Have you heard that women on oral contraception, i.e, “the pill” should not concurrently take St. John’s wort because they could actually get pregnant? Ever wonder why? Keep reading for the answer…

I first heard this possibility years ago – that women on contraceptives actually WERE getting pregnant when also taking St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum). This was before I went to school to study herbal medicine. It was in graduate school that I learned how the body metabolizes certain substances and clears them out for excretion.

First a primer on human physiology. The liver is the work-horse of detoxification in the body. Among its many important functions is detoxification, and it does this in two main phases. Phase I uses enzymes called Cytochrome (CYP) 450 to break down pharmaceuticals, hormones, and unrecognized substances in the body. Phase II, also known as conjugation, allows for the transport of such chemicals or hormones through the bloodstream to the kidneys for excretion. Some schools of thought consider the process of excretion, itself, as Phase III.

Back to St. John’s wort and contraceptives. Birth control pills contain various estrogen hormones such as estradiol. These estrogens are normally broken down by particular CYP450 enzymes. (There are a number of different enzymes in this class.) As it turns out, St. John’s wort has been observed to induce a select number of these enzymes; that is, St. John’s wort activates them such that there are more available to break down any substance they act upon. The result is that the substance, in this example the estradiol, is metabolized and excreted faster than intended due to the increased enzyme activity.

The result is that the actual level of estradiol circulating in the body is lower than the therapeutic level of effectiveness of the oral contraception. Therefore, the less estradiol in circulation could mean a higher risk of getting pregnant if concurrently taking St. John’s Wort and oral contraception.

Here’s a nice article from Pharmacy Times that provides a little more information on the effects of St. John’s wort on drug clearance . This finding is unfortunate, because St. John’s wort is often used to alleviate symptoms of depression, which is often a symptom of pre-menstrual syndrome. So, it might be natural for a woman to try St. John’s wort to help with mood disturbances related to her cycle. If she is also on contraceptives, this is generally not a good idea because of the risk described above. However, under appropriate care of a trained professional, dosages of both the birth control pills and the St. John’s wort may be modulated such that a therapeutic dose may still be achieved.

You may be wondering whether St. John’s wort interferes with ALL medications. The answer to this is ‘no’. St. John’s wort only interferes with substances that are broken down by the particular CYP450 enzymes that St. John’s wort acts upon (e.g., CYP3A4 is the primary enzyme affected by St. John’s wort, as well as CYP2C9). Other drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 include: SSRI/SNRI antidepressants, anticonvulsants, some statins, proton-pump inhibitors, and many more. My go-to online resource for drug information, rxlist, has more specific information about drug interactions with St. John’s wort. If in doubt, consult with your health-care practitioner before taking St. John’s wort.

Donna Koczaja, M.S., RH(AHG) graduated from Maryland University of Integrative Health (formerly Tai Sophia Institute) with a Master of Science in Therapeutic Herbalism and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Clinical Herbalism. She earned Registered Herbalist status from the American Herbalists’ Guild in 2018. Originally educated as a mechanical engineer, she combines the rigor of her original scientific training with the traditional healing art of herbal medicine to partner with her clients to uncover the root cause of their underlying health issues. Also a Master Gardener since 2008, her primary interest is in inspiring others to improve their health and sense of wellbeing through the joys of gardening and the power of natural medicine. Read more about her, what she does, and why she does it at www.greenhavenliving.com, or contact her directly at greenhavenliving@gmail.com, 240-353-8754.

Alex asks “I am a male, age 29, 160 lbs. I am looking for a way to lower my sex drive through herbals.”

So, we don’t get this question very often, but it’s actually not uncommon issue.

The first thing Alex needs to determine is whether his sex drive, a/k/a libido, is abnormally high due to an endocrine imbalance (or for any other reason), or if it falls in the “normal” range, but he’d just like to lower it. My suggestion to him is to first find a competent endocrinologist and get a thorough examination.

Whatever the reason, here are two herbs that can help lower testosterone, thus lowering libido. Both work either directly, or indirectly, by raising estrogen levels in the body. The higher the estrogen, the lower the testosterone.

Hops (Humulus lupulus, Family: Cannabanaceae)

Part used is the strobile (female flower)

Caution: the hops flower is a mild nervous system depressant and thus it should not be taken with benzodiazepines or any sedative medication. Caution should be used in pregnancy.

