Nerve-stimulant Foods & Herbs List: An Ayurveda Perspective

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Nerve-stimulant: Symptoms
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AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON NERVE-STIMULANT

Provide short lived stimulation of the nervous system.

There are 3 categories of nerve stimulants

Focused nerve stimulants - These pungents improve circulation to the brain, stimulate the mind, and elevate mood. Rosemary, hyssop, basil, etc.
Diffusive nerve stimulants - Caffeine, ephedra, etc. Generally stimulate the nervous system and stimulate enregy. (on JB, some of the herbs in the 'stimulates-energy category don't stimulate the nervous system directly.
Analeptic - Stimulates the central nervous system (CNS). Increases alertness. Counteracts the effects of sedatives or other CNS depressants. These are used in dizziness, drowsiness, stupor, coma, or paralysis especially following a concussion or contusion.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Avoid combining with sedatives such as alcohol, etc.

INGREDIENTS WITH NERVE-STIMULANT QUALITY

View By: Dosha Herbal Action Biocharacteristics (energetics) Taste System Meal Season

Reduces
Nutmeg
Reduces
Stevia
Reduces
Basil
Rosemary
Reduces
Coffee
Green Tea
Seltzer Water / Club Soda
Yerba Mate Blend

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HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH NERVE-STIMULANT QUALITY

View By: Dosha Herbal Action Biocharacteristics (energetics) Taste System

HELPFUL FOR*

'Nerve-stimulant' may be helpful for these symptoms and causes below.

TYPE: HERBAL_ACTION

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle through constitutional nutrition (Ayurveda & Greek Medicine). His approach is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John, his wife Natalie and their 8 kids live in Asheville, NC

Learn More

Carolina College of Health Sciences

Nerve-stimulant - Foods & Herbs ListCLASSIFICATION OF FOOD, HERBS, & LIFESTYLE

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Table of Contents

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON NERVE-STIMULANT

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

INGREDIENTS WITH NERVE-STIMULANT QUALITY

Reduces

Reduces

Reduces

Reduces

Antidepressant ANTIDEPRESSANT Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function. SEE ALL 'ANTIDEPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

ANTIDEPRESSANT

Fire FIRE Resembles fire (tejas) in quality - hot, sharp, penetrating, light, dry. SEE ALL 'FIRE' FOODS / HERBS

FIRE

Air AIR Resembles air (vayu) in quality - highly mobile, drying, light, cold, subtle, rough. SEE ALL 'AIR' FOODS / HERBS

AIR

Stimulates Energy STIMULATES-ENERGY This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs. SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

STIMULATES-ENERGY

Rajasic RAJASIC Rajasic foods stimulate desire or nervous energy. Red meat, high protein food, garlic and onions stimulate desire. Rajasic foods include chili peppers, coffee, and anything that stimulates movement. SEE ALL 'RAJASIC' FOODS / HERBS

RAJASIC

Digestive DIGESTIVE Herbs that encourage healthy digestion. SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

DIGESTIVE

Alkalizing ALKALIZING An herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions. SEE ALL 'ALKALIZING' FOODS / HERBS

ALKALIZING

Spleen Tonic SPLEEN-TONIC An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues. SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

SPLEEN-TONIC

Internal Detoxicant INTERNAL-DETOXICANT Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system. SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Cardiac Stimulant CARDIAC-STIMULANT Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area. SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Ether ETHER Resembles ether or space (akasha) in quality - light, subtle, clear, soft. SEE ALL 'ETHER' FOODS / HERBS

ETHER

Prana PRANA Prana is the Sanskrit word for vital life energy (Qi in Chinese Medicine, pneuma in Greek). Many herbs stimulate your energy, or improve the flow of prana through your body. Generally, prana needs to be increased in spring after a sleepy winter. SEE ALL 'PRANA' FOODS / HERBS

PRANA

Wakes You Up WAKES-YOU-UP Invigorates the body and nervous system, increases energy. SEE ALL 'WAKES-YOU-UP' FOODS / HERBS

WAKES-YOU-UP

Nervine NERVINE Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature. SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

NERVINE

Dispel Cold Tonify Yang DISPEL-COLD-TONIFY-YANG Herbs that revitalizing by warming and stimulating, typically stimulating arterial circulation. SEE ALL 'DISPEL-COLD-TONIFY-YANG' FOODS / HERBS

