Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum)

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), sometimes called “Indian ginseng,” is a sturdy shrub growing to about 5 ft (1.5 m) with oval leaves, greenish or yellow flowers, and small, round fruits. A key herb in Ayurvedic medicine, it is valued for boosting vitality and aiding convalescence from chronic illnesses. It promotes relaxation, increases energy and muscle tone, and can support healthy thyroid hormone conversion from T4 to T3. Traditionally, ashwagandha is considered a “Rasáyana” (rejuvenator), used long-term to rebuild and regenerate body and mind.

Bacopa, also known as Water Hyssop or Brahmi, is a creeping succulent perennial that can grow to about 20 inches. It features spatula-shaped fleshy leaves and pale blue or white flowers on slender stalks. Thriving in marshlands and along the edges of mangrove swamps in warmer temperate and tropical climates - especially southern Asia - it develops into dense mats on mudflats. This herb has been a cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine for supporting cognitive function and treating various nervous system disorders, and it is increasingly recognized in Western herbalism for its brain-enhancing properties.

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is an annual or short-lived perennial with finely divided leaves and vibrant orange, yellow, pink, or red blossoms. A mild sedative and analgesic, it is related to the opium poppy but lacks narcotic effects. Instead, California poppy gently calms the nervous system, helps with insomnia and tension, and soothes pain without depressing central nervous system function.

Cardamom is an aromatic spice long prized for its fragrant, pungent taste. In Ayurvedic medicine, it has been used for digestive complaints - soothing indigestion, gas, and cramping - and is sometimes employed for respiratory conditions and kidney ailments. Cardamom has a centuries-old reputation as an aphrodisiac and is also believed to help relieve stress and depression when prepared in a mild infusion. Thanks to its agreeable flavor, cardamom is often added to herbal formulas to improve taste.

Kava (Piper methysticum) is a tropical shrub or evergreen vine, traditionally revered across the Pacific Islands for its calming, muscle-relaxing, and mildly euphoric effects. Its thick, knotty rootstock is used ceremonially and medicinally to ease anxiety, insomnia, and pain while preserving mental clarity.

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis, also known as L. angustifolia) is a small, perennial shrub that can grow about 3 ft (1 m) high, characterized by its narrow, silver-green leaves and spiked violet-blue flowers. Renowned for its sweet, calming aroma, lavender is a mildly warming, relaxing nervine, helpful in alleviating stress, tension, depression, and headaches. Its essential oil has antifungal properties and is commonly used for burns and other skin inflammations.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a bushy annual herb growing up to about 20 in (50 cm), with shiny oval leaves arranged on a square stem and small white flowers in whorls. Known for its strong, sweet aroma, basil is cultivated worldwide in numerous varieties. Traditional sources regard basil as both a culinary and medicinal herb, used to address digestive discomfort and various nervous system issues.

Catnip is a downy, aromatic perennial growing to 3 feet with heart-shaped, gray-green leaves and whorls of white flowers marked with purple spots. Native to Europe and naturalized in North America, it grows in dry wayside places and mountainous regions up to altitudes of 5,000 feet. The plant is gathered when in flower during summer and autumn. Its name comes from the Norse word 'dylla,' meaning 'to soothe,' reflecting its calming properties. Catnip has an excitatory effect on cats but a sedative effect on humans.