In olden days when monks made beer from herbs, hops was one of the ingredients used. It was noticed over time in those monks harvesting the strobili tended to have a much lower sex drive than did the other monks. It was many centuries later that scientists identified the polyphenol, xantholhumol, as having estrogenic activity, especially in the fresh strobili. Now we know that fresh hops can exert an estrogenic like effect and thus potentially lower libido.

How to take hops? If you like beer, then you will want to find the “hoppiest” beer available. This is usually your IPA beers. If you want to take the herb, I would recommend either taking it in capsules or in tincture form as it is quite bitter as a tea. Hops is also a mild sedative, helps with upper and lower digestion, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus, Family: Labiatae),

Part used is the fruit (berry)

The eclectic doctors used to use chaste tree berry to repress libido. Today, we know through in vitro studies that chaste tree has a dopaminergic effect which in turn inhibits prolactin release from the anterior pituitary. Okay—what does that mean exactly? Simply put, it means that when levels of prolactin decrease, the levels of sex hormones — estrogen in women and testosterone in men decrease. (www.mayoclinic.org). Both men and women (as well many species) have prolactin. It not only stimulates milk production in woman who have given birth, but it has been shown to play a role in our immune system.

Caution: chaste tree is best not taken in conjunction with any progesterone or contraceptive drugs, or with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It may interact as an antagonist with dopamine receptor antagonists. Do not use during pregnancy.

Chaste tree can be taken as a tea, a tincture or in pill form.

Where to find hops or chaste tree berry? If you want the dried herb, try Mountain Rose Herb. If you are looking for supplements, try Vitacost.com.

Thanks for the question! Jayne

Jayne Tamburello has a Master’s Degree in herbal medicine, is a certified nutritionist (CNS) and is a licensed nutritionist dietician (LDN). She is also a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild RH(AHG) and is the founder of Invibe Herbal and Providence Health and Healing. Jayne lives is Sussex County, Delaware with her two children.

People are often exposed to the world of herbal medicine in a varity of ways – they read an article about an herb that sounds like a good fit, see a display in a local store, a friend or practitioner recommends an herb for this or that condition and so on. . .

Then, one day it occurs to them that they’re taking 4 or 5 different herbs and they begin to wonder “is it okay for me to be taking multiple herbs? Can herbs interact with each other?” We have received a few questions about herb – herb interactions, so, here are some tips from a professional herbalist on combining herbs:

In general, herbs are quite safe. However, like many things, they exist on a spectrum from food herbs (think garlic and cinnamon) to very potent herbs that should only be taken under the guidance of a knowledgable herbalist (for example, poke root and pulsatilla herb). Herb – drug interactions are not very common and herb – herb interactions are even less common. Also, keep in mind that responses vary widely from person to peron. Regardless, a good general precaution is to fully understand the actions and energetics of the herbs you consume. I recommend consulting with a professinal herbalist, and/or, doing your own research using reputable sources such as these books available at Mountain Rose Herbs.

Here are some important considerations:

1. Herbal pharmacology & actions: Herbs contain hundreds to thousands of constituents and we don’t always know exactly how each one works from a pharmacological perspective. Also, most medical practitioners are not properly trained in herbal medicine. So, talking to your doctor and looking into the actions and pharmacology of each herb won’t always provide you a lot of information. However, you will find ‘actions’ listed for most herbs. For example, turmeric is anti-inflammatory, black cohosh has hormone modulating and spasmolytic properties or actions, fenugreek seed is nutritive and digestive. And so on. As you learn the actions of each herb, keep in mind that you generally do not want to add in multiple herbs with overlapping actions because of their synergistic effects. A well-known example of this is taking St Johns Wort and SSRI anti-depressants, or, even riskier, adding in multiple anti-depressants as these can lead to serotonin syndrome.

As herbalists, we are essentially match makers who pair the person to the herbs that best match the individuals’ physical and energetic needs at that time.

