Give me sleep

Too stressed to slumber? Try some herbal remedies to relax you

With the economic downturn hitting the headlines day after day perhaps it’s not that surprising that many of us are finding it hard to get to sleep. But if money worries, work or family issues are giving you endless nights of tossing and turning you need to address the problem fast. Lack of sleep soon leads to more anxiety and before you know it you are caught in a vicious circle of stress and yet more bad sleep. So what’s the solution?

The answer is to sort out the underlying problem as best you can and to take some soothing herbs to help relax you and lower those stress levels. Read on for some sleep-boosting remedies.

• Camomile This lovely plant with its daisy-like flowers is a well-known natural remedy for sleep. Try it in a soothing night time tea. Put one teabag or 5-8g of loose camomile into a cup of boiling water. Cover and leave to infuse for a few minutes before drinking.
• Valerian 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 sleep. Valerian is often combined with other herbs such as lemon balm and hops, both of which are renowned for their calming properties.
• Passionflower The vibrant blooms of this distinctive South American climber yield soporific fruits that are often used to calm nervous tension. Passionflower combines well with camomile and valerian to aid sleep. To make an infusion put I teaspoon of dried plant into a cup of boiling water. Leave to infuse for a few minutes before straining and drinking.
• Lavender The dried flowers of this deliciously scented plant have been used as a sedative since the 12th century. Invest in a lavender pillow; alternatively sprinkle up to four drops of lavender essential oil on your pillowcase and inhale the aroma as you drift off into the land of sweet dreams.

Try these…

• Stick to a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day—even on the weekends.
• Don't take naps after 3 p.m. Naps can boost your brainpower, but late afternoon naps can make it harder to fall asleep at night.
• Have a good sleeping environment. Get rid of anything that might distract you from sleep, such as noises, bright lights, an uncomfortable bed, or a TV or computer in the bedroom.
• Take a hot bath before bed. The drop in body temperature after the bath may help you feel sleepy, and the bath can help relax you.
• Relax before bed. Take time to unwind. A relaxing activity, such as reading or listening to music, should be part of your bedtime ritual.

Valerian can be found in NiteHerb - A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of sleep disturbances due to symptoms of mild anxiety based on traditional use only.