Who else has a hard time waking up in the morning? A large part of the issue is due to lack of sleep. Is lacking sleep that serious? Well, long term sleep deprivation can cause moodiness, fatigue, forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, as well as other health problems. Yikes! In fact, it is recommended that adults catch at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. However, for some of you, falling asleep is the issue. So what can help? Perhaps herbals teas are just what you need to help you doze off into blissful zen~ Here are 7 herbal teas we recommend sipping 20-30 mins before you snooze!
Chamomile is a herb that comes from flowers that look like daisies and has been consumed for centuries as a natural remedy to help aid sleep. It is widely enjoyed as a caffeine alternative and has a pleasant earthy taste. Chamomile contains apigenin, an antioxidant that can help promote sleepiness and help with sleep issues. A study showed that those who consumed chamomile twice a day woke up less often during the night and fell asleep faster than those who did not consume chamomile.
This herb is believed to have a calming affect to help reduce anxiety. It is also said to help produce a calming effect that can help promote sleep. According to a study studied on mice, it was found that this mint herb helps increase GABA levels, which suggests that lemon balm can act as a sedative to help achieve deep sleep.
Valerian root is an herb most commonly used for sleep disorders. It has also been used to reduce anxiety and stress. Research as shown that this herb can reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep by about 15-20 minutes.
If you haven't gotten a whiff of lavender, just the smell itself is so calming! There's a lot out there from lavender lotions, mists, bathbombs, essential oils, and more! It is believed that lavender can help relieve anxiety by affecting the brain with its' scent. Drinking lavender tea prior to bed can help you achieve better sleep. According to several studies, lavender tea can boost the production of dopamine, reduce stress hormones, induce a calming affect to promote sleep.
A calming, floral tea made from the flowers, leaves, and stems of the Passiflora Incarnata plant. Studies have suggest that this flower might help relieve sleep related issues and anxiety. It also appears to boost GABA levels which may help you relax and sleep better.
While hops are well known as being used in making beer, they also have some medicinal benefits, one of which is as a sleep aid! It is a relaxing sedative herb and is even more effective when it is combined with Valerian Root. Sip some hop tea 20-30 minutes prior to bed to help induce sleepiness~
This herb is naturally caffeine free, which makes this a nice, soothing tea to drink prior to bed. It is also known as a muscle relaxant, so it may help relieve menstrual cramps that may otherwise keep you up from sleeping.
