Herbal Sleep Aids
Chamomile Tea
Steep 1 tbs of dried or fresh herb in 1 cup of boiling water. Cover the cup to keep in the essential oils. The longer you steep, the more effective it will be. Don’t steep too long or it will be bitter. Take this tea 2 hours before you would like to go to sleep.
Lavender
Lavender is well known for its soothing and calming properties. This herb helps relax the tension and induce sleep. A lavender spray mist can be misted on pillows and sheets to soothe and calm you allowing your mind to rest.
Tea Preparation:
Steep 1 tsp of lavender buds in 1 cup of boiling water for 15 minutes and consume 2 hours before bedtime. Remember to cover the cup.
Tincture:
Hops are a sedating herb especially useful when you have insomnia. Hops are great for sleep because of their calming, sedating and sleep-inducing effects. It has a tension relieving property that is associated with sleep and quality of sleep. It helps to relax and ease the tension out of muscles, while also calming anxiety. They are used as a sachet tucked in the pillowcase to promote deep sleep or as a tea. You can take hops as a tea but the tea is bitter so add a little honey to make it more palatable.
Tea Preparation:
Drink 2 hours before bed
Take 1 tsp of tincture in a glass of water 1 hour before bed. I have hops tincture for sale in my Etsy shop.
Passionflower is useful for nervous tension, anxiety, agitation and insomnia relief. It’s very popular as a mild sedative for providing safe, restful, deep sleep because it has a calming effect. Passionflower also relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety, calms irritability and induces sleep without any grogginess the next morning.
Tea Preparation:
Steep 1-2 tsp of dried herb in a cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes and consume 2 hours before bed. Remember to cover the cup.
Tincture:
Take 10 to 60 drops 1 hour before bed. Children should not take passionflower tinctures without the approval and supervision of a doctor.
St. John’s Wort is better known for its effectiveness against depression. It is effective in increasing the amount of time we spend in a deep sleep. Deep sleep is the most important part of the sleep cycle as it is the time when your body is most able to restore and replenish itself. If you are having interrupted, unrestful sleep, you may want to consider St. John’s Wort as an herbal ally. Not only will it raise your sense of happiness and well being, it will also improve the quality of your sleep.
Note St. John’s Wort is known to interact with certain prescription medications. Take care when considering the usage of this herb.
Tea preparation:
Steep 1-2 tsp of dried herb in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Cover the cup to keep the essential oils in. Drink 2 hours before bed.
Tincture:
Take ½ tsp with water up to 3 times a day. I have St. John’s wort tincture for sale in my shop.
These herbal sleep aids give you safe, effective herbal solutions for sleeplessness so you can get a good night’s sleep. Waking up refreshed and ready to start your day.
