Nervous System Nurturers: Herbs for Stress Relief and Emotional Regulation

By Claudia Barton, BCBA, LBA, CTP

The nervous system is the bridge between our inner and outer worlds. When it feels overloaded, stressed, or exhausted, both the body and the skin show signs of imbalance. Certain plants are especially powerful in supporting calm, regulation, and resilience. I call these the Nervous System Nurturers — herbs that quiet the mind, ease emotional tension, and give the body permission to rest.

As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Certified Trauma Professional (CTP), I know that the way we care for our nervous system shapes our behavior, our choices, and even how we show up in relationships. Daily rituals with these herbs are more than skincare; they are a way to reinforce calm through sensory signals.

Here are five key Nervous System Nurturers: Valerian, Passion Flower, Lemon Balm, Skullcap, and Blue Vervain.

Valerian: Deep Rest and Release

Valerian root is one of the most respected nervine herbs. Rich in valerenic acid, it works directly on the nervous system to reduce anxiety, calm restlessness, and support deep sleep. For centuries, it has been trusted as a natural sedative.

Applied to the skin, valerian also soothes irritation and brings a sense of grounding. Symbolically, it carries the wisdom of night — encouraging us to let go of vigilance and allow the body to repair.

In Luna & Lavender™’s Valerian Relaxation Body Balm, this root becomes a tactile ritual at bedtime. The act of applying balm to the skin reinforces to the nervous system: you are safe, you can rest.

Passion Flower: The Quieting Vine

Passion flower is known for calming racing thoughts and reducing overstimulation. Its alkaloids and flavonoids support the GABA system in the brain, creating a natural sense of calm. It is often used for stress, anxiety, and even sleeplessness.

Emotionally, passion flower teaches spaciousness. Like its tendrils that spread wide and open, it encourages us to release constriction and make room for stillness.

In Luna & Lavender™ calming blends, passion flower is both antioxidant-rich for the skin and emotionally expansive for the nervous system.

Lemon Balm: The Gladdening Herb

Lemon balm is sometimes called the “herb of joy.” It calms anxious energy, soothes tension, and uplifts mood. Its essential oils and polyphenols make it a gentle antiviral and skin soother, while also easing the mind.

Emotionally, lemon balm is a heart balm. It helps us remember peace when life feels overwhelming, reminding both skin and spirit to soften.

In Luna & Lavender™ mists and oils, lemon balm is a daily ally for emotional clarity and gentle regulation.

Skullcap: The Quieting Protector

Skullcap has been used for centuries to calm nervous tension, reduce restlessness, and promote deeper sleep. Its flavonoids act as natural anxiolytics, helping quiet mental chatter.

Symbolically, skullcap offers protection. It helps us release what we hold too tightly — stress, fear, or overthinking — and creates a buffer of calm.

In Luna & Lavender™ nervine-focused blends, skullcap teaches the nervous system that rest is not weakness, but restoration.

Blue Vervain: Release and Resilience

Blue vervain is a strong nervine, often used for stress, tension, and feelings of overwhelm. It helps regulate the nervous system when emotions feel “stuck” or bottled up.

Energetically, blue vervain is about release. It teaches us to let go of perfectionism, rigidity, and stress, creating space for emotional resilience.

In Luna & Lavender™ herbal infusions, blue vervain becomes a companion for those who carry too much, helping both skin and nervous system exhale.

Closing Reflection

The Nervous System Nurturers — Valerian, Passion Flower, Lemon Balm, Skullcap, and Blue Vervain — remind us that calm is a practice. These herbs ease stress and tension, creating behavioral rituals that train the nervous system to expect peace. When we pair them with daily skincare and wellness routines, they become more than remedies. They are teachers of rest, resilience, and regulation.

Behavioral Wellness Tip: 
Pair a nightly product like a balm or mist infused with a nervine herb with deep breathing. Over time, your body will learn to associate the scent and touch with relaxation, reinforcing calm through repetition.

 

Back to blog

The Science Behind Health & Wellness

Why behavior matters. Why healing is possible. Why small steps work.

When we think of health and wellness, we often think of the body — nutrition, sleep, hydration, movement. But at the core of every lasting change is something deeper: behavior.

As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Certified Trauma Professional (CTP), I view health and wellness through a scientific and compassionate lens. I don’t just ask what someone is doing — I ask why.

That’s where the real healing starts.

Why Behavior Matters in Wellness

Every time you choose to care for yourself — by applying a salve, setting down your phone, or pausing to breathe — you’re engaging in a behavior. These actions might seem small, but over time, they shape patterns. Patterns become habits. Habits become a lifestyle.

Behavior analysis teaches us that change doesn’t happen all at once — it happens one moment at a time, with reinforcement, consistency, and care.

The Nervous System & Trauma-Informed Support

For many of us, especially those with trauma histories, even the simplest self-care routines can feel overwhelming or unfamiliar. That’s why trauma-informed care matters. It reminds us that healing isn’t just about doing more — it’s about feeling safe enough to begin.

Behavioral wellness honors the body’s signals, works with the nervous system, and builds safety through predictable, gentle routines. When we approach wellness with compassion and structure, we help the body and mind slowly unlearn survival and relearn connection.

The Foundation of Behavior-Based Wellness

In behavior science, we use tools like:

  • Reinforcement to encourage healthy habits (rewarding what we want to see more of)
  • Prompting and shaping to help build routines gradually
  • Environmental design to make wellness easier and more accessible
  • Data and reflection to track what’s working — and why

These aren’t just clinical strategies. They can show up in your daily life as:

  • A lavender roller next to your bed to signal rest
  • A gentle balm you use after brushing your teeth to mark the end of your day
  • A sensory spray that helps your child transition more smoothly
  • A mantra you whisper each morning as a private moment of grounding

Why This Matters

Because true wellness isn't about extremes.
It’s about repeatable, nourishing actions that help you feel more like yourself.

And the science is clear: when we build wellness routines around behavior, not pressure, we make healing more accessible — for children, for parents, for everyone.

This is the foundation of my work and the intention behind every product I create. I want to help you feel safe in your routines, confident in your care, and connected to the deeper why behind the choices you make.

Mini Mantra:

“Small acts. Safe patterns. Lasting change.”

Shop