Home Remedy for Bad Nerves

The nervous system tells our bodies when and how to respond to stress. The stress of everyday life can wear on your nerves and cause a continual stress response in your body, which can contribute to other health issues such as lowered immunity, muscle tension, depression and even cancer. There are ways to lower your stress and soothe your nerves that can easily be done in your own home.

Chamomile

• Drink chamomile tea. Chamomile has long been used to help calm the mind and body. You can get chamomile tea in tea bags at the grocery store, buy chamomile flowers loose at health-food stores and use in a tea strainer, or even grow the sweet-smelling flowers yourself.

Deep Breathing

• Take deep, even breathes. When you are stressed or nervous, your body tends to take short, shallow breathes. By forcing yourself to breathe in to a count of three or four--then exhale to the same count-- you increase oxygen intake and send a calming message to your nervous system.

Aromatherapy

• Surrounding yourself with soothing smells will help calm your nerves. Lavender, orange, bergamot and patchouli will help ease your stress. Simple things like peeling an orange or brewing your favorite tea and inhaling the scent you create can be helpful. Be mindful of smells that lift your spirits, and purposefully create them in your home.

Herbal Remedies

• Herbal remedies are easy to use at home. You can grow many of them yourself, or look for them at health-food stores. St. John's wort, valerian root, ginger and passionflower are a few that help soothe nerves. Terra Firma Botanicals offers a variety of stress remedies and herbal health products.