GABAergic herbs to get to know for Anxiety, Stress, & C-PTSD

​As promised to this Conscious Moonstration cohort, but also because phew, do we need this type of support right now during these genocidal witnessing times, I wanted to share this
info on the power of GABA plus an ample, albeit non-exhaustive list of herbs that are worth getting to know if you are looking for something that will work with your brain to help create more of a sense of calm.

About GABA

GABA is the acronym for y-aminobutyric acid, which is a neurotransmitter or a chemical messenger in the brain. In fact it is the primary one that promotes a calming affect and relaxes muscle tension. GABA is known for producing a calming effect. It’s thought to play a major role in controlling nerve cell hyperactivity associated with anxiety, stress and fear.
There are two types of GABA receptors on nerve cells — GABA-A and GABA-B. Although they work in different ways, when GABA binds to these receptors, it decreases the responsiveness of the of the nerve cell. This means that as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA lessens the ability of a nerve cell to receive, create or send chemical messages to other nerve cells. A quality often lacking in those of us who struggle with anxiety, stress, panic disorders, irritability, PTSD, C-PTSD, insomnia other mood disorders and more...

Getting GABA

Foods that either contain GABA or boost its production are: fermented foods like miso, tempeh & kimchi, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts,  brown rice, soy and adzuki beans, chestnuts, sweet potatoes & sprouted grains
There is also a plethora of medications that act on GABA receptor sites however they do come with a host of side effects. Interestingly, the most common one I have received from clients is "not feeling like myself anymore" or "feeling completely numb." There is also a GABA supplement however the jury is still out on whether or not it is even able to cross the blood-brain barrier and actually get to where it needs to get in the brain. 
We also have a long list of beautiful herbs that we evolved with that bind to GABA receptors in our brain, bringing sensations of calm & soothing with them...

Herbs that Help Bind To GABA Receptors

All of the herbs on this list have long ancestral histories of being used to calm the body, mind & spirit.

However, these all have also been studied and have been found to do so specifically by binding to GABA receptors in our brain. These herbs can help reduce symptoms of panic disorders, stress-induced hypertension, insomnia, muscle pain, and muscle tension due to emotional turmoil or stressors.

This includes the anxiety, irritability, insomnia, stress, panic, or turmoil that comes with PMS, PMDD, Perimenopause or Menopause.

Note: Those who are pregnant, on medications or have bipolar disorder or schizophrenia should consult a doctor before working with any of these herbs. Please always consult your primary care doctor before adding any herbs to your care plan. This should not be taken as medical advice.

Getting to Know Yourself & the Plantitas

Each of these herbs have their own personality and profile... just as you do. Anxiety, mood disorders, irritability etc all show up differently in every body. So taking time to pause and be curious about where and how exactly your experience is triggered and then emanates is crucial for knowing what path to follow for herbal support. And in the same way, getting to know the plantitas, their personalities, the way they grow, how & where in your body they tend to concentrate, and what energetics they bring is crucial in choosing which plantita is right for you. So building relationahips with the plantitas you work with is always crucial.
Getting to know them just as much as you get to know yourself while diving into self-study as much as you dive into herbal-study is crucial.

It is also always recommended to begin with a "simple" or a tea/tincture/smoke medicine that focuses on just 1 herb at a time so that you can perceive how it interacts with your organism.

For example, if you tend towards anxiety with obsessive thoughts, Passionflower or Valerian Root would be the route for you. Or if your anxiety presents itself with a sense of weakness and fatigue, Lemon palm or Ginseng wouold be a better approach. Or if it is something that arises with PMS or perimenopause, Hops or St Johns Wort would be a better route... and it all also depends on your general health, the contraindications of herbs, making sure you do not have any conditions or are not on any medications that would be impacted by the use of these herbs, and understanding the proper dosage. 

Just like everything in Conscious Moonstration, the key is self-study, compassionate curiosity, and consciously & responsibly walking your path with sovereignty over your own health. 

However if you would like support in navigating which herbal protocol or formulas would be ideal for you, or navigating another path of how herbalism intersects with mental or menstrual health, those are my specialties so you can always book a consultation here: https://www.bloodmoonhealing.com/store/p85/Consultations.html
Hope this proves to be a good launching point for your adventure with plantitas.
Tiahui! 
#herbalism #anxiety #Herbalism #ConsciousMoonstration #mentalhealth #menstrualhealth