When we think of bitters, most of us think of taking an extract before eating to get our digestive juices flowing and prepare our bodies to process a meal. While this is most certainly a core part of working with bitters, there is more that can be considered.
Relaxing bitters are an important subcategory of bitters that work gently and broadly to support both the gastrointestinal and nervous systems. They tend to simultaneously provide carminative properties. These herbs are perfect for “nervous gut” states and people who experience GI discomforts alongside emotional stress—whether these conditions are aggravating one another or simply coinciding. They can be helpful in cases of sluggish digestion, nervous indigestion, gas, bloating, butterflies, or general dysbiosis.
5 Herbs for a Nervous Stomach
- Chamomile: A gentle herb that calms jangled nerves, relaxes digestive spasms, and gently enhances digestive juices and function.
- Catnip: A mild bitter and carminative that improves digestive juices and sluggish function, while easing flatulence, bloating, and occasional cramps.
- Lemon Balm: Lemon balm is best known as a gently calming and uplifting nervine, but it also enhances digestive function.
- Wood Betony: Wood betony shares many of the benefits of fellow mint-family herbs: digestive aid, calming nervine, focus support, respiratory tonic, and gently uplifting relaxant.
- Motherwort: A gentle herb that eases feelings of panic and stress, levels mood rollercoasters, and can ease the sensation of “flutters” caused by stressful situations. I enjoy warming this herb up with a little ginger or cardamom.
*This blog is excerpted and adapted from Herbal Gut Health © Maria Noël Groves. Used with permission from Storey Publishing. On sale January 13, 2026. Available for preorder wherever books are sold.