DISPEL-COLD-TONIFY-YANG

Improves Focus IMPROVES-FOCUS Reduces scattered thoughts. Creates a steady mind. Includes herbs that relax (for Vata) and herbs that stimulate (for Kapha). SEE ALL 'IMPROVES-FOCUS' FOODS / HERBS

IMPROVES-FOCUS

Anti Inflammatory ANTI-INFLAMMATORY Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems. SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Refreshing REFRESHING Stimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized. SEE ALL 'REFRESHING' FOODS / HERBS

REFRESHING

Mobile MOBILE Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity. SEE ALL 'MOBILE' FOODS / HERBS

MOBILE

Dry DRY Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis. SEE ALL 'DRY' FOODS / HERBS

DRY

Hot HOT Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation. SEE ALL 'HOT' FOODS / HERBS

HOT

Clear CLEAR Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama. SEE ALL 'CLEAR' FOODS / HERBS

CLEAR

Liquefied LIQUEFIED Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs. SEE ALL 'LIQUEFIED' FOODS / HERBS

LIQUEFIED

Light LIGHT Lightness is identified by reduced weight. SEE ALL 'LIGHT' FOODS / HERBS

LIGHT

Easy EASY Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly. SEE ALL 'EASY' FOODS / HERBS

EASY

Heavy HEAVY Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight. SEE ALL 'HEAVY' FOODS / HERBS

HEAVY

Cold COLD Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. SEE ALL 'COLD' FOODS / HERBS

COLD

Toxic TOXIC A substance that causes toxicity in the body, or that harms the body. SEE ALL 'TOXIC' FOODS / HERBS

TOXIC

Aromatic AROMATIC Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues. SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

AROMATIC

Bitter BITTER Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying. SEE ALL 'BITTER' FOODS / HERBS

BITTER

Astringent ASTRINGENT Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying. SEE ALL 'ASTRINGENT' FOODS / HERBS

ASTRINGENT

Pungent PUNGENT Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper. SEE ALL 'PUNGENT' FOODS / HERBS

PUNGENT

Resinous RESINOUS Resinous substances often contain sap in them, such as rosemary, or herbs such as cedar, frankincense, and guggulu. SEE ALL 'RESINOUS' FOODS / HERBS

RESINOUS

Bland Negative Calorie BLAND-NEGATIVE-CALORIE The term "bland taste" refers, in Chinese medicine, to food containing few macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy. These may be compared to negative calorie foods. SEE ALL 'BLAND-NEGATIVE-CALORIE' FOODS / HERBS

BLAND-NEGATIVE-CALORIE

Sweet SWEET Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. SEE ALL 'SWEET' FOODS / HERBS

Antidepressant
ANTIDEPRESSANT
Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.
SEE ALL 'ANTIDEPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

Fire
FIRE
Resembles fire (tejas) in quality - hot, sharp, penetrating, light, dry.
SEE ALL 'FIRE' FOODS / HERBS

Air
AIR
Resembles air (vayu) in quality - highly mobile, drying, light, cold, subtle, rough.
SEE ALL 'AIR' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates Energy
STIMULATES-ENERGY
This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.
SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

Rajasic
RAJASIC
Rajasic foods stimulate desire or nervous energy. Red meat, high protein food, garlic and onions stimulate desire. Rajasic foods include chili peppers, coffee, and anything that stimulates movement.
SEE ALL 'RAJASIC' FOODS / HERBS

Digestive
DIGESTIVE
Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.
SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Alkalizing
ALKALIZING
An herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions.
SEE ALL 'ALKALIZING' FOODS / HERBS

Spleen Tonic
SPLEEN-TONIC
An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.
SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant
INTERNAL-DETOXICANT
Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.
SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Stimulant
CARDIAC-STIMULANT
Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.
SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Ether
ETHER
Resembles ether or space (akasha) in quality - light, subtle, clear, soft.
SEE ALL 'ETHER' FOODS / HERBS

Prana
PRANA
Prana is the Sanskrit word for vital life energy (Qi in Chinese Medicine, pneuma in Greek). Many herbs stimulate your energy, or improve the flow of prana through your body. Generally, prana needs to be increased in spring after a sleepy winter.
SEE ALL 'PRANA' FOODS / HERBS

Wakes You Up
WAKES-YOU-UP
Invigorates the body and nervous system, increases energy.
SEE ALL 'WAKES-YOU-UP' FOODS / HERBS

Nervine
NERVINE
Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.
SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

