Herbs for Halloween

Stock up on some calming remedies to help you get a restful night

It’s Halloween again on October 31st - the time of year when kids get out on the streets to do some trick or treating so be prepared if you hear a knock on the door as dusk falls for a couple of children or more adorned with witches hats or masks demanding treats such as sweets, money or apples. If even the thought of these pranksters is sending shivers down your spine it could be time to consider some relaxing herbs to calm your nerves.

First comes passiflora or passionflower. Well known for its sedative, calming properties, passionflower contains alkaloids, glycosides and steroids and it is thought that the alkaloid, sometimes known as passiflorine, is the main active ingredient. It can be taken as a tea, tincture or capsules but can take a few weeks to be fully effective so think ahead and start a course as soon as you can. A single cup of tea could calm you down in the short term.

Valerian is another herb that could be worth a try especially if after the disturbances of the night you find it hard to get to sleep. Extracts of valerian root contain natural compounds known as iridoids that have a calming effect on the nervous system, which can help to relax you, putting you in the mood for slumber Valerian is also often combined with other herbs such as lemon balm and hops, both of which are renowned for their calming properties.

Passion flower can be found in RelaxHerb - a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with stress such as mild anxiety, based on traditional use only.