Everyone I speak to is having trouble sleeping these days. What ever can be causing such a problem I wonder? I think I know. It could be that the world is being plunged into war and poverty by a small select few who just don’t care. We really have to pull together and remember that we are 7 billion or thereabouts, so they say. There are also many changes occurring within and because of the sun’s activity. Many people’s houses are riddled with 5G via SMART devices and white goods such as fridges and washing machines and I don’t know what else because I just don’t buy into any of that stuff.
So if you are not sleeping well there are techniques for de-stressing and relaxing - breath-work, exercise, yoga, meditation, keeping the bedroom free from devices, making the bedroom a sanctuary of calm and so on. There are also herbs that we can take to get to sleep and to stay asleep.
Passionflower or Passiflora incarnata is one such plant which calms and relaxes mind and body. Sage is wonderful if you are a woman kept awake due to suffering with menopausal symptoms of hot flushes and night sweats. Valerian is a sedative herb that can help you fall off to sleep and also reduces pain. St. John’s Wort is one of many herbs that reduce stress and help you to get a fresh perspective on those issues that make you angry so that you are too fired up to sleep.
Motherwort can also help to induce sleep by reducing anxiety as it is an anti-spasmodic so aids relaxation. Lemon Balm is similar, working to relax the nervous system. Chamomile is mildly sedative and also aids digestion - so if your digestive system is not functioning properly, it may be keeping you awake and so Chamomile can help.
Rosemary, although a tonic and stimulating herb can also aid sleep and helps the mind to focus so it is not jumping all over the place keeping you awake. Use Hawthorn if you have any cardio-vascular issues and find that you sleep better as you feel more relaxed.
I have gone beyond 7 herbs as fortunately there are many herbs you can try to come at your sleep issue from different angles. Pain, indigestion, stress and anxiety are all causes of sleeplessness so you may need to address those issues first. Skullcap and Lavender are another two herbs that I think are worth considering.
If you are suffering with insomnia - address the underlying causes; practise relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, breath work or whatever suits you, create a sanctuary of peace in your bedroom and try these herbs.
