By Dr. Sherry LaBeck, ZRT Laboratory
O sleep, O gentle sleep,
Nature’s soft nurse, how have I frighted thee,
That thou no more wilt weigh my eyelids down
And steep my senses in forgetfulness?
— William Shakespeare, Henry IV
A good night’s sleep is important to health. During sleep the body is in an anabolic state when energy conservation, tissue repair and growth take over. Body temperature drops, growth hormone is secreted and immune cell production is increased. Sleep is essential for a healthy body and a peaceful mind.
Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep and affects roughly 50% of all adults. As many as 10% of adults with sleep problems have chronic insomnia, defined as disrupted sleep occurring at least 3 nights per week and lasting 1–3 months. While there are numerous and varied reasons for sleep disturbances, a common denominator is physical, emotional or mental stress to the nervous system.
If you want to understand the hormonal picture behind your sleep difficulties — including melatonin, cortisol and cortisone rhythms — our Sleep Hormone Test (UDH I) measures these key sleep-wake hormones from a simple at-home dried urine collection, providing a clear biochemical picture of what may be driving your insomnia.
What Are Nervines?
Nervines are the botanical world’s answer to insomnia, with actions that have a beneficial and sometimes tonic effect on the nervous system. Some herbs promote relaxation supporting a natural sleep, while others act as a sedative or hypnotic (promoting deep sleep). Still others nourish and restore balance to the nervous system. Nervines also have antispasmodic and analgesic properties when muscle tension or pain is the reason for sleeplessness. While nervines act primarily on the nervous system, there is a close interface with the adrenal glands — so nervines can also be a key component of adrenal support formulations.
9 Herbal Nervines for Sleep and Nervous System Support
California Poppy
The California poppy (Eschscholtzia californica), considered a non-addictive alternative to the opium poppy, is used for its anxiolytic, anodyne and sedative (hypnotic) properties. One of the oldest North American remedies for stress-induced maladies, Native Americans used the leaves to ease toothache and colic pains. A German prescription drug containing California poppy was found to interact with opioid receptors, which may explain some of the plant’s medicinal actions. California poppy should be used cautiously as it can interact with CNS depressant drugs and sedative medications such as benzodiazepines.
German Chamomile
German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) has a well-known reputation as a gentle sedative for children and is commonly used for anxiety and insomnia. Apigenin and luteolin, flavonoid constituents of chamomile, have demonstrated anti-anxiety and slight sedative activity, likely due to modulating the GABA-A receptor. A rat study also showed a reduction of stress-induced plasma ACTH after inhaling chamomile oil vapour, revealing a normalising effect on cortisol production. In a clinical trial, chamomile extract produced a significant reduction in generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms over an 8-week period, comparable to conventional anxiolytic drugs without the adverse side effects.
Hops
The hop plant (Humulus lupulus) has been used traditionally for sleeplessness and excitability. The herb is used extensively for the treatment of insomnia, having a marked relaxing effect upon the central nervous system. It acts to ease tension and anxiety, especially where tension leads to restlessness, headache and possibly indigestion. In one study, hops in combination with valerian was found to improve sleep latency and quality of sleep. Hops should be used cautiously in people with a marked degree of depression.
Kava
Kava (Piper methysticum) was discovered in the Pacific Islands, where it has been used historically for religious ceremonies and social gatherings. Its key constituents are resins known as kava lactones. Primary effects of kava are a decrease in anxiety and relaxation of the body without loss of mental acuity. Studies suggest kava lactones can bind to GABA-A receptors. In a placebo-controlled trial, kava extract shortened the ability to fall asleep and the light sleep phase, lengthened the deep sleep phase, and decreased the duration of wakeful phases. Kava has also been shown to decrease anxiety and improve cognitive performance without causing sedation.
Lavender
As a gently strengthening nervous system tonic, lavender is used to relieve states of nervous debility and exhaustion. It also soothes and promotes natural sleep.