2. Herbal energetics: if you’re a person who runs cold and dry and you start adding in herbs that are primarily cooling and drying then the synergistic effects of these plants may exacerbate the cold and dry issues in your tissues. For example, you run cold, have dry skin and tend to be depleted. You learn about nettles‘ nourishing qualities and begin enjoying the tea daily. Then, you add in peppermint because you love the taste. You learn about sage being helpful for hot flashes so you pluck it from your garden and add it into the mix. You’re fighting a cold and add in echinacea and elderberry. While each of these herbs may have helpful properties or actions from a physiological perspective, they’re all on the cooling and drying end of the spectrum so they may aggravate your system by moving it further into that cold and dry pattern. One way to address this is to add herbs that are the opposite of your constitutional pattern to balance your formula, in this case warming and moistening herbs such as cinnamon or marshmallow + ginger. Or, thanks to the bees, you can add some honey (be sure to obtain it from a reputable source too!).

One reader specifically asked about drinking both black cohosh and fenugreek teas. First of all, high five if you’re really drinking black cohosh tea! The taste is not for the faint of heart! In my research, I found no contraindications between black cohosh and fenugreek.

In conclusion, in terms of safety, combining herbs is an important consideration, but not as serious a concern as making sure you are consuming herbs that are of high quality. It’s best to consult with a professional herbalist and use herbs that have been properly identified and, if manufactured, done so by a company that adheres to the current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and screens for microbial contamination, heavy metals, pesticides and mycotoxins. I encourage you to call manufacturers and ask them what testing they conduct on their products if you have any questions or concerns.

à Votre Santé,

Amyamycharnay.com

Herbalist Judy Smith writes in to say how herbs and a healthy diet saved her dog’s life.

Our Chloe, a cock-a-poo, even at eleven years old, had the temperament of a puppy. Yet it was around this age and after moving several times, that we had noticed a change in her temperament and habits. Now, it seemed as if she always needed to go out to pee, was always drinking water and eating her food with voracity, and yet, was losing weight and vigor. Her lethargy got so bad that I feared the worst—some sort of toxin was poisoning her, or worse, she had cancer.

In two months’ time, she had lost 7 lbs. (20% of her body weight) and need to wear doggie diapers for urinary incontinence. Our veterinarian was at a loss for diagnosis and suggested we take her to the Veterinary Hospital. There, she was stabilized after 28 hours and we were given her diagnosis: “Your dog is diabetic”. I was relieved at this news as diabetes is a manageable condition.

Our vet had seen Chloe develop cataracts and associated them and Chloe’s weight gain with a potential to develop diabetes. Unfortunately, I had not taken this forecast warning seriously. Note to all pet owners: get your pet’s weight under control as they are subject to the same ailments as us, humans.

Today, 2.5 years later, Chloe is doing well with twice daily insulin injections. Herbs were selected with a focus on supporting digestion and immune system. For ease of delivery, these herbs are incorporated in her food. Her diet consists of my home made dog food that provides key nutrients that are well documented for effective management of type 2 diabetes (soluble fiber, chromium, B vitamins and choline).

DIGESTIVE AND IMMUNE ENHANCING FORMULA FOR DOGS

Barley provides an abundant source of mucilaginous soluble fiber that is important to modify glycemic index and glycemic load. Further, barley is an excellent source of the minerals chromium, magnesium and potassium.Chromium is vital in blood sugar control functions and is the key constituent in the glucose tolerance factor; it works closely with insulin in glucose uptake in cells. Likewise, magnesium improves insulin response and action. Potassium is essential in nerve conductivity, blood pressure control and general fluid homeostasis. The niacin (vitamin B3) and folate (vitamin B9) content of barley is also important in dietary management of vascular health in diabetes.

The celery and carrots included in Chloe’s food also provide soluble fiber and many important vitamins such as vitamins A, K, C, B9, and E. All of these vitamins, as antioxidants, support wound healing, tissue and vascular strength.

Choline is another essential nutrient/vitamin in the dietary management of diabetes. Chicken (thighs) is a food with high amount of choline. Choline is helpful in many metabolic functions in the liver, nerve and lung tissues. It is often given to manage chronic hepatitis, fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. The chicken also provides lean protein and collagen (chondroitin sulfate).

