Nervines Explained: Traditional Herbs for Stress, Anxiety & Nervous System Support
Nervines Explained: Traditional Herbs for Stress, Anxiety & Nervous System Support
Ever find yourself realizing your shoulders are tense, your jaw is clenched, and your mind won’t slow down?
In this episode of Womenfolk Revival, Meara and Maggie explore simple, traditional ways women have supported the nervous system for generations. From calming herbs known as nervines to humming, breathwork, grounding, and EFT tapping, they discuss practical tools that can be used throughout everyday life when stress begins to take over.
Meara shares her perspective as a nurse on why it’s important not to dismiss physical symptoms as “just stress,” while Maggie discusses breathwork, movement, and the small practices that help bring the body back into balance.
Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, caregiving, a busy household, or simply feeling overwhelmed, this conversation offers gentle reminders that sometimes the smallest practices can make the biggest difference.
In This Episode
• What nervines are and why they’ve been used traditionally for nervous system support
• EFT tapping and how it may help interrupt racing thoughts
• Grounding and spending time outdoors
• Humming and the connection between breath, vibration, and relaxation
• Simple breathing techniques for stressful moments
• Why many women become shallow breathers over time
• The importance of knowing your health baseline and working with your healthcare provider
• Essential oils traditionally used to create a calming environment
• EFT tapping and how it may help interrupt racing thoughts
• Grounding and spending time outdoors
• Humming and the connection between breath, vibration, and relaxation
• Simple breathing techniques for stressful moments
• Why many women become shallow breathers over time
• The importance of knowing your health baseline and working with your healthcare provider
• Essential oils traditionally used to create a calming environment
Resources Mentioned
• EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques)
• Grounding / Earthing
• Breathwork and Box Breathing
• Vagus Nerve Support Practices
• Edgar Cayce A.R.E.
• Mountain Rose Herbs
• Grounding / Earthing
• Breathwork and Box Breathing
• Vagus Nerve Support Practices
• Edgar Cayce A.R.E.
• Mountain Rose Herbs
EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques)
Research suggests EFT may help reduce anxiety, stress, and burnout symptoms in some individuals.
- NIH / PubMed Research Library: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): https://www.nih.gov/
Breathwork & Slow Breathing
Studies suggest slow breathing may help regulate the autonomic nervous system and support relaxation responses.
- NIH Research Database: https://www.nih.gov/
- Cleveland Clinic – Breathwork & Stress Relief: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22666-breathwork
Humming & Vagus Nerve Support
Humming may naturally lengthen the exhale and support vagal tone associated with relaxation.
- Cleveland Clinic – Vagus Nerve Overview: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21279-vagus-nerve
- Cleveland Clinic – Stress & Nervous System Regulation: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/
Grounding / Earthing
Research is still emerging, but some studies explore potential effects on stress, sleep, and inflammation.
- NIH Research Portal: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- Overview of Grounding Research: https://www.nih.gov/
Edgar Cayce A.R.E.
A research and education organization inspired by Edgar Cayce’s work.
- Edgar Cayce Association for Research & Enlightenment (A.R.E.): https://www.edgarcayce.org/
Herbal & Natural Wellness Resources
- Mountain Rose Herbs: https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/
Episode Conversation Highlights
Maggie and Meara explore how simple nervous system tools—many of which women have used intuitively for generations—can support emotional regulation in real time.
They discuss how movement, humming, and intentional breathing can interrupt stress patterns, especially during overwhelming or chaotic moments.
Meara shares how shallow breathing can become more common during stress, and introduces box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4) as a grounding tool that can be used anywhere, even in the car.
Maggie reflects on learning structured breathwork and how awareness of movement and breath can shift the body out of a stress response.
They also emphasize the importance of not dismissing physical symptoms and working with healthcare providers when something feels off—especially when anxiety overlaps with physical sensations.
Essential Oils Mentioned
Traditional calming oils discussed include:
• Frankincense
• Sandalwood
• Myrrh
• Vetiver
• Cedarwood
• Patchouli
• Frankincense
• Sandalwood
• Myrrh
• Vetiver
• Cedarwood
• Patchouli
Final Thoughts
Small practices matter.
Whether it’s breathwork, grounding, herbs, or simply noticing your own body, these tools are meant to support, not overwhelm you.
Start simple. Pay attention. Come back to your breath.
And remember: you can support your nervous system while also staying connected to modern healthcare when needed.
If you’re enjoying these conversations, follow Womenfolk Revival wherever you listen so you don’t miss future episodes.
And if this episode helped you, share it with another woman who might need a reminder to slow down and reconnect with herself.
Stay Rooted & Stay Wild 🌿
Creators and Guests
Host
Maggie
Maggie | Co-creator and co-host of Womenfolk Revival. A natural mama and lifelong artist and unconventionalist, Maggie offers conversations that invite reflection, courage and a return to the wild that our Creator gave us to tend.
Host
Meara
Meara | Co-creator and co-host of Womenfolk Revival. A mother of seven, Grandmtother, and LPN with over a decade of clinical experience, Meara bridges medical care with a deep respect for the land. Through intentional rhythm and mindful tending, she invites a return to the quiet wisdom found in nature.