Herbal Sleep Aids

“Sleep is the best meditation.” - Dalai Lama.  

There is no treatment better than a good sleep.But in today's stressful life getting a good sleep is a luxury. Most of us end up tossing and turning on the bed for a better part of night. This is a common story with most of the working people. Blame it on your work or your habits, not getting enough sleep is not at all a healthy sign. There are many treatments for insomnia or sleeplessness but natural aids are considered to be the best, as they have no side effects as compared to the other pharmaceutical products. Of late, there has been a lot of research on using herbs for the cure of insomnia, and going by the positive results it makes herbs a popular choice for treating insomnia. Given here are some herbs that are known for their sleep inducing properties. 

Natural Herbs For Sleeplessness
Given here are some herbal remedies to help cure sleeplessness. 

Valerian (Valeriana Officinalis)
Valerian is one of the most popular herbs for insomnia and it is the natural source of Valium. It eases the nervous tension, muscle tension, and anxiety. Though it’s not very beneficial for insomnia treatment in the long term, it can be used as treatment for restlessness. This herb works best in combination with other sedative herbs like kava kava. It should not be consumed with other pharmaceutical products and it is also not recommended to be used in high dosages.

 

Passion Flower (Passiflora Incarnata)
The Aztecs used Passionflower as a sedative as it has a calming, and sleep inducing effect. It is a gentle, non habit-forming herbal sleep aid and is listed among the most potent sleep-inducing herbs. It can be used to release stress and tension, and can be safely used by both adults and children. It helps relax the body and mind thus inducing restful sleep. The active ingredient, harmine, and other related compounds help inhibit the breakdown of serotonin, the compound that produces a calming effect on the body. This herb can be taken as a tea, tincture or as capsules.

 

Skullcap (Scutellaria Lateriflora)
Skullcap is considered to be the most effective in curing the various causes of sleeplessness, like the leg syndrome. Skullcap provides relief against nervous tension and helps in renewing the central nervous system.

 

Chamomile  (Matricaria Recutita)
Chamomile has a century long history of being used as an herbal sleep aid. It is a very gentle herb and so is considered safe for both adults and children. Often drunk as a tea, it has a mild, pleasant flavor. It has a mild soothing effect, which aids sleep and reduces restlessness. It also has a positive effect on digestion. Chamomile includes a volatile oil and a falconoid, apigenin. It doesn’t cause any kind of addiction and is without any side effects as well.  

 

Kava Kava (Piper Methysticum)
Kava kava is a widely used herbal remedy for insomnia. The herb induces natural sleep by imparting a calm feeling as it relaxes the body and enhances dreaming as well. This herb is commonly recommended for chronic fatigue. Avoid long-term use as it can lead to liver damage.

 

California Poppy (Eschscholzia Californica)
Another natural herb that is commonly used as an herbal insomnia remedy is the California poppy. It is a common ingredient in many herbal sleep aids that are sold in the market today. This herb can help promote sleep, relaxation and ease mild anxiety. Its mild sedative properties make it helpful for children as well.

 

Hops  (Humulus Lupulus)
Hops are used as a common flavoring material for beer and produce a calming, sedative effect. Known for its analgesic properties it is considered as a nervous tonic that helps relieves pain. Taken in tea or tincture form, it can be a great source for inducing sleep. Pillows made of hops help induce relaxation and restful sleep. It has a depressant effect, so it should be avoided by people suffering from depression.