Herbs & Crystals for PTSD Support

Introduction

Trauma does not end when the moment passes. The body, mind, and spirit remember — sometimes for years. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can show up not only as mental distress but through the body: racing thoughts, restless sleep, digestive upset, emotional overwhelm, or even feeling “zoned out” and disconnected from life.

Healing from trauma is not linear. It requires patience, compassion, and often professional support. But along the way, we can lean into nature’s allies — herbs and crystals — as well as somatic practices and supportive therapies. These tools don’t erase the past, but they can help soften the edges, regulate the nervous system, and open space for renewal.

What Stress Does to the Body

When the body lives in a prolonged state of stress, the nervous system shifts into survival mode. The sympathetic “fight, flight, freeze, or fawn” response becomes dominant, flooding the body with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, this can lead to:

• Chronic anxiety or hypervigilance
• Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
• Digestive issues (IBS, nausea, or stomach tension)
• Fatigue and immune suppression
• Muscle tension, pain, or inflammation
• Emotional numbness or dissociation

In relationships, unresolved trauma can make us cling to the familiar — even when it’s harmful. Returning to unhealthy dynamics, replaying old stories, or seeking connection through pain are common patterns. Recognizing this is not weakness but survival instinct — the body’s attempt to return to what it knows. True healing comes when we gently retrain the body to feel safe in healthier patterns of connection.

Herbs for Nervous System Balance

The nervous system holds the memory of trauma long after the moment has passed. Herbs offer gentle, consistent nourishment that helps calm overactive nerves, ease anxiety, and restore resilience. They’ve been used for centuries as allies for both adults and children, bringing balance to body and spirit.

For Adults

• Chamomile – Soothes anxiety, eases digestion, supports sleep.
• Lemon Balm – Brightens mood, calms nerves, relaxes the gut.
• Passionflower – Quiets racing thoughts, supports rest.
• Tulsi (Holy Basil) – Balances stress response, restores clarity.
• Ashwagandha – Adaptogen for vitality and resilience.
• Skullcap – Calms nervous tension, relieves mental overstimulation.

For Children

• Chamomile – Safe and soothing, bedtime favorite.
• Lemon Balm – Gentle, uplifting, settles the stomach.
• Catnip – Relaxes the body, eases tummy troubles.
• Lavender – Comforting in baths, teas, or diluted aromatherapy.

Crystals for PTSD Support

Crystals are stable energetic companions that anchor us when emotions feel overwhelming. Their vibrations can bring grounding, calm, or heart-centered healing, depending on the stone. Working with crystals creates a sense of safety and connection while gently supporting emotional recovery.

Grounding & Safety

• Black Tourmaline – Clears fear and creates energetic protection.
• Smoky Quartz – Grounds scattered emotions, eases overwhelm.
• Hematite – Strong stabilizer, connects body to earth.

Calm & Emotional Balance

• Amethyst – Supports restful sleep, eases anxiety.
• Blue Lace Agate – Gentle and soothing, helps express emotions.
• Lepidolite – Softens anxiety, supports emotional regulation.

Heart Healing & Connection

• Rose Quartz – Encourages self-love and comfort.
• Rhodonite – Balances intense feelings, heals emotional wounds.
• Green Aventurine – Gentle heart support, eases worry.

Somatic Practices for Trauma Release

Trauma is stored not only in the mind but also in the body. Somatic practices use breath, movement, and presence to gently unwind patterns of tension and help regulate the nervous system. These tools create pathways for release, making space for the body to feel safe again.  Healing trauma requires working with the body, not just the mind. Simple daily practices can help regulate the nervous system:

• Shaking & Trembling – Stand with knees soft, gently shake out the arms and legs, allowing the body to discharge stress.
• Orienting Practice – Sit quietly and slowly look around your space, naming things you see. This helps remind the body it is safe here and now.
• Butterfly Hug – Cross arms over your chest, gently tap left-right in rhythm while breathing slowly to calm the body.
• Grounding Breath – Place one hand on the heart, one on the belly. Breathe in for 4 counts, exhale for 6 counts, lengthening the outbreath to calm the vagus nerve.
• Gentle Stretching or Yoga – Slow, intentional movement helps release held tension and restore safety in the body.

Supportive Therapies

Different people find healing through different therapeutic approaches. Here are some especially supportive for PTSD:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) – Helps to process traumatic memories.
• Somatic Experiencing – Works with the body’s sensations to release trauma.
• Trauma-Informed Breathwork – Uses intentional breathing to regulate and release.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Works with inner “parts” to bring harmony and healing.
• Attachment-Based Therapy – Supports rebuilding safe connections and trust.
• Group Therapy or Peer Support – Reduces isolation and offers community.

Rituals for Daily Support

Healing from PTSD often requires more than one approach. Alongside herbs and crystals, therapies like EMDR, somatic experiencing, and talk therapy help integrate experiences and rewire the nervous system. Combining natural allies with therapeutic support can create a fuller, more sustainable path to healing.

• Bedtime Tea Ritual – Brew chamomile, lemon balm, and catnip for a calming night ritual.
• Crystal at the Bedside – Place amethyst or rose quartz under your pillow for gentle support.
• Bath Magic – Add lavender or chamomile tea bags to your bath with smoky quartz nearby.
• Pocket Stones – Carry rose quartz or aventurine as anchors of safety and love.
• Breath with Crystals – Hold black tourmaline in one hand, rose quartz in the other. Breathe deeply, releasing fear and inviting love.

 

Closing Words

Your body remembers — but it also knows how to heal.
Your heart carries scars — but it also carries light.
And step by step, you can return home to yourself.

Written by Rachael Lanehart
Rachael is a co-creator with Crystal Lume, where she tends the online presence and contributes to community education. As an embodiment mentor, she draws on breathwork, frequency medicine, and nature-based practices to help others reconnect with their innate wisdom. Her work is rooted in reverence for the body as a sacred vessel and for the earth as our greatest teacher. 

👉 Learn more about sessions with Rachael