Your nervous system is always working behind the scenes. It shifts through three primary states that shape how you think, feel, and respond to daily life. This idea comes from Polyvagal Theory, a powerful framework that explains why stress feels different in different moments and why some days your body feels open and steady while other days it feels overwhelmed or shut down.

Understanding these states helps you recognize what your body has been trying to tell you. It also helps you choose herbs and essential oils that support you in a specific, grounded way.

Below is a simple breakdown of the three states, followed by targeted herbal and aromatic support for the two most difficult places to be: the Sympathetic and Dorsal states.

The Three States of the Nervous System

1. Ventral Vagal: Regulated and Connected

This is your steady state. You feel grounded, engaged, hopeful, and connected. You can make decisions and tolerate rest. This is where healing and clarity happen.

2. Sympathetic: Mobilized and Overwhelmed

This is your stress mode. It shows up as rushing, irritability, overthinking, tension, shallow breathing, and racing thoughts. Many women live here without realizing it because it often looks like productivity on the outside.

3. Dorsal Vagal: Shutdown and Numb

This is the collapse response. It can feel like exhaustion, emotional disconnect, zoning out, brain fog, or feeling far away from yourself. This happens when the body has tried to cope for too long and shifts into conservation mode.

Herbal and aromatic support shines brightest in the Sympathetic and Dorsal states. These states benefit from plants that soften tension, restore presence, calm rapid thoughts, encourage emotional steadiness, and reconnect you with your body.

Herbs for the Sympathetic State

When your body is wired, restless, and stuck in stress mode.

Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Calms the emotional edge of stress, softens irritability, and supports steadier energy without sedation. This is a favorite for mental overload and the nonstop cycle of doing.

Rhodiola

Supports endurance, mental clarity, and balanced energy. It is helpful when stress makes you feel scattered, tired but wired, or mentally overloaded.

Skullcap

Gently quiets the mind when thoughts are spiraling. This herb is soothing without being heavy and helps the body shift out of the “go go go” state.

Lemon Balm

Softens overthinking, supports restfulness, and helps your system unwind. Its calming aroma and gentle nervine qualities make it ideal for sympathetic spikes.

Essential Oils for the Sympathetic State

Bergamot

Helps release emotional pressure and supports a brighter mood and perspective.

Lavender

Calms the nervous system, reduces sensory overwhelm, and helps regulate breathing.

Cedarwood

Grounding and stabilizing, especially when stress feels disorganizing or chaotic.

Sweet Orange

Opens the chest, softens tension, and brings a sense of lightness when stress feels heavy.

Herbs for the Dorsal Vagal State

When your body feels shut down, numb, or disconnected.

Lemon Balm

This herb is beautiful for gently waking the system without forcing stimulation. Helpful when you feel foggy, heavy, or emotionally distant.

Rhodiola

Encourages mental clarity and supports a gentle rise in energy when the body feels flat or withdrawn.

Schisandra Berry

Supports resilience, mood, and healthy stress responses. It helps restore presence after periods of emotional or physical depletion.

Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Contains L-theanine, which supports alertness and calm focus without jitters.

Essential Oils for the Dorsal Vagal State

Peppermint

Wakes up the senses and restores alertness when the mind feels foggy.

Rosemary

Supports mental clarity and cognitive focus. Excellent when you feel mentally checked out.

Eucalyptus

Encourages deeper breathing and helps reconnect you to your body.

Grapefruit

Brightens mood and gently lifts heaviness without overstimulating the system.

How to Use These Herbs and Oils When You Need Support

• Add herbs to your daily rituals
  Teas, tinctures, or blends like Meadow Ease or Pure Vitality can support shift and steadiness.

• Use essential oils with intention
  Apply diluted oils to the chest, wrists, or the back of the neck.
  Diffuse aromas during moments of fatigue, stress, or emotional heaviness.

• Pair herbal support with nervous system practices

  • Ground through your senses

  • Take slow nasal breaths with long exhales

  • Release jaw and shoulder tension

  • Take a five second micro pause

  • Place warm pressure on the chest to settle your system

These small, compassionate steps help your nervous system climb back toward ventral safety and steadiness.

Your Nervous System Is Always Speaking to You

No matter which state you find yourself in, herbs and essential oils can support you as you shift toward balance. Healing is not about forcing calm. It is about giving your body tools that gently guide it back to safety and connection.

If you want deeper practices, journal prompts, and daily rituals that support your nervous system, the Healing to Thriving Workbook pairs beautifully with this work.

Save this blog for whenever your system needs support.