How Anxiety Shows Up in the Body—And How Herbs Can Help
- Mrs. Kendra
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Inspired by the wisdom of Iwilla Remedy
Check out this accompanying youtube link:
Anxiety isn’t just a mental experience—it’s deeply embodied. It’s the racing heart before a hard conversation. The nausea before you speak your truth. The tight shoulders that won’t let go, even when you’re finally alone. Anxiety shows up in the body as a message—often asking to be seen, softened, and supported.
And while talk therapy, movement, and rest all play a vital role, herbs can offer grounded, ancestral support to the nervous system in beautiful, effective ways.
What Anxiety Feels Like in the Body
Your nervous system is hardwired for protection. When it perceives a threat—whether real or imagined—it kicks into high alert. This is often called “fight, flight, or freeze.” And for people living with chronic stress or trauma, this system stays activated more than it should.
Common physical symptoms of anxiety include:
Rapid heartbeat or tight chest
Shallow breathing
Digestion issues (like nausea, constipation, or diarrhea)
Muscle tension (especially in the neck, shoulders, or jaw)
Trouble sleeping or restlessness
Chronic fatigue or “crashing” after periods of stress
When anxiety lives in the body, herbs can be a gentle and effective way to speak back to it—not to suppress it, but to help regulate and restore balance.
Herbal Medicine as Daily Nervous System Support
Herbs are not quick fixes, and they’re not here to “shut off” your feelings. But they do help the body recalibrate—bringing the nervous system out of overdrive and back into safety, connection, and flow.
And when it comes to learning how to safely and intentionally use herbs for your emotional well-being, Iwilla Remedy is one of the most loving and grounded resources available.
Founded by Selima Harleston Lust and Tami, Iwilla Remedy is a holistic herbal education platform that teaches people how to use plant medicine to heal themselves and their communities—even if they’re starting with no background at all.
Their commitment is clear: make herbal knowledge accessible, liberating, and rooted in deep ancestral remembrance.
5 Herbs to Support an Anxious Nervous System
🌿 Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)Calms the heart and supports digestion. It’s especially helpful when you feel anxiety in your stomach or have trouble winding down from overstimulation.
🌿 Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)A powerful nervine that helps relax the body and quiet mental chatter. Ideal for those dealing with racing thoughts and physical tension.
🌿 Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)An adaptogen that helps your body cope with long-term stress. Ashwagandha builds emotional resilience, reduces cortisol, and strengthens your inner foundation.
🌿 Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)Supports restful sleep and soothes an overactive mind. A beautiful ally for folks who lie awake replaying conversations or feeling overstimulated by life.
🌿 Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)Often described as a “hug for the heart,” Motherwort is for emotional overwhelm and tender, raw places that need mothering energy.
What Iwilla Remedy Teaches That Many Skip
What makes Selima and Tami’s work stand out is their soul-centered approach to herbal education. Through offerings like the Herbal Medicine for the Soul Program, they teach you how to:
Understand herbal energetics (how herbs work with your specific body type)
Build relationships with herbs through taste, ritual, and presence
Formulate herbal remedies that are not just functional—but deeply personal and intentional
This is more than mixing plants in a jar. It’s a return to self-trust, intuitive healing, and honoring the Earth as a co-conspirator in your wellness.
Starting Small: Simple Ways to Work with Herbs
Brew a tea of Lemon Balm and Chamomile before bed
Use Skullcap tincture during moments of tension or panic
Add Ashwagandha to smoothies or warm drinks for grounding
Soak in a Passionflower bath or foot soak after a stressful day
Journal with Motherwort-infused tea as part of your emotional processing
These tiny rituals become nervous system love notes over time.
Final Thoughts
Anxiety doesn’t make you broken. It makes you human. Herbs won’t erase what you feel—but they can hold you through it. They whisper, “You don’t have to do this alone.”
Thanks to the work of visionaries like Selima and Tami at Iwilla Remedy, more people are learning how to reclaim their wellness through plants, ritual, and radical self-trust.
Explore their courses, read their plant profiles, and browse their offerings at www.iwillaremedy.com.
Healing is your birthright. And the plants are waiting to walk with you.
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