We can probably all agree that sleepless nights are not fun.
Read on to explore our favourite herbs to help you rest and restore.
Sleep is so critical to support balanced mood, brain function, energy levels, immunity and more. And when we’re not getting enough of it, it can cause a lot of anxiety, which can then exacerbate our poor sleep!
What’s more, prescription sleep aids often have high risk for addiction and can contribute to grogginess the next day! Thankfully, herbs can really come in handy when addressing insomnia and disturbed sleep patterns. In fact, there are many herbs that are effective sleep aids, some stronger than others!
We’ve been receiving lots of enquiries regarding herbal sleep aids, so we wanted to put together a comprehensive list of our favourites. These herbs address sleep disturbances in their own unique ways, so play around and find out what works best for you. The good news is, none of these herbs have a high-risk for dependency and are relatively safe to use!
Be sure to check out our blogs on Cultivating Healthy Sleep Habits and 5 Tips for a more Restorative Nights Sleep for more tips on how to optimise your precious sleep & reap the rewards of rest!
Valerian
Valerian Root has anti-spasmodic, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), hypnotic, and sedative properties, making it a highly effective tool for insomnia. It acts as a muscle relaxant and mild tranquiliser, resulting in a feeling of ‘floating in the air’. According to scientific research, extracts of the root appear to affect the GABA neurotransmitter receptor in mammalian nervous systems; this receptor system is the same system affected by sedative benzodiazepine drugs. Valerian can therefore likely be used as a safer alternative to benzodiazepines, assisting with treatment of stress, tension, anxiety, and insomnia.
Try Valerian as a Tea, Spagyric or in our Sleepy Time tea blend.
Mulungu
Mulungu has a long tradition of use in Brazil and Peru as a natural sedative for nervous disorders such as insomnia, anxiety, stress and depression. It has become one of our most popular herbs for sleep problems, and many people find it very effective. Mulungu is a strong sedating herb – it calms and sedates the nervous system to encourage deep sleep and healthy sleeping patterns. It’s also beneficial for mental disturbances such as depression, anxiety and stress, hysteria, panic, trauma and shock.
Passionflower
Passionflower is a sedative and nervine herb, making it an amazing tool to use for a sound, restful sleep. Most users report waking up with a smile on their face in the mornings after a deep passionflower slumber. Like Valerian Root, it works by boosting GABA levels in the brain, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
Try Passionflower as a Tea, Spagyric or in our Sleepy Time tea blend.
California Poppy
California poppy has a reputation of being a milder, non-addictive alternative to other poppies, and can be used for insomnia. California Poppy is also a useful pain relieving herb, particularly in cases of nerve-generated pain such as sciatica, neuralgia and migraine. If you are experiencing trouble sleeping due to pain, this is definitely a herb to try! When used as a tea before bed, California Poppy promotes a long, restful sleep. Sometimes it can be so effective that we recommend being in bed before taking it – the drowsiness can set in very quickly! PRO TIP: It’s also quite bitter as a tea, so we recommend trying our California Poppy Spagyric.
Try California Poppy as a Tea, Spagyric or in our Sleepy Easy spagyric blend.
Here’s what one happy customer said about our California Poppy Spagyric:
“Dream time guarantee!
Does exactly what you would expect – relaxes all over before taking you to the land of Nod in seriously quick time! Would recommend a few drops more than indicated if using alone, or a few less if combining with Sleepy time tea. Excellent product!”
Wild Lettuce
Wild Lettuce is a valuable remedy for insomnia and restlessness. As an antispasmodic, anodyne and nervine, this relaxing herb can be beneficial for people needing help to get to sleep, calm restlessness or anxiety, and even as an aid when overcoming tobacco and cannabis habits. It’s also helpful for reducing pain, so if that’s what’s keeping you up at night, this could be one to try.
Try Wild Lettuce as a Tea or smoke to experience its relaxing effects.
Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the most well-known herbs for promoting sleep & relaxation. Often enjoyed as a tea, Chamomile contains antioxidants that bind to certain receptors in your brain that may help you feel relaxed and reduce anxiety, making it easier to drift off to sleep. A warm cup of chamomile tea about 30 minutes before bed can be a soothing part of your nightly routine.
Try Chamomile as a tea on its own, or in our Sleepy Time tea blend.
Lavender
Lavender is famous for its calming scent, and research shows that it can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. You can use Lavender in various forms: essential oils for aromatherapy, dried Lavender sachets placed under your pillow, a Lavender bath and also Lavender tea. Adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to a diffuser or your bath before bed can create a tranquil environment conducive to sleep.
Try it out in this delicious Lavender Moon Milk recipe!
Try Lavender flowers on their own as a tea or bath, or in our Sleepy Time tea blend.
Lemon Balm
A member of the mint family, lemon balm has been traditionally used to improve mood and cognitive function, but it also has mild sedative properties. Lemon balm makes a delicious addition to bedtime tea blends, often combined with other calming herbs like chamomile or valerian for enhanced effects.
Try Lemon Balm as a tea on its own, or in our Sleepy Time tea blend.
Blue Lily
This sacred lily from ancient Egypt is often used to improve mood, relax the mind and body and sometimes as an aphrodisiac. Many of our customers find its dreamy energy helps them unwind, quiet their overactive minds and drop off into restful slumber.
Try Blue Lily as a tea or smoke on its own, or in our premium Blue Lily Bliss tincture.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, which means it helps the body adapt to stress. This herb can be particularly helpful for those who struggle with sleep due to anxiety or stress. It’s available in various forms, including dried root, powder, capsules and teas. Regular use of ashwagandha may support better sleep by lowering cortisol levels and promoting a sense of calm.
Try Ashwagandha as a Tea, Spagyric or in our Sleepy Easy spagyric blend.
Hops
Hops are most commonly associated with brewing beer, but they also have a long history of being used as a natural remedy for sleep disorders. The flowers of the hop plant contain compounds that have sedative effects, making them particularly effective in reducing restlessness and anxiety, both of which can interfere with sleep. Hops are often combined with valerian root in herbal teas and supplements to create a powerful, natural sleep aid. A warm cup of hops tea before bed can help calm your nervous system and prepare you for a deep, restorative sleep.
Try Hops for yourself, and let us know how it works for you!
Here’s what one of our customers had to say about Hops:
“Best sleep ever!
A friend of mine recommended some hops tea for my restless sleep. I never thought it would work but wow! I was impressed. Fell asleep pronto and only woke up once for a bathroom visit. Highly recommend it if you suffer from insomnia or restlessness. The flavour isn’t unpleasant too… just a slight bitterness reminiscent of… beer (LOL!)”
Kava
Kava, also known as kava kava, is a root from the South Pacific islands that has been traditionally used to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. It works by interacting with neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly GABA, which helps to calm the mind and ease tension. Kava is traditionally consumed as a cold infusion and it’s particularly helpful for those who have difficulty sleeping due to stress or anxiety.
Learn more about Kava here:
Skullcap
Skullcap is highly valued for its ability to soothe and tone the nervous system. This herb has mild sedative properties and is often used to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia. Skullcap is particularly effective when combined with other calming herbs like valerian, passionflower, or lemon balm. It’s also very effective for tension headaches.
Try Skullcap as a tea or spagyric.
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