Today I’m speaking straight from the heart on herbs for emotional overwhelm, burnout, and grief. The following herbal remedies are allies during turbulent times and, while they don’t offer an immediate fix, can be a “ray of sunlight breaking through the clouds.” Accompany a cup of these herbal teas or droppers of tincture with a meditative walk, breathing exercises, grounding, journaling, or as a precursor to gentle aerobic activity, such as yoga or jogging, after a challenging day.

Passionflower and Skullcap: An Evening Elixir

• Passionflower has a unique affinity for relieving circular thoughts and anxiety. A squirt of tincture can soothe distress, while a cup of passionflower tea can help signal it’s time to wind down.
• Skullcap has an affinity for nervous tension and burnout. I often travel with the tincture form to help me wind down and adjust to time zones.
• Both herbs are nervine sedatives, meaning they will help induce restful sleep. They are best consumed in the evening.
• Combine these earthy duos with oat straw for added soothing nervine qualities, balanced energetics, and a nourishing sweet taste. Chamomile is also a welcomed addition for nervous digestion.
• A pinch of licorice root offers adrenal support while balancing energetics and improving taste.

Hawthorn and Nettle: Heart’s Ease and Anger Relief

• Hawthorn is one of our most beloved heart remedies. Not only does it help support the physical heart, it soothes the emotional heart as well. Hawthorn offers wonderful circulatory support for an herbal formula.
• Nettle is my dearest friends when I’m feeling hurt AND angry, particularly when I’m feeling hot with fury (the phrase “easily nettled” comes to mind) As a bonus, its high in vitamins and minerals. Oftentimes it’s hard to take care of our nutrition when we’re feeling deep emotions.
• These two combine nicely any time of day, as they aren’t sedative in nature nor do they contain caffeine.
• Rose offers a welcomed addition to this cup of tea – either in luxurious glycerite form or added to a loose leaf tisane. Rose is the quintessential Venus remedy, and can be incredibly powerful in complex matters of love.

Wood Betony and St. John’s Wort: Grounding Comfort

• When I feel overwhelmed and disconnected, I reach for wood betony. While I’m fully aware herbs do not work instantaneously nor “fix” problems, wood betony has become one of my dearest allies for days when I need a little help finding my feet. It works well for staunching tears that flow endlessly and unexplainably…while that may sound dramatic, I know some of you will read this and nod in understanding.
• St. John’s Wort is a beautiful companion for wood betony. Regular intake will help lift the mood, mild depressive states, and seasonal depression more aptly, but please be aware of the medicinal contraindications. A bright, Sun-ruled herb, St. John’s Wort tea and tincture have helped me enormously.

Holy Basil and Mint: Uplifting Brain Boosters

• Holy basil is a delicious herb all by itself. It makes a fantastic, caffeine-free tisane with so many health benefits they’re impossible to list. Most notably, as an adaptogen, holy basil supports the stress response. It’s both relaxing and uplifting.
• Mint is cooling, refreshing, and supports cognition. On days where your mental space has been completely used up by others, mint can help rejuvenate a “tired mind” – giving you a bit of pep in your step sans caffeine.
• Holy basil and mint are a beautiful pair. I often look forward to drinking a cup of this in between work and exercise, or have it as soon as I’m done for the day as a way to make space for myself after serving others.
• For an added layer of luxury, add a pinch of licorice root for sweetness or a bit of fennel for a twist of flavor and added digestive support.

The best way to find herbal duos and trios that suit your tastes, constitution, and emotional patterns is simply to start experimenting. I hope these remedies offer you the same comfort they have me. This is me reaching out through the radio waves and internet to squeeze your hand and remind you that not only do you belong – you were put here for a purpose. May these plant allies support you on your path. You’ve got this.

XO

Becca

There’s a few lines taken from “Healing” by FLETCHER that have spoken to me lately:

“Breaking down, don’t mean I’m broken….
Losing hope, don’t mean I’m hopeless
And maybe all I need is time
It never happens overnight…

I’ve been feeling
Inside out in my feelings
Upside down, on the ceiling
I’m finally breathing
The smoke ain’t gone, but it’s clearing
I ain’t there yet, but I’m healing”