Do you struggle to unwind and get a good night’s sleep?
Are you tired of relying on medication or other artificial remedies to help you relax?
It may be time to turn to the power of natural herbs. With countless health benefits, herbs have been used for centuries to promote relaxation and restful sleep.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 5 natural herbs for relaxation and sleep. From the soothing properties of chamomile to the calming effects of lavender, these powerful herbs can help you reduce stress, anxiety, and promote better sleep quality.
Whether you’re looking for a natural way to unwind after a long day or seeking an alternative to pharmaceuticals, these herbs may be just what you need to find peace and tranquility. So, let’s dive into the world of herbal remedies and discover the best herbs for relaxation and sleep.
Sleep is your body’s natural means of self-healing. A good night’s sleep sets you up for a productive day. You need about 8 hours of sleep each day to feel relaxed and rejuvenated, but sometimes we are either too busy or stressed to get an adequate amount of rest. Natural herbs and essential oils have been shown to help relax the mind and body, making it much easier to sleep at night.
I am here to help bring some peace into your reality to help you relax and get more rest at night.
How do natural herbs and essential oils help induce sleep?
Well, there are some plants that have sedative properties that help to relax the body, making it easier for people like you and I to get better sleep at night. Chronic insomnia is the most common sleeping problem, with 15% of adults suffering from it (Christopher Hobbs Ph.D).
What are some causes of sleep deprivation?
There could be number of reasons for the lack of sleep you get at each day. Some causes could include stress, depression, anxiety or fear, a hasty lifestyle or something as simple as eating too late in the day.
Stress can affect your serotonin levels, causing disruption in your sleeping patterns. You can take natural herbal supplements made especially for sleep to “catch more z’s” and live a more happy and healthy lifestyle.
Symptoms of insomnia or sleep deprivation:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Hard time staying asleep
- Daytime sleepiness or tiredness
- Lack of energy
- Lack of focus
Ways to use herbs for sleep.
There are many different ways to use herbs to get better sleep. Herbs can be brewed as tea, smoked, consumed via capsules, infused in oils, made into tinctures or vaporized as essential oils and inhaled. As easy as it seems, it is best to do extensive research or consult with a good doctor before ingesting any unfamiliar herbs, just for safe measures.
In this post, we will go over several herbs, plants and roots that can be used to help promote relaxation and revitalization in the body and mind to help you get more sleep at night.
5 Powerful Natural Herbs for Relaxation & Sleep
Damiana
Damiana, or Turnera diffusa meaning to “tame or subdue”, is a bushy shrub with aromatic yellow blooms and short green leaves. Since the time of the ancient Aztecs, Damiana has been utilized in places like Mexico, Central America, and South America, and it is still widely used today. Although its primary traditional use in cultures has been used to reduce depression, stress, mild depression and to increase sexual desire (aphrodisiac properties), it has also been appreciated as a sedative, digestive stimulant and mood booster.
Damiana is can be made into a tincture, brewed into tea, or smoked in herbal smoking blends.
Shop: Damiana Leaf & Damiana Extract
Valerian Root
Valerian root is a well-known herbal remedy used in both traditional and folk medicine. This popular herb has a calming effect that encourages relaxation and reduces stress.
Valerian is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. It thrives in moist, moderate regions in meadows and forests, and has now been naturalized in North America. The plant can reach a height of two meters and bears little clusters of white or pink blooms. The blossoms have a sweet, pleasant aroma that contrasts with the plant’s roots.
Compounds in the root appear to interact with critical nervous system components like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain chemical messenger.
Valerian root may be also used for other ailments such as:
- menstrual cramps
- stomach cramps
- headaches and migraine headaches
- symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes
I have done my own testing with Valerian root and can say that it worked wonders! I brewed the root into a tea (which was very smelly but worth it) and also ground it into a powder to make a smoking blend.
To grind your herbs or roots, you will need a mortar and pestle, which can be found at Mountain Rose Herbs or on Amazon
Precautions
When taking barbiturates, benzodiazepines, or other sedative medicines, use caution because valerian has the potential to intensify the effects of some sedatives. Before using herbal products, we recommend consulting with a certified healthcare practitioner, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any drugs.
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Lavender
Lavender is a fragrant evergreen perennial shrub. From late spring to early autumn, its woody stems yield lavender or purple blooms, though there are variations with white or pink blossoms. Lavender is a Mediterranean plant that is now grown across Europe and the Western United States in cool-winter, dry-summer climates. Lavender has been used for thousands of years, with the Egyptians being the first to incorporate it in the mummification process. It was used by both the Greeks and the Romans for a variety of purposes, the most common of which were bathing, cooking, and as a perfume element. The Romans used lavender as an after-bath aroma, and the herb was given its name from the Latin lavare, which means “to wash.”
The Lavender plant has been a popular choice for body care recipes, potpourri recipes, food recipes and aromatherapy.
Lavender oil is thought to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for treating small burns and insect bites.
It may help with:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Sadness
- Restlessness
- Digestive problems like vomiting, nausea, intestinal gas, upset stomach, and abdominal bloating.
Lavender is used to treat pain from headaches, sprains, toothaches, and sores, in addition to stomach disorders. It can also be used to keep hair from falling out. (MedicalNewsToday)
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Lavender Linen Spray (Great for misting on your pillow before bed.)
California Poppy
The California poppy is a flowering plant native to the western United States and Mexico with beautiful orange petals that close at night and during cloudy circumstances but expand widely in the daylight. The herb is frequently used in botanical formulations, consumed as California poppy tea, or macerated into a tincture.
It is believed that California Poppy may be used alone or in combination with other plants for:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia or sleeplessness
- Aches
- Nervousness
Shop: Dried California Poppy & California Poppy Extract
Chamomile
Chamomile or Matricaria recutita, is one of my favorite herbs. Not only are daisy-like flowers beautiful, they also give off a lovely aromatic scent that is hard to pass by.
In Ancient Egypt, chamomile was used as an offering to the gods along with a list of other herbs. It is commonly used in teas, compresses, gargles, baths, and inhalations. Chamomile is also often blended into skin care recipes and hair products.
Shop Chamomile Tea at Mountain Rose Herbs
Precautions
Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner. It is recommended that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.
