Nervousness

Cumin Tiny amounts of cumin oil (2 to 3 drops of oil to a drop of sugar) can help depress nervous irritability. If the oil is not available, crush a teaspoon of the seeds and add that to just boiled water. Steep, strain the liquid, and drink as tea.

Chamomile Drink chamomile during the day and before bedtime to dispel fatigue and nervousness. The tea may be used for infants.

Clove Add bruised cloves to any tea to relieve nervous irritability.

Lavender Add several drops of lavender oil to a pint of brandy. Use the liquid directly on the head for headaches. Lavender lotion or lavender water may also be used; there is an excellent English brand available at Caswell Massey.

Lime or Linden Flowers Linden flower tea quiets the nerves and promotes sleep. The tea may also be used for infants.

Rosemary Rosemary relieves nervous palpitations of the heart, alleviates hysterical depressions, and lifts the spirits.

Valerian Valerian root has a strong smell; thus, the pills prepared from this valuable nerve easing plant are usually small. A discote of valerian on occasion will relieve extreme nervous attacks, unease, nervous headache due to flatulence, or quiet the body after an unusual shock or excitement. Use this effective but strong pill, or expressed juice, or drops of tincture in water in moderation. Overuse is not advised.