Herbal Tea Blends
Sip & Learn
By Neuroscientist and Herbal Nervine Educator Dr. Lindsey Smith
Why Herbal Nervines?
Dr. Smith received the DRHS Herbal Medicine Making Intensive Scholarship in 2023 and continues to create formulas and educational materials through her work with Deep Roots Herb School.
With a deep interest in nervous system health, stress resiliency, and human physiology, she created the Edu-Tea series. It highlights ingredients in her favorite herbal nervine tea blends and shares this knowledge from the apothecary with the public in one accessible place.
Sip & Learn: Educational Tea Blend Series
HERBAL NERVINES EDITION: Herbal Tea Blends to Relax and Learn With
With Dr. Smith’s Edu Teas, discover herbal blends that belong in your daily ritual of calm. Each tea supports mood, focus, sleep, and overall wellbeing.
In the sections ahead you will find introductory herbal education, links to trusted herbal databases, and recommended resources for deeper learning.
Custom Edu-Tea Blends available for purchase in-person at Cha House (Bham, AL) and by request to synapticharbor@gmail.com
Online Tea Shop
(Coming Soon)
Ways To Enjoy
Click to enlarge instructions
*While the tea blends created by Synaptic Harbor are safe for most people, and are blended for daily use, each person is responsible for consulting a qualified healthcare professional and using their own judgment before using herbal products, especially if they have medical conditions, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking medications.
Intro to Herbal Nervines
What are Nervines?
Nervines, simply put, are herbs known to relax, stimulate, or support the human nervous system.
How do they work?
Nervines are a very broad category, but in general they affect receptors on nerve cells, neurotransmitters, and other aspects of the nervous system and can be grouped by their action into
"anxiolytics, hypnotics, nerve stimulants, narcotics, nootropics, analgesics, and antidepressants"
(Dr. Sharol Tilgner; Herbal ABC's 2018)
What are some common Nervines and what are they used for?
Note: some herbs can be found in multiple categories
Anxiolytics (anti-anxiety): California poppy, cat nip, chamomile, hops, lavender, lemon balm, linden, motherwort, passion flower, st. john's wort, skullcap, valerian
Nervine Stimulant (awakens & stimulates): Cocoa, Coffee, Guarana, Green Tea, Yerba Mate
Analgesic/Anodyne (pain relief): Cordyalis, Kava Kava, Jamaican dogwood, St. John's Wort, Cramp Bark, Valerian, Wild Lettuce, Willow
Antidepressant (relieve feelings of depression): Black cohosh, Clary sage, Damiana, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Oats, Rosemary, Saffron, St. John's Wort, Vervain
Nootropic/Neural Trophorestorative Nerve Tonic (improve cognitive function and performance): Amla, Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Holy Basil, Gingo, Lion's mane, Ginseng, Gotu kola, Roseroot, St. John's wort, Turmeric
*Note you can find more extensive information on each herb in the trusted Herbal Databases linked near the end of this article.
Herb
Guide
Explore the herbs in your herbal nervine tea blend.
Information on additional herbs can be found in the trusted herbal databases and books linked at the end of this page.
Custom Tea blends available in-person only at Cha House (Bham, AL) or by request synapticharbor@gmail.com
Current Tea Blends Available: Calm I Sunset Blossom I Harmony
Recommended Books & Resources
Information in the current Herb Guide is consolidated and sourced from these well-trusted expert-written Herbal Textbooks.
Lavender
Lavandula agustifolia
Plant Family: Lamiaceae
Parts Used: Flowers
Uses: anti-inflammatory, carminative (eases bloating), diuretic (reduce excess fluid), mild sedative for nervous exhaustion, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), relaxant
Dosage: 1-2 teaspoons per cup of water; 1-4 times per day
Conditions for use: anxious, nervous, headache, insomnia, post-traumatic stress, muscle spasms and stammering, digestive system support.
Contraindications (when not to use): pregnancy and breastfeeding
Chamomile
Matricaria recutita
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Parts Used: Flowers
Constituents: apigenin, quercitin, patuletin, luteolin, alpha-bisabolol, matricin, azulenes, chamazulene.
Uses: Anti-spasmodic (relieves or prevents muscle spasms), Anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation and swelling), Anti-allergenic (reduces or prevents allergic reactions), Analgesic (relieves pain), Carminative (relieves gas and bloating in the digestive tract), Sedative (calms or induces sleep), Anxiolytic (reduces anxiety).
