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Herbs & Cultures

Herbal home remedies: tea, honey, tincture and salve

Nerve tincture

A tincture of calming herbs.

Used for

Time
Steep 2–4 weeks
Makes
One bottle
Chamomile

Chamomile, lemon balm, lavender and oat straw, with a small part of passionflower. Because of the alcohol not suitable for children, during pregnancy or when you have to drive.

Ingredients

  • 1 part chamomile
  • 1 part lemon balm
  • 1 part lavender flower
  • 2 parts oat straw
  • ¼ part passionflower
  • 40% alcohol (see the method)

Step by step

  1. For fresh herb use 1 part herb to 2 parts alcohol (40%), for dried herb 1 part to 5 parts.
  2. Clean fresh herbs, remove damaged parts and chop them finely.
  3. Put the herbs in a clean jar, leave about 2.5 cm of space and pour the alcohol over them until everything is covered.
  4. Close, shake, label with the date and leave to steep in a dark, cool place for 2 weeks to a month; shake now and then.
  5. Strain through cheesecloth, wring out well and pour into a dark dropper bottle with a label.
  6. Take 3–8 drops, 2–8 times a day until the complaints fade, diluted in water, tea or juice if you like.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 19

    Chamomile

    Matricaria chamomilla (Duitse kamille)

    Flowers are used in teas and topical or oral products. Reliable evidence is insufficient for most claimed conditions.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 85

    Lemon balm

    Melissa officinalis

    Traditionally used for restlessness, sleep problems and a nervous stomach; externally for cold sores. Small studies suggest a mild calming effect, but evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 44

    Lavender

    Lavandula angustifolia

    A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 66

    Oats

    Avena sativa

    Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 154

    Passionflower

    Passiflora incarnata

    Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

These traditions know the herbs in this recipe.