My selection of herbs for Chloe’s food was borne out of convenience and has its roots in European herbal and culinary knowledge. The herbs focus on supporting digestion and immune system and include the following: basil, parsley, summer savory, rosemary, thyme, lavender and bay leaf. You are correct if your recognized this blend as the classic Herbs de Provence (+ bay). While each of these herbs has individual merits there is overlap in their actions that are desirable for a diabetic dog. The actions are as follows: digestive, carminative, antiseptic, vermifuge, appetite stimulant, nutritive and aid in the assimilation of nutrients.

Thanks! Judy

Judith Fox Smith, MS, is the founder of Foxsmyth Herbal, in Stoneham, MA. Judy is a biological research scientist and clinical herbalist. She is the founder and past president of the Eastern PA chapter of American Herbalist Guild, the Herb Gatherers of Lansdale, PA and past Vice President of San Antonio Herb Society. She combines her knowledge of biology and botany with her passion to provide practical herbal and lifestyle recommendations for a holistic balance in today’s techno-driven world.

I make an eyebright tea from ground eyebright to use as an eyewash for my dogs cataracts. Can the tea be stored in the fridge safely for any amount of time when using it this way?

Yes. I like to make large batches of tea, too, it’s just easier. Most herbal teas can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. In your case, you might want to consider making herbal ice cubes. Just let the tea cool, strain and then put the tea in an ice cube tray and place in the freezer. Once frozen, just put in a plastic bag or cover it so that it stays clean. Uses as needed.

To know more about eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis), click to this link: https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/e/eyebri20.html

Finally, here is an eye wash that I like to use for for tired, itchy or inflamed eyes:

External Eye Wash Tea

Equal parts of:

Bring water to boil and add herbs; turn off heat and let steep for 20 minutes with cover on. Strain thoroughly. Can put in the refrigerator to make it cold or fill ice cube trays and freeze. If liquid, dip a clean cloth in tea and place over one or both eyes, as needed.

A subscriber writes in and asks:

“My mother has restless leg syndrome. She is 86 years old and it is difficult for her to sleep. Her doctor prescribed Mirapex (Pramipexole) 0.125. She takes 1 tablet before bedtime. It is not that effective. Do you have any herbal recommendations that may help?”

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a common and uncomfortable condition for which western medicine does not generally offer many solutions. It is not well understood, though we know that it involves nervous system misfiring which causes symptoms including itching, muscle tension and more.

RLS may be associated with vitamin and mineral deficiencies, so, it’s a good idea to get some basic blood work to check for deficiencies such as iron and vitamin D.

Pramipexole works by producing effects similar to dopamine and since that isn’t working for your mother I recommend considering a herbal and nutritional approach to calm & soothe the nervous system, here are some options that I have seen help many of my clients:

1. Magnesium: this extremely important and calming mineral can be a game changer for those with RLS. I recommend taking it internally as well as topically, before bed (i’ll get to dosing below).

A calcium deficiency is also associated with muscle tension. Aim for 1,000 mg of calcium per day, taken with the magnesium around dinner time. This liquid Cal:Magproduct by Integrative Therapeutics is high quality, well tolerated and easily absorbed and conveniently has both calcium and magnesium in equal ratios. Drink this with dinner for best assimilation.

Externally, I recommend applying this magnesium cream on the feet or legs before bed. If the recommended dose isn’t effective, feel free to increase the dose as it is very safe and many people are deficient in magnesium.

2. B Complex – B vitamins are crucial for nervous system health and deficiencies are associated with muscle twitching and tingling. My clients love this Thorne Basic B complex. Take 1 cap with a meal.

3. Herbs that tonify and relax the nervous system:

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): this Ayurvedic herb supports sleep, nervous system and adrenal health. I recommend adding this high quality powder from Banyan Botanicals to warm milk with some cinnamon and enjoying before bed.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata). Passionflower is soothing and calming to the nervous and musclature systems. Enjoy this tasty and calming Sleep & Relax tea by Gaia Herbs an or so before bed. You can make it concentrated to avoid drinking too much water and thus having to get up to pee during the night!

With the above recommendations, your mother should notice results within a few weeks.

Good luck and sweet dreams,

Amy

You brew a big batch of herbal tea and then put it in the fridge to enjoy later. Nice! But then you pull it out a few days later and see floaties….hmm, were those there before? Is it safe? What to do? Check out these tips from a professional herbalist, on how to store your herbal tea.

