Emotional First Aid: Botanicals that Support Balancing Emotional Health

By Amy Lupton

When we speak about administering first aid, our first inclination is to tend to something on the body… such as a cut, burn or scrape. Quickly the wound is tended to, maybe an antiseptic and bandaid are applied and then the immune system does the rest.

The injury then heads into auto-pilot, healing from the inside, and in a few days, when the bandage comes off, the wound reveals it has patched up and ready to face the world again.

But what about emotional first aid?

Many times, when an emotional trauma occurs, we don’t deal with it the same way we would bodily first aid. Emotions are shoved down: press on, push past, keep trucking, suck it up.

I deal with this frequently with clients and even in my own life. I think we all have some unresolved emotional trauma to a certain extent, and can come from childhood or adult experiences. I often work with people for years to undo it. Although I spend time working with their energy fields and finding the right botanicals to support them, much of it has to be dealt with on their own. I am just a guide.

We can often recognize that an emotional trauma is occurring (like a death, loss of job, or relationship trouble). Other times emotional trauma can be more subtle, building in the background for long periods of time (sometimes over generations of passed down hurt).

We are energetic and emotional beings, aware and taking in all around us.

As an energy worker, this can be tricky for some to be aware of. We often pick up emotions from others, empathically taking on what they are feeling. Even past memories, smells, sights and tastes can also trigger emotional trauma. If you aren’t aware, it could send you spiraling without knowing why.

Emotional trauma can manifest in many ways, causing pain, anxiety, irritability, panic, disease…just about anything you can think of as a symptom can be a result of emotional trauma. I have had someone come in with leg pain, only to be resolved when some emotional trauma was addressed.

So how do you deal with it? And can the body and heart of emotions work together?

YES!

It is all connected, and you should always be treated and treat yourself as a whole being. Botanicals and herbs can complement nutritional supplementation and energy medicine to effect a change in biochemistry, often making headway in easing emotional trauma. They can often be used in combination with pharmaceuticals or over time try to replace them.

A word of caution: Botanical medicine must be used with the guidance of an expert on plants/nutrient/pharmaceutical interactions. There are many ways they can co exist, but herbs are just as strong as some pharmaceutical medications and should be treated with care. If you are being treated with pharmaceutical meds, please contact your doctor before using.


So now lets talk about how some botanicals can address emotional trauma, and bridge the gap for the mind and body. :) Note: There are many many herbs that can address emotional health, and I will be sharing a few of my faves that I use frequently.

Botanicals that Support Balancing Emotional Health:

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Welcome to the calming ease of chamomile. Folklore tells the story that gamblers used to wash their hands in chamomile tea to make themselves pure before a game. People also used to plant chamomile around their house to ward off any bad magic that could enter the home. The flower name means “energy in adversity” and has always been praised for its calming effects. It is excellent for panic attacks and recurrent panic attacks that have resulted in or stem from emotional trauma. It can also help if you are having trouble sleeping. Especially when the trouble sleeping is from an inability to relax – to let down one’s guard and feel safe in a safe place. This pleasant tasting spiritual herb relaxes your energy, which allows you to become receptive.

Uses: The most popular use is tea, although you can use in bath, tincture form, and in cooking. Liferoot’s fave way to use chamomile is in tea form (adding honey and ginger).

Indications: Safe for children, pets & pregnancy (3rd trimester and on). Patients allergic to plants in the Aster family may experience allergic reactions to chamomile.

Rose (Rosa rugosa)

Rose is all around a tonic plant, good for many levels in the body, mind, and spirit. Common Wealth Herbs describes this amazing herb, “Wild Roses provide cover for small animals from larger predators. Rose works similarly in instances of trauma and distress: providing emotional “cover”; your very own cloud of safe space. Rose can help in the moment of trauma and disaster, and is especially useful for aid workers who are choosing to stay in a less-safe place in order to help others get to safety. Rose is also fantastic for long term recovery, especially when it’s difficult to find emotional protection from recurrent thoughts and memories of the trauma. Rose is great in tea, tincture, or elixir; it’s particularly fun to infuse rose petals in honey.”

This calming nervine is wonderful for the whole family, and can be used as a respiratory and immune aid. And it smells divine. :)

Uses: Making an aerosol spray can be a wonderful way to experience the healing properties of rose. We also have Roses Supposes Toner that is great for the skin and mood!

