Many sleep deprived people are faced with the challenge of finding a cure that will help them get more sleep. It seems like there are more and more and sleep aids becoming readily available to the sleep deprived nation. I know because I’m one of the many people that suffer from lack of sleep. I’ve tried over the counter sleep aids only to find that it helps temporarily or that my body needs them to sleep. If an over the counter sleep aid can produce an addictive behavior I can only imagine how addictive a prescription sleep aid can become. So what do you do if you don’t want to take a sleep aid to be able to sleep every night?
If you’ve exhausted all attempts with sleep aids and still haven’t found any relief, take a trip to your local health food store. You will be able to find some natural supplements that might aid in the relief of your sleep deprived lifestyle. Keep in mind that many of these remedies haven’t been tested, however they’ve been used for many years in many different cultures to naturally relax and get a good night’s sleep. Here are some common herbal remedies; give them a try and more than likely you’ll find one that works.
German chamomile. This comes in the form of a tea and you simply brew it and drink it. The tea helps you relax which should help you fall fast asleep. What’s even better about this is that you can drink this tea during the day if you need to just relax and unwind. There isn’t a medical sleep aid on the market that is safe to use during the day!
Lemon balm. This is available in a few different forms such as capsules, tea or a liquid extract, leaving you with the option to use what’s most convenient for you. This herb is commonly used in gardens for its lemony scent but it’s a great relaxing herb that will help relieve stress and calm your nerves.
Valerian root. Unlike some of the other herbs out there that haven’t been clinically tested this one has been the subject of several clinical trials. It has been found to help people fall asleep faster and wake up feeling rested. This herb is also available in liquid, pill or tea form.
Catnip. Ok I’m sure I know what you are thinking because I thought the same thing! Catnip? No way! Think again. People associate catnip with cats and how it makes them go wild and crazy. It can have quite the opposite effect on people. Catnip has some of the same chemicals that valerian root contains and can help calm you down. Not only does catnip provide sedative effects it has also been known to help with indigestion and heartburn. It’s available in a liquid extract form or as a tea.
St John’s Wort. This herb has been around for many years and often time’s people associate it with an herb that helps with anxiety and depression. That is true but it also can help you fall asleep at night. It’s very important to make sure that you do not take more than the recommended dosage because too much can be harmful!
Lavender. This is a great herb because it comes in many more forms and if you don’t like to take something orally this herb can be rubbed on your skin, put into a bath, put on your pillow or infused in the air. It is also available in tea form. Lavender is so safe that it can be used on babies and children.
Although herbs are typically slower acting than modern medicine, if you stick with it after a couple days or maybe even a couple weeks you should feel their full effect. It is recommended that you consult a physician before taking any of these herbal remedies, especially if you are taking prescription medicines.
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