Medicinal Herbs for: Deep Sleep, Insomnia, and Restlessness

Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for the health of the body and mind. Living a fast-paced lifestyle, an influx of information and imbalanced diets are just some of the many reasons countless people struggle with sleep. Herbs can help support the nervous system, promote relaxation and induce better sleep.

Passionflower

Did you know that a 2005 clinical trial showed the use of passionflower for children with attention-deficit hyperac- tivity disorder (ADHD) was a promising natural alternative to common stimulants given for this disorder?

Passionflower is a calming and relaxing herb, with a long-time history of inducing deep sleep, calming anxiety and panic attacks, and has strong antispasmodic qualities.

• Helps with nerve troubles

• Improves conditions of insomnia and restlessness.

• Aids circulation.

• It helps tone the sympathetic nervous system.

• Passionflower has also been used for nerve debility and

  sciatica.

• Compounds in passionflower bind to the same areas of the

  brain affected by calming neurotransmitters called GABA.

Hops

Hops is one of the best-known calmative herbs, with many uses. Like the Cannabis plant, Hops has sexes. There are male and female plants, distinguishable by their flowers. Only the female plants produce the hop cones used in herbal preparations.

• Used for insomnia, sleeplessness, and mental confusion.

• Valuable for hypertension, anxiety and all sorts of nervous

  troubles.

• Hops-stuffed pillows have been used since the ancient

  times to help soothe the entire nervous system and

  promote sleep.

• Topically applied—as a fomentation—Hops is known to help

  inflammation, rheumatism, and boils.

Wild Lettuce

Wild Lettuce, used for insomnia and restlessness, has also been known as lettuce opium.

• Helps calm down an overly stimulated nervous system.

• Anti-spasmodic benefits have been observed which aids with chronic coughs, whooping cough, and even colic pains

• Used in hyperactive children.

• Contains Vitamins B and C, and magnesium which aids

  natural sleep effects.

• Studies have shown Wild Lettuce (and its active compo-

  nents lactucin and derivatives) to be at least as effective in some pain management as Ibuprofen, and also possesses sedative properties.

Chamomile

Chamomile—safe and effective in
children and adults—has been used
for centuries. Representing humility in flower language, it is a well-known gentle
herb for relaxation, nervousness, stress, reducing overall tension. It is often used to promote a relaxed sleep.

• Very calming and soothing.

• Combines very well with other nervines (nerve calmatives).

• Has protective effects on the gastrointestinal lining, which

  helps with indigestion, gastritis, bloating and improved

  blood flow.

• A long history of direct topical use for bruises and swelling.

• Used as mouth wash for toothaches and gingivitis.

• May calm a sore throat.