Sleeping Herbs?

Hello, everyone. I've been having trouble with sleeping lately and I hate it! I really need my sleep because going to bed around 4 am and having to wake up at 7 am is the worse thing ever.

I have heard of the most common herbs to help you sleep such as Ashwagandha, Lavander, and Valerian. However, I would like to know what most of you guys do to help with sleep, and maybe I could do them and it could help me fall asleep.

Also, listening any tricks that have helped you fall asleep would be awesome! I am always open to trying new things. :)

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I use a magnetic mask.
Knocks me right out.

Before I go to sleep I usually perform some calming exercises such as tensing parts of your body one by one than releasing it. You can also use the herbs you mentioned and make a little herb pouch and put it under your pillow or make them into a herbal tea

One or two cups of chamomile tea a day helps to relief stress that wich can cause you to sleep worse. Also if stess is not the cause a cup of non caffeinted chamomile tea before you go to sleep can do wonders.

As Mattijin said, I've found drinking chamomile tea right before bed to be most effective when I have troubles sleeping (which is often). Also, I've never tried it before but I've known people who take melatonin (which is already found in the body, it is the chemical that induces sleep) supplements to help fall asleep but I've heard about it having adverse effects when taking the supplements to long or in excess. You said you already knew about lavender, I like to take a bath with lavender oil in it, candles lit, soft music, and the lights off to relax. There are also lotions that contain lavender.

Thank you, everyone, for giving me some great tea's to make and some new things to try out! I really do appreciate your replies. :)

For me, I use valerian root (in a number of ways) to help me get to sleep, but also to help with muscle pain or menstrual pains. You can use valerian in a multitude of ways, but my number one way is to put some of the root in a hot bath and leave it to soak for a while, then have the bath before going to bed. Alternstively, putting a few drops of valerian essential oil on your bedsheet is said to help with sleep as well. You can also brew teas and things with valerian root/extract.

However! Even though valerian is only a very mild sedative, if you are going to ingest it PLEASE consult a doctor first!! Moreover, if you still have trouble sleeping after trying different herbal remedies, I would suggest seeing a doctor.

Other herbs that canhelp you to relax and fell asleep are:

-hops flowers (dried female stobiles). Latin name Humulus lupulus.

-passion flower (the flower of the passion fruit vine). The Latin name is Passiflora incarnata. Please note there are many different types and species of this plant.

-lemon balm leaves. The Latin name is Melissa Officinalis. You can make tea or tincture from them.

-linden tree flowers. These are the flowers of the Tilia Cordata. They are also known as Lime trees or basswood in North America. Not be mistaken with the tree that grows limes( citrus fruit similar to lemon). The tea made of the flowers is very delicious and sweet.

-Californian Poppy and Common poppy flowers and seeds. The seeds and flowers have mild sleeping effect on human body, but they are not as strong or addictive as the Opium Poppy (Papaver Somniferum). Never drink or consume anything made of the Opium plant. If you cannot make distinction between the different types of poppies, do not pick them yourself but order the herb from a reputable source, so no harm comes your way. I grow both Californian Poppies and Corn/Common poppy, so I am very familiar with both species.

I also use Ylang Ylang and Bergamot essential oils before going to sleep, if I feel restless. Some meditation and yoga before sleep helps as well.

If you keep having problems with sleep and cannot go to sleep naturally it is worth consulting your general practitioner. They might consider to send you to some centre for sleep science, if your sleeping cycle is really missing or disturbed significantly.

Also avoid any teas and drinks that act as stimulants of the nervous system.

I swear by using lavender essential oil over my clothes and pillow just a few drops.Never apply it directly on your skin.Also you can try and keep a chamomile tea bag under your pillow.Avoid drinking a lot of water just before sleep because it interrupts your sleep.

I make a lavander chamomile tea and I sleep like a rock. I usually meditate before i go to bed because that calms me down and its easier to fall asleep when you are relaxed. Meditating before bed is especially helpful when you've had a stressful day.