Nervous System Support
Nervous System Support
The events of 2020 and beyond have affected us in a myriad of ways. For me, it was a wake up call to my nervous system, a rite of passage through the shadow of humanity, and an invitation to a new threshold of healing.
I’ve been forced to adopt new ways — new supplements, detox protocols and lifestyle practices. Throughout the process, I’ve been guided by intuition and prayer over dogma.
In this article I’ll summarize what I’ve done that helped and hindered. Hopefully someone can benefit.
DIET:
I found more protein in the form of red meat has been grounding for me. I ate a lot of chili with local angus ground beef this winter. Eating meat has such a profound effect on me. If I eat it more than 2-3 days in a row, I feel energetically heavy. Choosing the right foods via intuition and prayer and ditching all dogma has helped me immensely in this area. I’m a huge believer in the energetics of food (TCM); some are warming, cooling, others neutral.
SUPPLEMENTS:
Nervine Tonics – Oat Straw tea and Milky Oats tincture
When I first started to address my nervous system, I used Valerian, Passionflower and Hops. Being new to Western, single-ingredient herbalism, I didn’t know these are all sedatives. They worked for a time, but can also have a paradoxical effect on some people. They became so stimulating and caused insomnia. What a pain! I did a consult with an herbalist who suggested the family of nervine tonics.
Nervine tonics are less fast-acting. They rebuild and nourish the nervous system through their mineral rich compounds and micronutrients.
1. Brew Oat Straw tea (1 TBSP infused overnight in 4 C boiling water) and sip throughout the day.
2. Milky Oats tincture is much stronger. This brand seems to be one of the most potent. If you take too much, you may feel flat affect. I consider this a big gun and don’t use it that often now.
Cracked Spore Reishi
Reishi is considered an immortality tonic in TCM. It’s an immune booster, and also heightens ‘shen’, the third treasure associated with spiritual radiance. Ordinary reishi powder is widely available now but it’s my understanding that you want cracked spore reishi only (bioavailability). This is the only brand I like.
LIFESTYLE PRACTICES:
Standing Tai Chi Meditation
On days when I did not feel like moving, I did this. This practice is profound and powerful. I like to do it outside but indoors in a sunbeam is also very nice.
This Yoga Practice
I designed this practice specifically for nervous system support. It supports your kidney meridian (adrenal system in Western medicine), is anti-aging given the head is below the heart, and relieves tension and swelling in the legs. At the end of the practice we do a scalp massage to relieve over-thinking and boost hair health. I really love this practice. (40 min)
I designed this practice specifically for nervous system support. It supports your kidney meridian (adrenal system in Western medicine), is anti-aging given the head is below the heart, and relieves tension and swelling in the legs. At the end of the practice we do a scalp massage to relieve over-thinking and boost hair health. I really love this practice. (40 min)*Temporary Cessation of all caffeine (Puerh, Oolong and Black tea) – I absolutely love tea but I had to remove all stimulants for a period. I’m happy to report that I can now enjoy a morning Raw Puerh which is so enlivening.
HOMEOPATHY:
Blackbird Homeopathy
I found David Shein in the Homeopathy subreddit. He was consistently educating members as well as answering questions with a generous spirit. I found him to be a great listener, open-minded and wonderful person to work with.
VAGUS NERVE STUFF:
Tongue practice–stick out tongue with moderate effort. Visualize releasing from base to tip. When my nervous system is fried and I’m unable to sigh or yawn, this is my go to. You can find many videos on this. Some people grab the tongue with a paper towel and ‘wag’ it side to side.
Breath Technique–take 2 sips in through the nose, exhale through a tiny straw (pursed lips). Repeat for 2 -3 minutes.
Armpit Hug–cross arms and place hands under armpits. 4 fingers under armpits, thumb in front.
FLOWER ESSENCES:
Lotus Wei – take their flower quiz and see which flower/s you most resonate with. I like the Self-Heal and Joy Juice elixirs.
Golden Hour Energetics – I like Body Ease.
Have a trusted supplement or practice that supports YOUR nervous system? Let me know; I’d love to hear it.
Namaste, Catherine
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Catherine Tingey
Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
About the Author
Catherine Tingey+ Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
