (2007) The Ultimate Herbal Compendium, Queensland, Phytotherapy Press. 

Bone, K. (2014) A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs: herbal formulations for the individual patient, Missouri, Churchill Livingston.

Brock, C., Whitehouse, J., Tewfik, I. and Towell, T. (2014). ‘American Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of its effects on mood in healthy volunteers’ Phytotherapy research, vol. 5, pp. 692–698 [Online]. Available at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23878109/ (Accessed 19 December 2022).

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Holmes, P. (2007) The Energetics of Western Herbs, 4th edition, California, Snow Lotus Press, Inc.  

Hechtman, L. (2018) Clinical Naturopathic Medicine, Australia, Elsevier Health Sciences.

Hedley, C. (2002) Galenic Humours [Online]. Available at https://www.americanherbalistsguild.com/files/journal/Vol%203%20No%201/Galenic%20Humours.pdf (Accessed 12 December 2022).

Jelínková, Z., Moudrý, Jan., Bernas, J., Kopecký, M. and Konvalina, P. (2016) ‘Environmental and economic aspects of Triticum aestivum L. and Avena sativa growing’ Open Life Sciences, vol. 11 [Online]. Available at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312075139_Environmental_and_economic_aspects_of_Triticum_aestivum_L_and_Avena_sativa_growing (Accessed 19 December 2022).

Khan, A. W., Khan, A. and Ahmed, T. (2016) ‘Anticonvulsant, Anxiolytic, and Sedative Activities of Verbena officinalis’ Frontiers in Pharmacology, vol. 7 [Online]. Available at Frontiers | Anticonvulsant, Anxiolytic, and Sedative Activities of Verbena officinalis (frontiersin.org) (Accessed 19 December 2022).

Klemow, K.M., Bartlow, A., Crawford, J., Kocher, N., Shah, J. and Ritstick, M. (2011) Medical Attributes of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) [Online], Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, 2nd edition, Boca Raton (FL), CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Chapter 11. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92750/#ch11_sec10 (Accessed 19 December 2022).

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Priest, A. W. and Priest, L. R. (2000) Herbal Medication A Clinical and Dispensary Handbook, Devon, The C. W. Daniel Company Ltd.

Sherman, S. and Nirmal, J. (2022) ‘Current status of research on medicinal plant Scutellaria lateriflora: A review’ Journal of Medicinally Active Plants, vol. 11 [Online]. Available at https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1194&context=jmap (Accessed 19 December 2022).

Šliumpaitė, I., Venskutonis, P. R., Murkovic, M. and Ragažinskienė, O. (2013) ‘Antioxidant properties and phenolic composition of wood betony (Betonica officinalis L., syn. Stachys officinalis L.)’ Industrial Crops and Products, vol. 50, pp. 715-722 [Online]. Available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S092666901300441X (Accessed 19 December 2022).

Solomon, D., Adams, J. and Graves, N. (2013) ‘Economic evaluation of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) for the treatment of mild to moderate depression’ Journal of affective disorders, vol. 148(2-3), pp. 228–234 [Online] Available at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23291009/ (Accessed 19 December 2022).

Tobyn, G., Denham, A. and Whitelegg, M. (2011) Stachys officinalis, wood betony [Online], Medical Herbs, Churchill Livingstone, chapter 29, pp. 307-316. Available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780443103445000343 (Accessed 19 December 2022).

Winston, D. (2019) Adaptogens Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, Vermont, Healing Arts Press.

Wood, M. (2004) The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism, California, North Atlantic Books.