Dosage: 1 large tablespoon per cup of water, infused for 10 minutes; 1-4 times per day.
Conditions for use: restless, irritable, sensitive to environmental lights/sounds/smells, gut issues, ADHD/ADD, nervousness, insomnia, stress,
Contraindications (when not to use): Aster allergy
Rose Petal
Rosa spp.
Plant Family: Rosaceae
Parts Used: Flowers, hips
Constituents: bioflavinoids, vitamin c (hips)
Uses: Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidepressant, astringent, aphrodisiac, nervine
Dosage: 30g dried petals in 1 liter hot water; 2-3 cups daily
Conditions for use: anxiety, depression, digestive ulcers/leaky gut, skin care, emotional support/grief
Contraindications (when not to use): may reduce iron absorption in large doses
Hibiscus
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Plant Family: Malvaceae or mallow family
Parts Used: Flowers and calyx (sepals)
Constituents: anthocyanins, quercitin, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and allo-hydroxycitric acid lactone
Uses: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, hepatoprotective, hypotensive (blood pressure lowering), diuretic, ACE inhibitor, cardioprotective
Dosage: 1 tablespoon per cup of water; 2 times per day
Conditions for use: To lower blood pressure and cholesterol, free-radical protection, mild nervine and nervous system tonic
Contraindications (when not to use): Low blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension
Holy Basil
Plant Family: Lamiaceae
Parts Used: Aerial (above ground)
Constituents: Flavinoids, tannins, triterpenes
Uses: Adaptogen, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, carminative, immune amphoteric
Dosage: 4-8 ounces; 3 times a day
Conditions for use: Reduce feelings of stress, increase digestion, cerebral circulation, memory, concentration
Contraindications (when not to use): No known warnings
Lemon Balm
Plant Family: Lamaiceae (mint)
Parts Used:
Constituents: Volatile Oils, rosmarinic acid
Uses: Nervine, anxiolytic, antiviral, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, carminative, antidepressant
Dosage: 8 ounces 1-4 times daily
Conditions for use: Anxiety, digestive complaints, stress-related digestive upset, low mood
Contraindications (when not to use): Generally safe with no known warnings. May interact with CNS depressant drugs
Exploring the Wonderful World of Herbs
Want to take a deeper dive into the wonderful world of herbalism, but not sure where to begin?
Herbalism is a deeply complex, whole-body, multi-systems specialty and therefore the in-depth knowledge and expertise needed to practice adequately and safely should not be left up to Artificial Intelligence, which is known to hallucinate and make up information.
First Up:
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Join a real-life in-person "Plant Walk" with an accredited Herbalist
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Take an online or in-person class with Deep Roots Herb School (by Cameron Strouss, B.S., FH, RH (AHG), Aroma), or an accredited herbalist in your area.
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Learn from the experts (Books, Herbal Databases, etc.), not AI.
You will get the most practical herbal instruction by doing hands-on activities with a real-life expert.
Knowledge as an empowering and joyous lifelong pursuit:
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Use the herbal databases and reference books as a starter guide, and let your curiosity guide your search
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Listen to expert interviews and podcasts (I'd recommend starting with Herb Reality, Herbs with Rosalee, and Herb Radio)
*Disclaimer
The information, programs, and materials provided by Dr. Smith, including all offerings within the Protect Our Brains™ Programs, are intended solely for educational and informational purposes. These resources are designed to support and complement, not replace, appropriate medical care and well-rounded healthy lifestyle practices (What are well-rounded healthy lifestyle practices? See Dr. Smith’s Guide to Adaptive Neuroplasticity, coming late 2026).
By engaging with these materials, participants acknowledge that they are using them as supportive educational tools and accept full responsibility for their own health decisions.
External Links and Recommended Resources
This website may contain links to external websites, recommended books, herbal databases, and other third-party resources for informational purposes. These resources are provided solely as a convenience to readers.
Dr. Smith is not affiliated with, compensated by, or financially supported by the authors, publishers, or creators of these external materials unless explicitly stated. Dr. Smith does not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or opinions expressed within any third-party content. The inclusion of any external link or recommendation does not constitute an endorsement of all views, claims, products, or services presented therein.
Users are encouraged to independently evaluate all external information and consult appropriate professionals before making health-related decisions.