For some, sleep is as easy as breathing. For others, it is a much more difficult process. If you fall into the latter category, you’ve probably tried everything to get a better night’s sleep. If you’re still on the search for the perfect solution to your night time restlessness, natural herbal remedies might just be the way to go. People have been supplementing with herbs for ages and with good reason…they can give you a healthy path straight to dreamland at night and thereby a more productive day. There are popular herbal options like chamomile and lavender, but if you look deeper, you can find many more could help you get the sleep you deserve.
Let’s examine a few herbs that have been studied and are proven to aid in a restful night’s sleep.
Passionflower
Stress and anxiety can be huge factors for those who have a hard time falling asleep. If you find you have a hard time falling asleep because you can’t stop worrying or your mind races when you are trying to shut down at night, passionflower might be a good option. It is often used to alleviate anxiety and improve the overall quality of sleep.
Passionflower is available in dried form in many stores and pharmacies. Steeping it in hot water and drinking it like tea is the best way to try this herb. It has an earthy flavor and it somewhat bitter, so try adding a little honey for extra flavor.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has been used as a sleep aid since the middle ages. Like passionflower, this herb has been shown to be effective for stress relief and falling asleep. Gamma-aminobutyric acid levels, also known as GABA levels, are present in the brain as a way of controlling fear and anxiety. When tested in animals, lemon balm was shown to increase the GABA levels in the test subjects. This is thought to be the reason why this herb is so helpful for rest and relaxation.
Lemon Balm can be found in herbal teas or in dried form. Since it comes from the mint family, it has a refreshing citrus flavor with a hint of minty goodness.
Elecampane
Sometimes sleep is hard to come by due to digestion issues or inflammation of the lungs as seen in people with asthma, bronchitis, and chronic night coughing. An herb that looks similar to a daisy, elecampane can be used to help with a variety of these issues. So many of us are looking for a natural approach to coughing and wheezing at night and elecampane has antimicrobial qualities that have been shown to help with stomach problems and issues stemming from the lungs.
You can purchase this herb as a supplement, or use in a dried form to make a tea.
Eucalyptus
Soap and candle companies use the scent of eucalyptus not only because it smells amazing, but it also has many sleep benefits. If you are not one for drinking tea, try bringing a eucalyptus plant into your bedroom. Its’ light scent can help clear your mind, calm you down, and lead to a relaxed state. Eucalyptus can also help ease congestion which is especially helpful for getting a good night’s sleep during the cold, flu, and allergy seasons.
Eucalyptus can be purchased as an essential oil and diffused at night time or used in plant form. Either way, the scent of the leaves will guide you to a calm and restful sleep.
We always recommend turning to nature for the answer to better sleep. Herbal remedies that have been relied on for centuries and have calming and medicinal properties that can help with sleep issues like anxiety, digestion, and congestion. There are many paths to restfulness, make sure you find the one that works best for you. For more natural sleep ideas, including certified organic mattress choices for babies, kids, and adults, visit our website here.
Note: Interactions between herbal supplements and other medications are possible. Always consult your physician before beginning any herbal supplementation program. This general information is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition, or to replace your healthcare professional.