Many of you have written in to ask about the recommended storage time for herbal teas, for maintaining both potency and safety. The short answer is this — brewed herbal tea, whether you have made it to drink or plan to use it topically, or in other preparations — can be stored in the refrigerator: 1-3 days. Here’s why and how to tell if it’s gone bad.

Herbal tea is made of all kinds of plant parts — roots, barks, leaves, flowers, stems, seeds, berries, fruits, rinds, hulls or fungi — any of which, like vegetables and fruits, could get contaminated with bacteria somewhere along the way from the field or forest to your kitchen.

Hopefully you are buying high quality herbs from companies with excellent food handling practices, in which case, the likelihood of contamination is low. And, since tea is typically brewed with boiling water, most microbial contamination would be destroyed then. However, brewed tea is relatively unstable and it’s wise to keep an eye (and nose) on it.

The longer a batch of tea sits in your fridge, the more chance it has to pick up microbial contamination or even other flavors. Plus some of the medicinal components – all those amazing phytochemicals – may begin to break down with time and it just won’t taste as nice. And, If you are using the tea in a topical preparation, you definitely don’t want to risk introducing bacteria to whatever it is you are trying to heal.

Signs that your tea has gone bad:

Ropey strands or other floaters in the teaThick or cloudy appearanceSmells sour

When in doubt, dump it out.

Ideally, I’d recommend brewing a quart of tea daily, rather than brewing bigger batches to store. Fresh is just better.

A very simple way to get daily herbal tea brewing into your routine is to prepare and refrigerate the tea in the evening. Then you start each morning with a quart of tea that will last you the day.

If you are adding tea to your smoothies, and brewing tea daily feels too time consuming, you could try freezing tea in ice cube trays to use later. These would keep for a few months.

For tips on brewing a batch of medicinal tea, check out this post for all the details. And if you have further, questions…AskTheHerbalists!

Be well, Tara

, MS Herbal Medicine, is a Clinical Herbalist in Seattle, WA.

Ready to move beyond the tea bag and brew herbal teas for their incredible medicinal qualities? Here’s some “herbal tea brewing 101” advice, from a clinical herbalist.

The secret to effective medicinal herb teas is to use the optimalmethod and brew time, by preparing either an infusion for delicate plant parts (leaves, flowers) or a decoction for tougher plant parts (barks, roots, fungi).

How to make INFUSIONS – An infusion is a water extract used for delicate herbs; boiling water (or sometimes cold)* is poured over the herb and the herbs then steep, covered. It is typically used for the delicate plant parts like leaves and flowers – think, mints, rose, nettles; but there are exceptions. Herbal legend Michael Moore compiled this list as guidance.

Standard Ratio: 1-3 Tbs. herb to 8 oz. water, or for a larger batch: 1/4 cup-3/4 cup herb to 1 quart water. (If the plant parts are small/compact then less herb is needed; if they are fluffy then more herb is needed; a scale can also be used if you know how many grams/oz are suggested for the herb you are brewing.)

Boil water in a pot or use the instant hot water if you have it at your office or in your kitchen.Pour recommended amount of boiling water over the herbs and cover. Steep, covered for 10-30 minutes, depending on the herb.Remove herbs (this is important – keeping them in too long can affect flavor and bring out undesirable compounds) – use a strainer or press if using a french press.Add additional water to return tea to original volume.

*Certain herbs are better prepared as a cold infusion, like marshmallow root and comfrey root. Check out another helpful list from, Michael Moore.

How to make DECOCTIONS – A decoction is used for the tougher plant parts. Herbs are simmered in boiling water for 10 -20 minutes. A decoction is typically used for barks, roots and seeds, like Wild Cherry Bark or Licorice root, but again, there are exceptions. (here’s a great table of herbs that are best decocted) and another useful list from the generous Michael Moore is here.

Standard Ratio: 1 tsp – 1 Tbs herb (depending on desired strength) to 8 oz water, or for a large batch: 3 tsp – 4 Tbs. per quart of water

Place herbs in pot and cover with cold water.Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer, then cover.Simmer, covered for 10-20 minutes.Remove from heat and strain out herbs.Add enough water to return to original water volume.

Now you know the inside scoop on how to properly brew a batch of medicinal tea.

Enjoy and be well, Tara

, MS Herbal Medicine, is a Clinical Herbalist in Seattle, WA.