Indications: Rose is considered safe for children, pets and pregnant and nursing mamas.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow is considered a warrior medicine, making you strong in battle and protected when wounded. It was named after Achilles, the Greek mythical hero who used it to stop the bleeding wounds of his soldiers during the Trojan War in 1200 BC. In Medieval times, yarrow leaves were rolled up and stuffed in the nose to stop bleeding.

Yarrow is fantastic for anyone who feels that they need a little armor, whether that’s because they’re emotionally (or still physically!) wounded from traumatic events. It is also wonderful for fevers.

Uses: Yarrow can be taken as tea, though it is somewhat bitter, or as tincture or flower essence.

Indications: Check with practitioner before use in children or pregnant/breasfeeding women.

Lavender (Lavendula)

Throw the ego aside with lavender. This herb is known for its clarity and accuracy of the mind, casting aside any pride you feel about a situation. Lavender will help you see the real story, the whole picture, in pure light. This is an unbelievable herb for when conflict arises with a relationship, lavender can bring in awareness and clarity. It is also wonderful for contemplation, if truth is needing to be sought out, or remember (great for childhood traumas that the memory isn’t quite clear).

Wearing lavender flowers was quite commonplace in the 1800s, and I think this is a wonderful way to work in lavender when you need clarity and relationship help. I have had people shove a sachet of lavender in their bra, put in their purse or pocket, and let the aroma resonate your mind.

Uses: Worn, Used in Baking, as a tea (wonderful paired with lemon juice), as a tincture. Great in diffusers and used aromatically as an essential oil.

Indications: Safe for children, babies, pregnant and nursing mamas.

Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis)

This is one of my top 5 herbs of all time. It is so diverse, and has so many amazing qualities. Emotionally, lemon balm is wonderful to cool down heated emotions such as anger, fiery rage, or uncontrollable grief. It is great for fits of crying, soothing it to its core. It is a nervine, and can clam almost any condition. I really love this herb for children who might be going through difficult emotional phases such as tantrums or pre-teen anger spells.

Uses: Best in a tea infusion. Overnight infusion and soaking is best, drink in small doses diluted with water. Can add some lemon or honey for children, although most children do not mind the taste. Can keep a fresh leaf of lemon balm on your person, or give to someone in need. Bonus: It’s a great bug repellant in the summer, so keep one planted near outer doorways. :)

Indications: Only use in last few weeks of pregnancy, safe for children. Can be problematic if you have severe thyroid issues, so check with doc before use.

Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Also known as stinging nettle (which causes a stinging sensation when fresh nettle contacts the skin, but not present when dried). This plant is an amazing tonic, great for immune boosting, allergic reactions and seasonal allergy suffering. On an emotional realm, Nettle is great for overcoming things that have “stung” or hurt in your life. It has vast protective properties, and encourages adaptability in tough situations. Its sting reminds you that we all have setbacks, but over time, they heal and become adversities that make us stronger. In traditional folklore, it was used to rid yourself of unwanted emotions.

Uses: A nettle tincture can be very effective when there is a paramount emotional situation that has occurred, If you are trying to clear stuck or past hurts, a tea will work splendidly. Make sure to always get organic nettle, as the non-organic can be quite bothersome for the energetic being.

Indications: Although I feel that nettle is perfectly safe and nourishing in pregnancy/breastfeeding, some herbalists feel that it should only be consumed in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Children over the age of 2 can safely consume nettle, just check with your practitioner before use.

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

According to Traditional Medicinals, “Peppermint is a common yet still powerful spiritual plant that helps motivate and inspire you, bringing you new creative ideas on how to achieve your dreams. It clears and balances the sacral and solar-plexus chakras, lending you confidence and self-esteem. Emotionally, peppermint essential oil helps clear and release emotions of failure, restriction, rigidity and fear of dependence.”

This common plant is found in so many places, foods, gardens, and body products. I have had some profound actualizations when using mint, and many clients have had as well. When self-talk is negative, maybe a client is in the habit of body shaming his or herself, peppermint can bring a soothing confidence.

Uses: Mint tea can soothe the body and digestion, perk you up when used aromatically (mint essential oil is wonderful in a diffuser), and wonderful to crunch fresh from the garden.

Indications: Safe for pregnancy (there is some contention to wait until after first trimester), breastfeeding (although be careful around small babies as it is quite potent). I would avoid this one to use on pets, unless diluted, because it is such an aromatic herb, and can overload olfactory senses.