It is now a medically proven fact that lack of sleep is the main cause of various disorders and conditions. Sleeplessness or insomnia is fast becoming a very common problem. Both young and old suffer from it. The condition is the result of an exhausted nervous system that makes it impossible to sleep peacefully and without interruption at night. In other words, ill functioning nervous system is responsible for the lack in both quantity as well as quality of sleep.
Doctors insist that eight hours of sleep every night is very important for re-vitalizing the mind as well as the body. Both the mind and body need some time to repair and recover from the travails of the past 24 hours. When we don’t get enough sleep our mind and body react by developing illnesses. Hence, in order to keep a strong and healthy mind and body it becomes vital that we get our eight hours of sleep daily. If you have trouble falling asleep at night here are a few herbal remedies that can help you.
7 Herbal Remedies for Sleeplessness
Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm herb is a very popular herb in ayurvedic medicine because of its medicinal properties. Tea prepared using lemon balm is known to soothe the nerves and relax the muscles. The herb acts on the nervous system promoting a feeling of wellness in us. We find it easier to fall asleep at night when we are stress free. Hence, the herb is the ideal remedy for sleeplessness.
Prepare lemon balm tea by steeping two teaspoons of the herb in 200ml of boiling water. Let the dried leaves of the herb boil for 5-7 minutes. Strain the tea and drink it warm. You should drink lemon balm tea 2-3 times during the day. A cup of this herbal tea is recommended for consumption 30 minutes before your sleep time.
Chamomile Tea
This is perhaps the favorite remedy for sleeplessness all across the world. Herbal tea bags of chamomile are now available in all parts of the world. The pleasant aroma of the herb along with the palatable taste of the herb is what makes it the world’s favorite tea. Many people use the tea for losing weight. However, they have also reported that they sleep better at night after drinking the herbal concoction.
Chamomile gently soothes the nerves making the person feel calm and at peace. It alleviates stress and anxiety that keep us from falling asleep at night. Simply steep a tea bag of chamomile in boiling water for five minutes. Drink the tea while it’s still warm. Add honey for flavor. 3-4 cups of chamomile tea are recommended every day.
Lavender
Lavender is another herb that is being used since centuries to cure the problem of sleeplessness. In fact, during olden days the flowers of lavender were used every day in the house primarily because of the well-being of the mind and body they promoted. The aroma of lavender flower helps calm the mind and relax the body. Drinking lavender tea is known to strengthen the immune system along with promoting good health.
Prepare pouches of dried lavender flowers and keep them under your mattresses and pillows. Drink three cups of lavender tea every day to sleep better at night. Massage your temples with diluted lavender oil to alleviate the headaches and migraines that prevent you from sleeping peacefully at night.
Dandelion
The flower of dandelion has medicinal properties that make it very valuable in the treatment of various disorders. The herb is commonly used in the treatment of gynecological disorders. However, the herb has also shown positive results in the treatment of sleeplessness. Prepare tea using dandelion flowers and drink this herbal water three times during the day.
A cup of dandelion tea taken 30 minutes before sleeping will help you sleep better and undisturbed. Dandelion is a commonly available herb but ensure that you buy it from a shop instead of plucking it from gardens.
Hops
Hops was commonly used during the first and second world wars to treat soldiers who suffered from sleeplessness because of fear and anxiety. The herb is a mild sedative that immediately promotes a feeling of well being and health upon consumption.
A very interesting fact about hops is that it is used for giving flavor to beers. This could be one reason that drinkers easily fall asleep after a few pints of beer. Herbal tea bags of hops are widely available in the market. It also comes in tincture form. Drink three cups of hops tea every day to sleep peacefully at night.
Valerian
The roots of valerian are very popularly used in various medicinal preparations. In earlier days, the herb was given as anesthesia to pregnant women to induce deep sleep. However, the practice was discontinued after it was found that the herb is not very safe for use during pregnancy.
The herb is now used as a sedative in people suffering from sleeplessness. It helps deal with physical and mental exhaustion. The herb is also used for treating somniloquists and somnambulists. The herb is absolutely safe for use (except for by pregnant women) and has no side effects unlike its counterpart valium.
Wild Lettuce
The herb belongs to the lettuce family but is not used as a vegetable. Wild lettuce is exploited for its many medicinal properties that work on the nervous system. It is the only known herb that is both a sedative and a nervine. This means that the herb effectively numbs the nerves and also acts as anesthesia. Therefore, it is widely used for treating mild as well as acute sleeplessness. The herb is absolutely safe for use even in children. It is available in tincture form and 30-40 drops of the herb should be taken 3-4 times during the day to sleep well at night.
Do not take any of these herbal remedies if you have already been put on medication for sleeplessness by your doctor. Use the herbal treatment only after discontinuing the prescription medicines.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
