On an average, an adult human needs around 7-9 hours of sleep. Although it is common to have the occasional sleepless night, if the condition persists, then medical help should be sought or various herbal remedies could be used.
Due to never-ending stress in our fast-paced lives, sleep deprivation is a common problem faced by many of us. Many a time, you are so tired that all that you want to do is sleep. But, when you try to sleep, you end up sleeping lightly or not being able to sleep at all. In such cases, exhaustion takes over your body, and you end up resorting to sleeping pills. However, there are side effects to consuming these pills, and hence are not desirable. The other course of action is taking some natural or herbal medication that generally do not have any side effects. Consuming certain herbs will not only calm you down but will also help you sleep peacefully.Valerian
Valerian is a herb that induces restful sleep without any side effects. It has been clinically proven that valerian improves sleep quality, and helps people who are affected by insomnia. People with minor sleeping problems may find it extremely helpful. This herb also relieves spasms and helps in proper digestion. Herbal tea made from valerian root is useful for people affected by insomnia.Soak a teaspoon of valerian roots in a cup of warm water for a whole day. Now, strain and heat it, and consume before dinner or just before going to sleep. However, it should be noted that this herb acts as a central nervous system depressant, and hence should not be taken on a regular basis.German Chamomile
Chamomile is used to treat insomnia and a wide range of other health disorders. A cup of chamomile tea in the night may help you get a good night's sleep. This herb also helps to ease tension and anxiety. Cover the tea to retain the medicinal effects and take it with honey. This is not only one of the best natural herbs for anxiety, but is also the best natural herb for sleeping.Lemon Balm
Also known as one of the calming herbs, lemon balm is used to reduce stress and induce restful sleep. However, various studies have shown that it is used in combination with other herbs like valerian, to induce sleep. If you are affected by minor sleep disorders or are not able to go to sleep once in a while, make lemon balm tea by pouring a cup of hot water on fresh leaves. Allow it to steep for some time and then sip slowly before going to bed.Passionflower
This herb has sedating and tranquilizing properties, but it doesn't give you a dazed feeling in the morning. This herb can be consumed in the form of tea or a capsule. Passionflower tea is made by pouring a cup of hot water on a few leaves and allowing the mixture to steep before drinking it. This tea can be consumed before dinner. It is also known as a good herb for depression.Wild Lettuce
Wild lettuce has a relaxing and calming effect, and it is useful for people who are affected by insomnia. It also helps in relieving muscular pain and is used to treat whooping cough in children. This herb can be infused to make tea. Another way to use this herb is by taking a bath by mixing some leaves in a bathtub full of hot water.Hops
Hops is a flowering herb which is used to treat many health disorders. This herb is one of the effective herbs for sleep disorders because it has qualities that help in reducing anxiety, treating insomnia and restlessness. One of the popular folk remedy is to fill up a pillow with hops and use it to get sound sleep.Kava
Kava is one of the herbs to treat depression and anxiety. It is also good for people affected by insomnia. It can be taken in the form of powder or capsule. It is believed that large doses of this herb are used for deep sleep. However, as it can cause addictions, large doses are not always recommended.Jasmine
Tea made from jasmine flowers has a calming effects on the nerves. Apart from this, jasmine is also used to treat menstrual problems, sensitive skin, and weak stomach. Jasmine is used in many herbal remedies as it helps in relieving many illnesses.Do not exceed the consumption of these herbs and don't make it a habit of using these natural herbs everyday. As too much of any of these herbs may lead to side effects. Ask for expert help in order to derive maximum benefits from these herbs.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.