Finding Balance with EFT, Herbs, and Medical Astrology in Trauma Healing

     When it comes to healing trauma, we’re not just talking about tackling symptoms on the surface. True healing starts in retraining the nervous system, which has often been locked into survival mode by trauma. After years of studying behavioral psychology, I learned how to include nervous system soothing techniques into my work as a clinical herbalist and working as a medical astrologer. True, this isn’t a “one size fits all” solution type blog—it’s about building a personal toolkit that works with your nervous system to bring you back to balance. 

     PTSD does more than just shake your emotions up; it rewires your nervous system on a foundational level. Trauma keeps the brain in a constant state of alert, with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline flooding the system. The imbalance makes it almost impossible for the brain to distinguish between real and perceived "oh, shit" moments- keeping people stuck in survival mode long after the actual danger has passed. I was talking to a friend of mine that is a Reiki practitioner and she told me how in reiki they learn that micro encounters with rage while driving last for like 8 hours in the body. That visualization stayed with me to this day and definitely helped me check myself (and regulate myself) in the moment. 

     This is where EFT comes in. Tapping on specific acupressure points while focusing on traumatic memories has been linked to lowering cortisol levels and helps guide the body back to a regulated baseline. EFT essentially rewires the brain to stop viewing the past as an immediate threat, creating space for the nervous system to move out of “fight-or-flight” mode. Studies have shown that EFT can help reduce anxiety, but also jumps serotonin levels, and support emotional regulation, which are critical for people struggling with PTSD.

     Now, I know you're like, "Elizabeth. You're doing that woo-woo bullshit where you tell me it's all in my mind and I can just "stop" when I want." No. I know tapping isn't just going to do the trick. If you've worked with me, you know trauma recovery isn’t just a mental process; the physical body takes a beating from chronic stress, too.

     That's why nervines like Passionflower (like in my Tranquillium Tincture) and adaptogenic herbs like Tulsi are clinically shown to modulate cortisol levels and help the body handle stress more effectively. Tulsi is fantastic for overall adrenal health (which is why I blend it in my Alacer Tincture formula) —it can help reduce anxiety and support restful sleep, both of which are often disrupted in PTSD cases. Eleuthero Root, meanwhile, enhances endurance and mental clarity, helping you feel more resilient throughout the day without the jitters (which is why its in my Claritas Tincture). Nervines like Passionflower and Skullcap are known to calm the nervous system, making them ideal for when stress feels overwhelming or relentless. Skullcap (hand blending into my Sana Tea), specifically, works on GABA receptors, which means it calms the brain without sedating you. 

     Restorative herbs like Astragalus root (found in my Lympha and Hekate Teas) also get god stars for trauma recovery because trauma often causes systemic inflammation, which can lead to brain fog, immune system problems, and more. By incorporating this herbs, we’re targeting the neurochemical and physical fallout of trauma—strengthening and soothing the body at a cellular level.

     But how do you know which herbs would be a great companion for your specific style of trauma? That's where medical astrology also offers a different lens for understanding trauma and healing. In my practice, I look at the client’s chart to see which placements may be tied to deep-seated issues. For example, looking at your 4th house tells me what type of house you grew up in and any traumas there. Heavy placements in the 8th or 12th houses can often signal areas where unresolved trauma or subconscious fears lurk. Houses aside, people with specific zodiac signs or planetary configurations (like a Moon placement) may react intensely to stress or hold trauma at a visceral level.

     Your birth chart also reveals where your natural resilience and unique coping strategies (that will work every time) lie. Those with Earth sign placements may benefit from grounding herbs like Oatstraw, while a heavy Mars placement may benefit from calming, cooling herbs to counteract that intense, FAAFO energy. In times of significant transits, like a challenging Saturn return or anything going through angular houses, adding specific herbs or tapping techniques can help buffer against stressors that feel more intense during these periods.

     Okay, so now putting this all together—EFT, herbal support, and medical astrology—offers a roadmap for trauma recovery that isn’t just about symptom management. This is about getting out of survival mode and allowing the body and mind to truly reset. Integrating these tools with guidance from people who know their shit can be the difference between just “getting by” and actually feeling safe and whole again.

     Above all else, remember that trauma rewires the brain and body to stay on high alert- so give yourself grace and space to take big breaths. With tools in your coping strategies toolkit, you can retrain your nervous system, slowly replacing that old “alarm” response with a renewed sense of safety and calm. Trauma might leave a mark, but it doesn’t have to define you.

You got this.