3 Best Sleep Herbs to Get a Good Night\’s Sleep
By Robbie Bainer
Despite the fact that getting enough sleep is imperative to good health, many of us do not get the required hours of sleep we should. We have too much going on or we are part of a growing number of individuals fighting insomnia.
Thankfully, there are several good sleep herbs that can help you get the good night”s sleep your body is craving.
Chamomile. One of the most well known sleep herbs is chamomile. It has been used for centuries to calm children and adults alike, easing them into a restful sleep. Chamomile works in several ways.
First, it is mildly sedative, which aids in relaxation. Second, it eases digestive issues, which can also interfere with getting rest. Third, it relieves pain and inflammation, another common culprit of sleep issues.
Valerian. Valerian is another effective herb to aid in getting a good night”s rest. It is relaxing and aids in promoting sleep. It has sedative effects, yet does not leave you feeling groggy in the morning.
Research has shown that it is particularly effective in poor sleepers and those with insomnia. In addition to promoting sleep, it also lowers blood pressure, relieves digestive discomforts and calms anxiety.
Passion Flower. Like other sleep herbs, passion flower has a calming effect when used. In Aztec culture, it was commonly used as a natural sedative and pain reliever. Its other benefits include relief of cramps, muscle spasms and anxiety.
How Do You Take Herbs? There are multiple methods of administration for these herbs. Chamomile is often given as a tea. Simply steep a tea bag or a handful of chamomile flowers in boiling water for a minimum of fifteen minutes. Remove the tea bag or strain flowers before drinking. For added taste, honey or lemon may be added to the tea.
Drink one to two cups of the tea thirty minutes to an hour before bedtime. Chamomile can also be used in a soothing bath and is often combined with other herbs such as linden flowers or lavender for this purpose. Simply fill a muslin bag with your chosen herbs and hang over the faucet. As the warm water passes over the herbs, their natural scents are released.
Valerian can be used as a tea, tincture or bath. To make tea, add two teaspoons of valerian root to two cups of warm water and allow to sit through the day. Strain and add one teaspoon of honey to the tea. Drink one cup after supper and another before bed.
Some people choose to add other sleep herbs to their tea such as hops, lemon balm, chamomile or lavender for better results. Tinctures can be purchased wherever herbal remedies are sold. On average, twenty drops in a glass of water drank before bed is effective. However, due to the differences between individuals, you may require a little more or less to get optimal results.
For a bath, pour one liter of boiling water over a couple handfuls of dried valerian root. Let sit twenty-five minutes before straining and adding to a warm bath.
Passion flower is another of the sleep herbs that has multiple methods of use. As a tincture, add thirty to sixty drops to a glass of water and drink forty-five minutes before bed. As an infusion, steep one ounce of herb in one pint of boiling water for twenty minutes before straining to drink.
About The Author
Overcome stress and anxiety with our FREE special report and bonuses on “Overcoming Stress and Anxiety” and “Natural Treatment for Anxiety Stress” and more at www.AnxietyReliefTactics.com. Check out our valuable free offer and discover the secrets of coping with stress now at http://AnxietyReliefTactics.com!