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Page 16
| Flatulence: balm, chamomile, hops, hyssop, lavender, motherwort, mugwort, valerian. |
| Hypertension: linden, motherwort, passionflower, scullcap, valerian. |
| Asthma: lobelia, motherwort, wild cherry bark, wild lettuce. |
| Menstrual cramps: black cohosh, blue cohosh, crampbark, motherwort, skullcap, valerian, wild lettuce. |
| Nervine stimulants. Direct stimulation of the nervous tissue is not often needed in our times of hyperactivity. It is usually more appropriate to stimulate the body's innate vitality with the help of nervine or bitter tonics, which work by augmenting bodily harmony and thus have a much deeper and longer-lasting effect than nervine stimulants. In the last century much more emphasis was placed by herbalists upon stimulant herbs. It is, perhaps, a sign of the times that our world is supplying us with more than enough stimulus. |
| When direct nervine stimulation is indicated, an herb to use is kola nut, although guarana, coffee, maté, and tea should also be remembered. A problem with these commonly used stimulants is that they have a number of side effects and can themselves be involved in aggravating psychological problems such as anxiety and tension. |
| Some of the herbs rich in volatile oils are also valuable stimulants; among them the commonest and best are rosemary and peppermint. |
| Antispasmodic |
| In addition to the herbs that work directly on the nervous system, the antispasmodic herbswhich affect the peripheral nerves and the muscle tissuecan have an indirect relaxing effect on the body. When the physical body is at ease, a relaxed psyche follows. Many of the nervine relaxants have |
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