Herbal Sleeping Aids
Image via Wikipedia
We all know how we feel when we haven’t had a decent nights sleep, grumpy and out of sorts with those around us. Sometimes our sleep problems can be due to stress or anxiety, problems in our life or sometimes there doesn’t seem to be any apparent reason for our restlessness.
With the majority of us needing around 8 hours sleep per night in order to function at our best, we will often try anything from listening to our favorite music to counting sheep to eventually getting so fed up and tired that we drag ourselves to the doctor’s in the hope that he will prescribe a sleeping aid.
Even if your doctor provides you with some relief, it is usually only in the short term and if problems persist then you could find yourself back to square one. Or even worse you have more trouble sleeping when you come off the pills. There is another way you could find sleep and that is by turning to an herbal remedy. Here are some of the most popular natural remedies:
Trytophan
There is a natural substance called Tryptophan that is an essential amino acid. It is found in dairy products and foods that are high in protein, it is also known for its particular effect when it comes to calming the system. Common sources include, milk, bananas, turkey, peanuts and eggs
Calcium
Calcium is another naturally calming agent, this is also found in many dairy products and can help the body and mind to calm down after a busy day and rest. Herbal teas There are a huge variety of herbal teas which can help you to get a good night sleep; the most widely used as a sleeping aid include chamomile, lemon balm, passion flower, peppermint and red clover.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a substance that is naturally produced by the body, usually when the body is asleep or resting. It is a hormone that has been studied extensively and is thought to help around 5% of those whose have sleep problems.
Other possible remedies
Valerian, chamomile, California poppy, Skullcap and St.Johns wort are all worth mentioning. In fact some of the ingredients listed can be found in many over the counter remedies that are sold in health food stores. While the possibility of becoming addicted to any form of sleeping aid is always there, herbal remedies provide no exception. However, natural remedies do not carry as much risk of addiction as do traditional medications prescribed by a doctor.
