There are few things worse than lying in bed hour after hour, unable to get to sleep, and persistent sleeplessness can seriously affect your work, your health and your general functioning. Many people are unwilling to resort to prescribed sleeping pills because of fears of dependency and side effects, and are looking instead to herbal sleep remedies. However, there is very little knowledge of what herbal sleep remedies are available, or what their particular properties are.
Two of the most popular and highly recommended herbal sleep remedies are valerian and chamomile. Valerian root comes from a perennial shrub that grows in many parts of the world, and is found to have very soothing and calming effects. It can be taken in a tea, in pill form, or as an alcohol extract, which many prefer as the tea has a bitter taste. Some strongly recommend using a combination of two parts valerian to one part hops, as it is reported that this combination is a more powerful remedy than either on its own. Chamomile is known as one of gentlest and mildest of the herbal sleep remedies. You can just add the flowers to boiling water, allow to steep for 5-10 minutes, and sweeten with honey if you wish. Chamomile is so mild that it can be used every day with no side effects and no risk of dependency, although it can be a problem for people with some allergies. Passion flower has a very similar effect to chamomile.
Other popular herbal sleep remedies include lavender and vanilla, which can also be made into a tea. Lavender is well known for the soothing effect of its scent, and you should savour the full effect of the scent as well as the drink. Another of the most popular herbal sleep remedies is Kava Kava, which is obtained in herbal supplement form. Kava Kava is not marketed as a sleeping aid, but many people find it has an extremely soothing and calming effect.
Drinking teas or swallowing pills is not the only way to take herbal sleep remedies. For many people, the most effective way of getting to sleep is to have a herbal bath before going to bed. There are many herbal sleep remedies that can be used in the bath in oil form, including chamomile, mint, passion flower, hops, lavender and lime flower. If you add a few drops to the water and take 15-20 minutes for a relaxing soak in the tub, breathing in the aroma of the herbal oils, it should prove an extremely effective sleep aid. Herbal sleep remedies can also take the form of lighting a scented candle of herbal oil, and placing it near where you sleep, or soaking a handkerchief or other piece of cloth with a soothing herbal oil such as lavender, and putting it under the pillow.
The great thing about herbal sleep remedies is that they are all safe, but each has its special properties, and different ones are more effective for different people. Some herbal sleep remedies should only be used occasionally, while other are more effective when used over a long period. A herbalist or a naturopathic physician can help you decide which would help you the most.