Getting a good night’s sleep is important to start the day off on a good foot and to your overall well-being. The difference between getting a poor night of sleep versus a restorative night of sleep can be the difference of positively or negatively affecting those around you, not just yourself. For this reason and many others, it’s important that you prioritize your sleep health. If you struggle with falling asleep or sleep disorders, the good news is that there are plenty of natural remedies out there that can help, such as drinking certain herbal teas. Here’s a closer look at the best teas for sleep that can help you on your journey to a restful night.
Best Teas for Sleep
Chamomile
Chamomile tea is one of the most popular, best teas for sleep. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and sleep-inducer, containing the antioxidant apigenin. This antioxidant also attributes to the calming effects of chamomile. It also helps reduce anxiety, thus allowing for a natural sleep induction.
While chamomile can help a majority of people get a better night of sleep, it doesn’t always work for those with chronic insomnia. In this case, a more serious resolution, such as sleep medication, may need to be taken.
Valerian Root
Valerian root tea is another great sleep aid. For years, valerian root has treated insomnia and anxiety. It still serves as one of the most popular sleep aids in the United States. The science behind valerian root is that it increases the production of the neurotransmitter “gamma-aminobutyric acid” or GABA. This particular neurotransmitter causes the feeling of being tired. You can find GABA in Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication.
Passionflower
Passionflower reduces anxiety and improves your mood. By reducing anxiety, passionflower hops serve as a powerful, natural way to decrease insomnia and help induce sleep. The tea is made by drying the leaves and flowers of the Passiflora plant. Using passionflower alongside valerian root can help increase the likelihood of a good night’s sleep.
Lavender
Lavender soothes and calms. It can be used in a variety of different ways — as a tea, a balm for sore muscles, a calming aromatic, and is even added to baths or pillowcases to help soothe the soul. If you’re looking for the best teas for sleep, you can purchase the leaves in a store or harvest your own by collecting the small purple buds from lavender flowers and drying them. Lavender also decreases heart rate and can improve your overall breathing.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm tea, like many others, helps reduce anxiety. However, the unique thing about lemon balm is that it also helps reduce indigestion, which is another reason why people may be up in the wee hours of the night. Have you ever gone out to dinner and eaten too much? Or had a late night at work and eaten dinner way too late? Lemon balm is a great solution to this predicament. People may also find lemon balm tea much easier to consume because it has a nice lemony, minty taste. Like lavender, lemon balm can be paired with chamomile or valerian root to produce a more potent sleep aid tea.
“Sleep-Aid” Teas
There are a number of tea brands out there that have already figured out what herbs work best together and have combined them into their own sleepy-time concoction. Some, like Gaia’s “Sleep and Relax”, combines passionflower, lemon balm, licorice, and chamomile all in one blend. Depending on your preference for taste and your level of insomnia, you may want to try out a few different of these teas until you can find the one best suited for you. Here’s a great list to start with.
Sleep Disorder Treatment NYC
If you’re struggling with falling asleep or staying asleep, don’t hesitate to contact your sleep doctor if tea’s just aren’t cutting it. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Shukla today to get you back on a healthy track.