Dispel Cold Tonify Yang
DISPEL-COLD-TONIFY-YANG
Herbs that revitalizing by warming and stimulating, typically stimulating arterial circulation.
SEE ALL 'DISPEL-COLD-TONIFY-YANG' FOODS / HERBS

Improves Focus
IMPROVES-FOCUS
Reduces scattered thoughts. Creates a steady mind. Includes herbs that relax (for Vata) and herbs that stimulate (for Kapha).
SEE ALL 'IMPROVES-FOCUS' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.
SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Refreshing
REFRESHING
Stimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized.
SEE ALL 'REFRESHING' FOODS / HERBS

Mobile
MOBILE
Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.
SEE ALL 'MOBILE' FOODS / HERBS

Dry
DRY
Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.
SEE ALL 'DRY' FOODS / HERBS

Hot
HOT
Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.
SEE ALL 'HOT' FOODS / HERBS

Clear
CLEAR
Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.
SEE ALL 'CLEAR' FOODS / HERBS

Liquefied
LIQUEFIED
Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.
SEE ALL 'LIQUEFIED' FOODS / HERBS

Light
LIGHT
Lightness is identified by reduced weight.
SEE ALL 'LIGHT' FOODS / HERBS

Easy
EASY
Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.
SEE ALL 'EASY' FOODS / HERBS

Heavy
HEAVY
Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.
SEE ALL 'HEAVY' FOODS / HERBS

Cold
COLD
Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.
SEE ALL 'COLD' FOODS / HERBS

Toxic
TOXIC
A substance that causes toxicity in the body, or that harms the body.
SEE ALL 'TOXIC' FOODS / HERBS

Aromatic
AROMATIC
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Bitter
BITTER
Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.
SEE ALL 'BITTER' FOODS / HERBS

Astringent
ASTRINGENT
Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.
SEE ALL 'ASTRINGENT' FOODS / HERBS

Pungent
PUNGENT
Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.
SEE ALL 'PUNGENT' FOODS / HERBS

Resinous
RESINOUS
Resinous substances often contain sap in them, such as rosemary, or herbs such as cedar, frankincense, and guggulu.
SEE ALL 'RESINOUS' FOODS / HERBS

Bland Negative Calorie
BLAND-NEGATIVE-CALORIE
The term "bland taste" refers, in Chinese medicine, to food containing few macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy. These may be compared to negative calorie foods.
SEE ALL 'BLAND-NEGATIVE-CALORIE' FOODS / HERBS

Sweet
SWEET
Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
SEE ALL 'SWEET' FOODS / HERBS

Acrid
ACRID
Acrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee.
SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality
ENERGY-VITALITY
Includes vitality improving foods, herbs, and exercises by dosha.
SEE ALL 'ENERGY-VITALITY' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Aging
ANTI-AGING
Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin.
SEE ALL 'ANTI-AGING' FOODS / HERBS

Antidepressant
ANTIDEPRESSANT
Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.
SEE ALL 'ANTIDEPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates Energy
STIMULATES-ENERGY
This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.
SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

Wakes You Up
WAKES-YOU-UP
Invigorates the body and nervous system, increases energy.
SEE ALL 'WAKES-YOU-UP' FOODS / HERBS

Refreshing
REFRESHING
Stimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized.
SEE ALL 'REFRESHING' FOODS / HERBS

Nervine
NERVINE
Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.
SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Stimulant
CARDIAC-STIMULANT
Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.
SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Improves Focus
IMPROVES-FOCUS
Reduces scattered thoughts. Creates a steady mind. Includes herbs that relax (for Vata) and herbs that stimulate (for Kapha).
SEE ALL 'IMPROVES-FOCUS' FOODS / HERBS

Builds Stamina
BUILDS-STAMINA
Promotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.
SEE ALL 'BUILDS-STAMINA' FOODS / HERBS

Prana
PRANA
Prana is the Sanskrit word for vital life energy (Qi in Chinese Medicine, pneuma in Greek). Many herbs stimulate your energy, or improve the flow of prana through your body. Generally, prana needs to be increased in spring after a sleepy winter.
SEE ALL 'PRANA' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.
SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Alterative
ALTERATIVE
Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.
SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Blood Tonic
BLOOD-TONIC
An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.
SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Dispel Cold Tonify Yang
DISPEL-COLD-TONIFY-YANG
Herbs that revitalizing by warming and stimulating, typically stimulating arterial circulation.
SEE ALL 'DISPEL-COLD-TONIFY-YANG' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant
INTERNAL-DETOXICANT
Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.
SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS