Ask the Herbalist: Herbalism for Trauma

Your herbal questions, answered

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ASK THE HERBALIST

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Today’s question:

Q: I’m currently doing some deep work in regards to trauma. Opening up the box that I’ve kept concealed for my whole life has left me feeling like an exposed nerve. Super vulnerable and anxious. Mentally and I can feel it in my body.

I naturally can assume that nervines would be good support, are there other suggested things we can do to support our system as a whole while uncovering deep wounds? Perhaps nerves that support the heart? In terms of energetics, would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks so much, you’re always on the head <3

A: I love this question. Most of all because it’s a turning toward herbalism for holistic healing where holistic means natural, of course, but also comprehensive. To say that another way: We can, and should, turn to the natural world for health, insights, support, and even when we don’t know what exactly it is that we need. A brief aside: When my Dad died, within minutes of my hearing the news, I went outside. I didn’t know why, or for what, but I knew it was what I needed to do next. I’ll never forget any of those (traumatic, certainly) moments, but especially clear is my memory of sitting on my Brooklyn stoop looking up at the sky through the tree-tops, feeling the soft breeze, listening to the silence, and allowing everything that I felt to merge with nature.

In terms of herbalism for trauma, I would recommend …