Infusions for Sleep and Relaxation
Anxiety, stress and insomnia problems are more common these days due to people’s increasing responsibilities at home and stress at work. Herbal infusions for sleep can help – and they can be as effective as medicine at eliminating anxiety and improving sleep. Here, we’ll talk about five great relaxing infusions that will help you get to sleep more easily and rest more deeply.
Passion Flower Infusion
Passion flower tea is a fantastic natural remedy for alleviating anxiety and giving stress the boot. Also known as the maypop, wild apricot, wild passion vine or passiflora caerulea, passion flower acts as a light sedative. This is why a passion flower infusion is so effective at helping you sleep. It’s a common herb that can be found in many natural shops. If you find that the flavour isn’t to your liking, you can add a bit of maple syrup, agave nectar or concentrated fruit juice to the infusion.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is the celebrity of natural remedies for insomnia issues. Available in almost any supermarket or health food shop, you’ll find that it has a very mellow taste. Don’t want to drink it? Try soaking in it! Pop a few tea bags in your tub for a luxurious and relaxing chamomile bath.
Valerian Infusion
Valerian tea is another well-known infusion for sleep. Scientific studies have illustrated its efficacy, although why valerian works so well to help you sleep still isn’t exactly clear. You’ll find valerian – in tincture or tea form – in some supermarkets, chemists, health food shops or on the internet. Valerian infusion is better for insomnia if taken at certain times. For instance, as it does cause drowsiness, it’s advised to take it within an hour of your bedtime. This is also why it’s ideal for the treatment of chronic insomnia.
Linden Blossom Tea
Perhaps lesser known than its famous friends, valerian and chamomile, linden blossom is, nonetheless, a great infusion for relaxation. Look for it at health food shops. If you drink linden blossom tea when you’re preparing to turn in for the night, it will help you to relax. This is due to its vasodilating effect. As a result of your blood vessels widening, your muscles will relax and you’ll fall asleep more quickly. You may want to experiment with how much you need. If you find that one cup isn’t enough, you can safely drink up to four cups a day. Just ensure that you don’t drink them all at once – and don’t exceed the suggested dose because excess linden blossom can have a toxic effect.
Kava Tea
It’s official science! The relaxing effects of kava tea have been verified scientifically. It is one of the safest infusions for sleep because it’s a natural product so it won’t lead to dependency. Buy a good quality kava, and make sure it’s pure. The kind that you’re likely to see at supermarkets may not be powerful or concentrated enough to produce the desired effect. Kava tea is a great accomplice for relaxing the body and preparing it for sound slumber.
A last word of common sense: if you have persistent trouble in getting to sleep or staying asleep even after you’ve tried a few different techniques and natural remedies, you should see your GP.
