
Guarantee a good night’s sleep with an impressive range of relaxing and mildly sedative herbs.
Adequate sleep is a much-underrated essential for good health. During sleep we not only get to rest, but it is also when the body does most of its repair and healing. Insomnia or broken sleep patterns can wreak havoc on us, but fortunately there is lots we can do to alleviate the situation.
Sleeping pills – some of which are potentially addictive – may do the trick but there are many natural alternatives which do not stress the body with artificial chemicals. Herbs, in either tincture form or made into teas, can nourish, soothe and sedate the nervous system.
A diet rich in wholefoods and low in nerve-jangling caffeine also helps. The nicotine in tobacco is highly stimulating, and alcohol can also disrupt sleep. Regular exercise expends surplus energy which can keep us awake at night. A long bath with calming essential oils (perhaps lit only by candles) can help us wind down.
Incidentally, an old cure for insomnia recommended by naturopaths is barefoot walking on the earth (or lawn) for 10-15 minutes just before bedtime. This grounds the buzzy static electricity in the body – try it!
The premium-quality botanicals listed below are not just for insomniacs, however. Many are useful aids to just relaxing. And with the stressful lives we lead, we could all do with more of that. We are sure you will find something your overwrought nerves will thank you for.