Holy basil aka Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is such a versatile herb that it is also called ‘The Incomparable One’ and ‘The Elixir of Life’. We’ve written about holy basil bringing peace to mind and spirit, and about holy basil and diabetes. And, there is so much more to share on this plant.

Studies based on real people have found that holy basil….

decreases cholesteroldecreases blood pressurelowers uric acid in gout and inhibits swelling and painincreases Natural Killer Cells that remove foreign cells, such as cancer cells or inflammatory agentsincreases T-helper cells that play an important role in your immune responseimproves mood and/or cognitive functioninglimits anxiety and lowers stress (1).

One study that jumped out to me was the one focusing on people diagnosed with Generic Anxiety Disorder (GAD) (2). All participants experienced a lower level of GAD, less stress, less depression and an increased willingness to adjust to changes after taking holy basil (3). A pleasant ‘side effect’ of this herb, no matter what the reason you are taking it, is your mood improves!

And there is more! Holy Basil is an adaptogen.

Herbalist and expert on adaptogens, David Winston, has led the field in defining adaptogens and appropriate uses. His research of world traditions and experience has helped people understand that an adaptogen is a substance that helps the body adjust to multiple stressors, brings balance to the body’s systems and helps us adapt to environmental and internal stress (3). If your body is overreacting to a stressor, an adaptogen can be calming; if you need to react, adaptogens can stimulate your energy. Adaptogens help keep your body within a range of normal. This is a concept that is not used in modern Western medicine, and is probably the reason holy basil research rarely studies this directly.

Jamshidi (1) explains the broad effect of holy basil by linking the diseases mentioned in the opening paragraph to immune deficiency. One study with people confirmed the immune balancing effect— the study had 22 healthy volunteers take an alcohol extract from holy basil leaves for 4 weeks and the blood analysis afterwards showed a considerable improvement in their immune factors, including their interferon and interleukin levels (4). Also, there is a broad arsenal of laboratory studies confirming the immune supporting effect based on studies of the individual essential oils in the herb (5).

While there are no studies that confirm the adaptogenic effect specifically, the multitude of actions found in so many studies indicate a very broadly working herb that influences a multitude of bodily functions. And its the historical use and revered status in the Ayurvedic tradition confirm that many, many, many generations of have found it has served them well. Personally, I have seen very good results supporting menopausal complaints, specifically mood swings and energy.

How to use and take Holy Basil

Holy basil, in the Western world, is often found in supplements, commonly combined with other herbs – like this nice one from Gaia. It is also very easy to make the leaves into a tea with a beautiful rich taste with a little spicy undertone. We grow it and sell it in blends at our farm in Maryland, and you can also find it easily at herb shops or online (Mountain Rose Herbs is a good source).

There are three types of holy basil. If you grow it, make sure you grow holy basil rama — it is an easy to grow herb with a strong medicinal value.

In the kitchen, holy basil can be used instead of basil. Add a few leaves to your salad or combine it with cheese. Keep in mind the taste is stronger and can be overwhelming. A great use of holy basil is to combine it with good quality dark chocolate. If you make brownies, simmer ½ tablespoon ground up dried holy basil in the regular amount of butter or oil you would use for a standard size brownie and bake it as usual.

There are so many ways to enjoy and benefit from this amazing plant! An easy start, would be to pick up box of tea from Organic India’s Tulsi line.

Herbalist Henriette den Ouden and her partner Chris own Habanera Farm, a Maryland herb farm producing teas. Habanera Farm also offers herbal and nature classes and a possibility to come and enjoy a rare stillness. Henriette has a degree from Maryland University of Integrative Health and is a practicing herbalist. For more information: and for their teas: or follow at Facebook.

Jamshidi, Negar and Cohen, Marc; “The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of Literature; in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine”, Vol 2017, Article ID 9217567Bhattacharyya D1, Sur TK, Jana U, Debnath PK; “Controlled programmed trial of Ocimum sanctum leaf on generalized anxiety disorders”; in Nepal Med Coll J. 2008 Sep;10(3):176-9.Winston, David, Steven Maines; “Adaptogens. Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief’; Healing Art Press, 2007Shankar Mondala, Saurabh Varmab, et al.; “Double-blinded randomized controlled trial for immunomodulatory effects of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) leaf extract on healthy volunteers”; in: Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 136, Issue 3, 14 July 2011, Pages 452-456Mondal S1, Mirdha BR, Mahapatra SC.; “The science behind sacredness of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.)”; Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2009 Oct-Dec;53(4):291-306.

