Waking Up on the Right Side of the Bed

If you aren’t getting good sleep at night this is likely contributing to other problems in your life like brain fog, anxiety, depression, fatigue, irritability, headaches, and mood swings. There may be many important factors to look at that could be causing this lack of sleep in the first place like screen time before bed, stress, pain in the body, eating too late, or disruptive sleeping companions. However, as you work on doing the lifestyle changes necessary herbs can be very supportive. Let’s look at 5 different herbs and how they can help you get a better rest. 

1. Passionflower, Passiflora incarnata

Passionflower is a cooling nervine specific for lack of sleep due to mental chatter. It’s for that person who seems to want to solve every problem in their life the moment then lay down to sleep. Passionflower is also great for any nervous ticks of agitation that are preventing sleep.

2. Valerian, Valeriana officinalis

Probably the most known herb for sleep, valerian is a warming sedative. As a great antispasmodic valerian is great for people who can’t sleep due to muscle spasms like restless legs and menstrual cramps. Valerian also is great for that high-stress person who can’t relax. There is a very small amount of the population who has the opposite effect when they take valerian root, if you discover that this is you discontinue valerian before bed.

3. Hops, Humulus lupulus

Hops is a cooling nervine that is my favorite for people who wake up throughout the night. Just think about how relaxed you feel after a hoppy IPA! Whether you’re naturally waking up in the middle of the night or if it’s due to disturbances, hops is sure to put you right back to sleep. Keeping a tincture or tea on your nightstand is great for ensuring a smooth process back to sleep.

4. Chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla

This sweet nervine is especially my favorite for kids! Whether they aren’t going to sleep due to nightmares, teething, or adhd this gentle herb is like a comforting hug. It’s also great for adults who get night terrors or feel restless before bed.

5. Kava Kava, Piper methysticum

Lastly the famous kava kava! This is my favorite muscle relaxant. It is wonderful for restless legs, insomnia with muscle tension, and muscle pain that may prevent one from sleeping. If you have pre-existing liver problems kava kava is not advised.

Using these herbs individually as teas or tinctures is great to experience how each herb feels on its own, but it has been found that herbs work better in combination. By combining herbs for different types of sleep issues you get a great well-rounded formula for any sleep complaint. You can find passionflower, valerian, hops, and chamomile in our Sleep Tight Tincture or you can find passionflower, kava kava, chamomile, and valerian in our Deep Sleep Tea Blend. 

Other things to note when it comes to taking herbs before bed is to take it at least 1-2 hours before bed to allow yourself to unwind and then again if you think you need it 30 minutes before bed with tea and right before bed with a tincture. If you are waking up throughout the night keep the tea or tincture at your bedside table.