Herbs To Help You Sleep

There's a wide choice of sleep aids that you can pick from if you're having trouble getting asleep or suffering from full blown insomnia. For most people the easy choice is to use some form of sleeping tablet that helps them sleep better each night. The problem with taking sleeping tablets to help you sleep is that they're very powerful and it can be quite easy to become addicted to them over time. The other risk with powerful medications is the obvious one of overdosing on them which, sadly, can and does happen.

Nature provides us with pretty much everything we need to survive and in this case to relax. There are alway natural alternatives to prescription pills and they have little or no side effects. They're also not addictive so can be taken, in moderation, quite safely.

Here's a quick list of the most common herbs to help promote sleep:

Hops
These were used by Native Americans for generations as a natural sleep aid. Now lots of other people are discovering the benefits of using hops for falling asleep faster. They are also effective at relieving anxiety and stress, two of the most common causes of insomnia so they're a really useful herb to consider if you're having any form of relaxation or sleeping problem.

Chamomile
For centuries now people have experienced the benefits of chamomile teas in aiding sleep and relaxation. There are no known side effects associated with the use of chamomile and the dried flower can also be used to relive upset stomachs and mild muscular inflammation.

Jasmine
An infusion of Jasmine in a tea again has been used for hundreds of years as a useful way of helping people of all ages get asleep that little bit faster. Because of the mild nature of the herb, it is often used in the treatment of sleeplessness in children and people with weakened immune systems.

Lavender
This is a great natural sleep aid as both a scent and an infused tea. You'll find lots of relaxation/sleep aid products in stores that contain lavender including tea bags, candles, lotions, bubble baths, and soaps. A few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow is a great way of helping you sleep.

Peppermint
You wouldn't normally associate peppermint with relaxation (chewing gum maybe), but the truth is that peppermint can be a great natural sleep aid. Often used in teas, the herb is very good for relieving indigestion and cases of insomnia related to stress or anxiety. It is important to tell your doctor about using peppermint as a sleep aid if you are taking any other medications because the peppermint can interfere with the effects of the medications that you're taking.

Sage
Sage is a truly versatile herb in that it can be used to treat many different conditions including insomnia and depression. Sage is preferred by many people because of the number of ways the herb can be taken. Sage can be used to spice foods, infused into a tea, or can be taken as a supplement and still provide the desired effects for the person.