A subscriber wrote in asking “how do essential oils affect the brain?” Essential oils (EO’s) are wildly popular and, as a clinical herbalist and aromatherapist, I get asked questions ALL THE TIME about them. One of the most common questions I hear is “do they work?” And “how do they work?”. In short, the brain (as well as the nervous system) is powerfully impacted by EO’s, let’s explore exactly how. . .

EO’s are secondary metabolites from plants – they manufacture them to ward off predators and microbes, amongst other things. So, EO’s are inherently anti-microbial. They’re also very fragrant, obviously. So, how do these molecules interact with human physiology via inhalation?

Our sense of smell has a uniquely powerful effect on the brain. We all know that scent can trigger both memory and emotion — the smell of freshly baked goods reminding us of holiday dinners; One sniff of a rose and we’re transported back in time and in the room with our grandmother applying her face cream. So, what, exactly, is this connection between our emotions, brain and aromatherapy? And how can we use it to our benefit?

Well, when we smell an aromatic plant, the EO’s travel into the nasal cavity, along the olfactory nerve and directly into the brain, easily passing the blood brain barrier due to their minescule size and lipophilic (fat loving) nature. Our brains and nervous systems are wired to respond rapidly to assess smelly situations (i.e. I smell smoke, is there a fire?). Our emotional response to a scent is very individual and based on our life experience, culture, and more. We learn to associate smells with feelings and these associations can last a lifetime. In fact, this association is so strong that psychologists are researching it as a therapeutic tool. So, we can empower ourselves to use scent in a therapeutic way on our own. . .

Inhaling a fragrance can support the mind & emotions in several ways: 1) Brain & nervous system support: many EO’s are naturally calming and centering. Think: lavender,chamomileand geranium rose(tip: Geranium Rose is very easy to grow and smells AMAZING!). 2) Scent recall: introducing a scent in a certain mental or emotional state encourages reproduction of that state when smelling the scent again in the future! So, feel free to choose your own scent adventure! For example, I grab a rosemary sprig and smell it when I research or study since rosemary enhances memory and mental focus. Then, when I teach classes, I bring some rosemary with me to support recall.

3. Vagus nerve tonification: the vagus nerve is very long meandering nerve that plays an important role in balancing our nervous system, stress response and emotions. Trauma and prolonged stress or tension can cause a lack of vagus nerve tone and, surprise!, aromatic and bitter plants support re-tonification of this nerve! A balanced and tonified vagus nerve = less reactivity and increased ability to self soothe. Again, choose your favorite natural fragrance to support tonification of the vagus nerve.

Note: a key word here is NATURAL as synthetic chemical fragrances actually damage our nerve cells. Be sure to read labels — the popularity of herbs and essential oils has resulted in a lot of faux natural products on the market, including very popular cleaning products that contain a little EO + high amounts of synthetic fragrance.

And, you don’t need to buy expensive tiny bottles of oil! In fact, I worry a lot about the popularity of essential oils and plant sustainability. For example, it takes 40 rosebuds to make 1 drop of rose essential oil! A more sustainable approach is to add 1 rosebud to your daily tea, sit down and take a nice deep nasal inhale while drinking. This way you get aromatherapy AND internal benefits of the herbs! In addition to being a better option for the planet, this is also a much safer way to use aromatic plants since EO’s are VERY concentrated and potent. For children and pets I generally recommend avoiding EO’s. Instead, add a cup of concentrated lavender and chamomile tea to the bathwater — this is a wonderful way to calm and soothe little ones safely.

When you drink your tea or soak in an aromatic bath, inhale deeply and enjoy knowing that you’re supporting:

– both brain & nervous system relaxation (limbic system & vagus nerve tonification).

– emotional and mental centering and balance.

Oh, and, a word on bitters, in addition to supporting vagus nerve tonification, they also support gut health and a happy gut = happy brain and nervous systems!

Want to learn more about essential oils? I highly recommend these quality sources: The Tisserand Institute

Be well, Amy