Herbs that help you sleep well

Insomnia affects millions of people, with negative repercussions on daily life and well-being. From herbs and plants, the most natural remedies to rediscover the serenity of the night.

Sleeping, a basic need. But for in seven the night is a constant nightmare and is called insomnia. In fact, many people suffer from chronic sleep disorders, while for one in five nights in white are frequent. More affected, women.

Resting a little or badly, in the long run, can have negative consequences also important: while we sleep, in fact, the brain processes the experiences and information experienced during the day and rearranges them. This is the REM (Rapid Eyes Movement) phase of sleep.

But, if our brain is not in a position to do this work because of the waking state or a disturbed rest, memory may not work at full capacity.

Not only that: It is while you sleep that the kidney system removes toxins in the best way, the immune system produces more antibodies and multiplies the red blood cell turnover. In short, the lack of adequate hours of sleep can be considered a real disease. But is it possible to tackle the problem naturally?

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An all green help

Since ancient times the plants have been used for therapeutic purposes. Today, taking care of herbs means using phytotherapy, a medicine that goes alongside the conventional one, suitable for those who do not want or can not take traditional medicines.

Natural does not mean harmless: it is always necessary to seek the advice of your doctor before taking care of the herbs. Because plants have a real pharmacological action, and, in particular, some of those indicated to favor sleep interact directly with the central nervous system.

Furthermore, not all insomnia are the same, the remedy must be identified based on the prevalence of symptoms. And it should not be forgotten that some medicinal herbs are contraindicated for children under the age of one and for pregnant women.

Goodnight herbs

Hawthorn: The flowers and fruits of this shrub rich in flavonoids (powerful antioxidants), are suitable for the preparation of night tea. It is especially indicated when the discomfort linked to sleep has a nervous origin. It is able to reduce emotionality and states of tension. This remedy is also suitable for children, for whom it is generally prescribed the fluid extract, to be administered in drops.

Chamomile: The most classic of remedies to reconcile sleep, its flowers contain a high percentage of flavonoids. It has a mildly calming and sedative effect, but the intake of a too concentrated infusion can provoke the opposite effect.

Escolzia: Here is a plant that seems to prefer the female gender: some studies, in fact, note that its effects are more active on the body of women, so that can also be prescribed as a painkiller in the presence of menstrual disorders, because it relaxes the muscle groups. A study of patients complaining of insomnia has shown that it favors both the initial phase of sleep and its overall duration, ensuring a rest without nocturnal awakenings.

You may also like to read: Insomnia: 5 Plants That Help To Sleep

Melissa officinalis: Perfect for people who struggle to sleep with a sporadic frequency, especially when the inability to relax comes from anxiety and stress during the day. Mildly calming, it also improves the quality of sleep in the middle phase, reducing the chances of continuous awakening.

Passiflora incarnata: It has a direct action on the central nervous system, in particular at the level of the zone that controls the movements and the sleep centers.

Useful when insomnia is due to cerebral hyperactivity and excitement. It induces a sleep similar to the physiological one and, despite its effectiveness has been compared to that of benzodiazepines (drugs with a sedative action), does not cause dizziness.

Linden: Its sedative action is particularly recommended for people who somatize anxiety in disorders not only related to the sphere of sleep, but also intestinal. It is the most suitable for children and does not cause drowsiness during the day.

Valeriana officinalis: Its benefits especially as a soothing are known, and are maximum in people who suffer from initial insomnia (i.e. they have difficulty falling asleep) also due to an anxious temperament.

It has a tranquilizing action as it acts on the central nervous system and some studies have shown that it reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and improves the quality of the first hours of sleep. It is in the form of a preparation for infusion, but also of dry extract.

It should be remembered that the latter is generally the preferred form because it is strongly concentrated and the doses of active ingredients are more controlled and uniform.

Often dry extracts are used to make preparations by associating more plants (such as, valerian, lemon balm and escolzia) to improve their effectiveness.

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Embrace Morfeo thanks to the flowers

A simple mixture of flowers, water and little alcohol. This is the secret of Bach Flowers, a way to cure the most diverse emotional disorders, including insomnia, in a sweet way. Use may be associated with herbal medicine and homeopathy.

• White Chestnut: It is the horse chestnut, indicated when the night is tormented by obsessive thoughts and concerns, resulting in inattention during the day.
• Olives: If insomnia has lasted for a long time, this is the flower to associate with White Chestnut.
• Vervain: It is the verbena. Ideal for those suffering from sleep disorders due to the inability to detach from the problems of everyday life, without being able to relax.
• Star of Bethlem: It is a type of wild lily. Specific for those who are subject to sudden night awakenings, for those who find themselves in the middle of the night with eyes wide open, maybe after a bad dream.

The calming power of water

A nice evening habit, the bath in the tub can promote the relaxation necessary for nighttime sleep. Water has the power to wash away worries as well, the rhythm of the organism becomes slower, heat produces comfort.

To enhance the effect, the most suitable plant extracts to add to the water are those of orange blossom, lavender, sweet geranium and chamomile, in the essential oil version. Two or three drops are enough.