There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep to start your day off on the right foot. However, getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night can be easier said than done.
Fortunately, there are many herbs and natural remedies that can help promote relaxation and restful sleep. In this article, we’ll explore 30 herbs that are known for their sleep-inducing properties and how to use them.
1. Lavender
Lavender is a popular herb well-known for its calming properties. While most commonly used in essential oils and scents, lavender can also be made into tea or added to a warm bath before bedtime to help promote relaxation and restful sleep.
2. Valerian Root
Valerian root has been used for centuries as a natural sleep aid. It’s commonly taken in supplement form and may help improve sleep quality and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.
3. Chamomile
Chamomile is another well-known sleep-inducing herb. Chamomile tea is often consumed before bed to help relax the mind and body, and it may help improve sleep quality as well.
4. Passionflower
Passionflower is a unique herb that has been shown to have calming and anxiety-reducing effects. It may help quiet racing thoughts and promote relaxation before bedtime.
5. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a citrus-scented herb that has been shown to have a sedative effect. It may help improve sleep quality and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.
6. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to promote relaxation and reduce stress. It may help improve sleep quality and regulate the sleep cycle.
7. Magnolia Bark
Magnolia bark is an herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It may help reduce stress and promote relaxation, making it a useful natural sleep aid.
8. Kava
Kava is a traditional herb used in Pacific Island cultures for its calming and anxiety-reducing effects. It may help promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
9. California Poppy
California poppy is a mild sedative herb that can help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. It’s often used in supplement form to improve sleep quality.
10. Skullcap
Skullcap is another mild sedative herb that can help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. It’s commonly consumed as a tea or in supplement form to improve sleep quality.
11. Hops
Hops is a common ingredient in beer, but it’s also a natural sleep aid. It may help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, making it useful for improving sleep quality.
12. Catnip
While commonly used to entertain cats, catnip can also be used as a natural sleep aid. It may help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, making it useful for improving sleep quality.
13. Lavender Sage
Lavender sage is a unique herb that combines the calming properties of lavender with the sedative properties of sage. It can be consumed in supplement form or as a tea to improve sleep quality.
14. Wild Lettuce
Wild lettuce is a natural sedative herb that can help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. It’s often consumed as a supplement to improve sleep quality.
15. Lemon Verbena
Lemon verbena is a citrus-scented herb that can help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. It’s commonly consumed as a tea before bedtime to improve sleep quality.
16. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort is an herb commonly used to improve mood and reduce anxiety. It may also help regulate the sleep cycle and improve sleep quality.
17. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is an herb commonly used to improve cognitive function, but it may also have sleep-inducing properties. It may help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, making it useful for improving sleep quality.
18. Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is an herb commonly used to treat menopause symptoms, but it may also have sleep-inducing properties. It may help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, making it useful for improving sleep quality.
19. Kanna
Kanna is an herb traditionally used in South Africa for its mood-enhancing properties. It may also help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, making it useful for improving sleep quality.
20. Ashitaba
Ashitaba is an herb traditionally used in Japan for its health-promoting properties. It may also have sleep-inducing properties and may help regulate the sleep cycle.
21. Rhodiola
Rhodiola is an herb commonly used to reduce stress and improve cognitive function. However, it may also have sleep-inducing properties and may help promote relaxation before bedtime.
22. Mulungu
Mulungu is an herb traditionally used in Brazil for its sedative properties. It may help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, making it useful for improving sleep quality.
23. Blue Lotus
Blue lotus is an herb traditionally used in Egypt for its relaxing properties. It may help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, making it useful for improving sleep quality.
24. L-theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid commonly found in tea leaves. It may help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, making it a useful natural sleep aid.
25. Passionfruit
Passionfruit is a fruit that’s been shown to have sedative effects. It may help promote relaxation and improve sleep quality when consumed before bedtime.
26. Gotu Kola
Gotu kola is an herb commonly used to improve cognitive function and reduce stress. However, it may also have sleep-inducing properties and may help promote relaxation before bedtime.
27. Siberian Ginseng
Siberian ginseng is an herb commonly used to improve energy and reduce stress. However, it may also have sleep-inducing properties and may help promote relaxation before bedtime.
28. Maca
Maca is an herb commonly used to improve energy and reduce stress. However, it may also have sleep-inducing properties and may help promote relaxation before bedtime.
29. Holy Basil
Holy basil is an herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to reduce stress and improve cognitive function. It may also have sleep-inducing properties and may help promote relaxation before bedtime.
30. Reishi Mushroom
Reishi mushroom is an herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve immune function and reduce stress. However, it may also have sleep-inducing properties and may help promote relaxation before bedtime.
Conclusion
Getting a good night’s rest is essential for overall health and wellbeing.
While there are many natural remedies and herbs available to help promote relaxation and sleep, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before trying any new supplements. Incorporating herbs and natural remedies into your bedtime routine may help improve the quality and quantity of your sleep, leading to a more refreshed and energized start to your day.