Lavender (Lavendula officinalis) has a long history of medicinal use. As a gently strengthening nervous system tonic, lavender is used to relieve states of nervous debility and exhaustion. Effective for headaches especially those related to stress, it also soothes and promotes natural sleep. A human trial using 80 mg oral lavender oil showed beneficial effects on disturbed sleep and somatic complaints in patients with GAD, with a significant anxiolytic effect also reported.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a calming herb historically used to reduce stress and anxiety and promote sleep. A 2011 pilot trial demonstrated a significant improvement in anxiety manifestations and associated symptoms and insomnia — after 15 days of treatment, insomnia was reduced by 42%. In a study assessing an herbal combination for sleep disruption accompanying menopause, 100 women were evaluated. The group given a remedy containing both lemon balm and valerian revealed a significant improvement in sleep quality compared to the placebo group.
Oatstraw
Oatstraw (Avena sativa/officinalis) has been used historically as a remedy for nervous debility and exhaustion, where the nervous system needs ‘feeding’ or strengthening due to stress. As a tonic nervine it is almost nutritional in its effect and is considered extremely safe. It has a specific indication for insomnia where “waking in the small hours of the night after going off to sleep easily” is the problem. Oatstraw is considered safe for everyday use; however, people with coeliac disease should be cautious due to possible cross-contamination with gluten cereals.
Passionflower
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has a long history of use for insomnia, epilepsy and mania in Central and North America. It is considered by many herbalists as the herb of choice for unyielding insomnia and aids the transition into a restful sleep without a ‘narcotic’ hangover. One study investigating its effects on sleep quality suggests consumption of an aqueous extract showed a benefit to sleep quality in those with mild sleep problems. This herb often works synergistically when combined with other nervines.
Skullcap
Skullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia) is a classic nervine tonic. Its sedative and antispasmodic properties help relax nervous tension while revitalising the central nervous system. Useful for pre-menstrual tension, skullcap has a specific indication for the treatment of seizure disorders. One study using skullcap indicated a significant enhancement of mood, though the authors stated that further assessment of its anxiolytic effects was warranted.
Valerian
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has long been used as a mild sedative and is one of the most effective relaxing nervines. Its actions include anxiolytic, mild sedative, hypnotic and spasmolytic effects. In a German trial of over 11,000 patients, ingestion of an aqueous extract aided participants in falling asleep, improving the continuity of sleep and decreasing restlessness and tension. Another trial showed improvement in sleep latency time and sleep quality in elderly patients with symptoms of sleep disturbance. Valerian increases slow-wave sleep (SWS) but does not alter REM sleep, differentiating its mode of action from that of benzodiazepine-type drugs.
The Role of Hormone and Neurotransmitter Testing in Sleep Support
While herbal nervines act primarily on the nervous system, there is a close interface with the adrenal glands and the HPA axis. Chronically elevated cortisol — driven by ongoing stress — is one of the most common hormonal drivers of insomnia. Our Adrenal Function Saliva Test Kit (LCMS) measures cortisol at four time points across the day alongside DHEA-S — identifying whether adrenal dysregulation is contributing to your sleep difficulties.
For those whose sleep issues may be linked to imbalances in GABA, serotonin or other neurotransmitters that the nervines above target, our Neurotransmitter & Dried Urine Hormone Test measures dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, GABA and glutamate alongside urine hormones — with specialist interpretation included — providing a comprehensive neurochemical picture to guide targeted herbal and nutritional support.
References
- Chevallier A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Hoffmann D. The New Holistic Herbal.
- Mills S, Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy, 1st & 2nd Editions.
- Emser W, Bartylla K. Improvement of sleep quality. Effect of kava extract WS 1490 on the sleep pattern in healthy subjects. Neurologie/Psychiatrie. 1991;5(11):636–642.
Originally by Dr. Sherry LaBeck, ZRT Laboratory. Reproduced with permission. Last reviewed: May 2026.