Herbs for Insomnia | Discover the most suitable to solve your case

One of the main villains of the contemporary world, stress, is also responsible for causing disorders such as insomnia. However, this sleep disorder, which currently affects about 10% of the world’s population, can be controlled with the adoption of a simple habit: the daily consumption of herbs for insomnia.

Insomnia is a condition defined as difficulty sleeping or staying asleep at least three nights a week. It is usually accompanied by problems such as tiredness, irritation, decreased ability to concentrate and headache.

On the other hand, when the difficulty in sleeping exceeds a period of one month, the regions of the right hemisphere linked to memory, learning, smell and emotion are also affected, interfering even more with quality of life.

Herbs for insomnia can be incorporated into the diet, such as mint and mint, but are mainly consumed from the preparation of infusions. Some flowers and roots also go a long way to combating lack of sleep.

However, it is important to pay attention to the preparation of infusions. It is normal for most people to confuse tea with infusions, but there is a fundamental difference that can directly interfere with the properties of these herbs for insomnia.

Below, we highlight the differences and preparation suggestions and, soon after, we indicate several herbs for insomnia, in addition to some flowers and roots, also showing, at the same time, the action they provide. Check out!

How to prepare herbs for insomnia

Almost everyone is in the habit of calling hot herbal drinks tea. However, tea is a type of infusion prepared with the Camellia Sinnesis plant. Different types of tea are made from it, such as black, green and white, for example. To prepare it, the leaves are added to a cup of boiling water and they must rest for about 10 minutes.

The infusion differs from the tea exactly in this point. Herbs for insomnia and flowers, for example, must be placed in the bottom of the cup beforehand, so that they receive the water, which must not reach the boiling point. Although this detail seems insignificant, it is essential not to alter the medicinal properties of herbs for insomnia.

In addition, the infusion rest time should be even longer, about 15 minutes. Ideally, it should be prepared in a container that can be covered, which helps a lot to concentrate the properties of herbs for insomnia. In both cases, after preparation, just strain and consume.

Another way of extracting the active principles of plants from the preparation of hot drinks is called decoction, and is widely used when the ingredients are stems, roots or bark. In this process, the ingredients are boiled together with the water for about 15 minutes and can be consumed immediately afterwards.

Even though hot drinks are naturally relaxing, one of the components of Camellia Sinnesis found in teas prepared with plants is caffeine, known for its stimulating property.

Its consumption should be avoided by those who suffer from insomnia. In this case, to normalize sleep, only drinks prepared with the infusion of herbs for insomnia, or with roots and bark by the decoction process should be consumed.

Now that you know how to prepare herbs for insomnia, see which ones are the most suitable for normalizing your sleep:

Chamomile: Chamomile is among the most popular herbs for insomnia, precisely because of its relaxing effect. To prepare it, make an infusion with 5g of the herb and drink it half an hour before bed. The infusion can also be made with chamomile flowers. In addition to this relaxing effect, it also helps with digestive function.

linden: Linden, like chamomile, has a relaxing effect. In addition, its sedative action also helps to control states such as anxiety, also caused by stress. It is also important for cardiovascular health. To make the infusion, use a tablespoon as a measure. Take it a few minutes before bed. If your difficulty sleeping is more serious, the indication is to consume four cups daily.

Saint John’s herb: Popularly known for its effects for the treatment of emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety, this herb is a powerful sedative that consequently helps to regulate sleep. To make the infusion use 5g of the herb. The ideal is to repeat the procedure three times a day, the last one, about half an hour before bed.

Passionflower: Derived from a type of passion fruit native to Mexico, as well as the fruit, passionflower has antidepressant and relaxing properties. To consume it, make an infusion with an amount equivalent to a tablespoon and take it half an hour before bed. It can be used in prolonged treatments.

Lemongrass: One of the best known herbs for insomnia, lemon balm is also easy to find, it can still be planted in pots or gardens, prepared with green or dried leaves. Calculate an amount equivalent to 5g when making the infusion. However, if you want to boost its properties even further, double or triple the amount and get ready for a night of uninterrupted sleep.

Tarragon: The sedative properties of tarragon also contribute to insomnia. The ideal is to consume two cups daily with the infusion. For each of them use the equivalent of 5g.

Melissa: Melissa is one of the most potent herbs for insomnia, plus it’s a great tranquilizer. Make one with a tablespoon of melissa, let it rest for fifteen minutes and drink it before bed.

Mint and Mint: From the same family, these two herbs for insomnia, in addition to helping you sleep better, are also important in the treatment of depression, to decrease palpitations or tachycardia and for digestive problems. Make an infusion with 5g of each or with a mixture of the two and drink just before going to bed.

Boldo: Boldo is one of the herbs for insomnia that has calming and sedative properties, however, the infusion should be prepared with only 2.5g in 100 ml of hot water. Strain and drink before bed. The procedure should not be repeated more than three times a week.

Roots like turmeric, or plants like valerian and ginseng, can also help a lot in fighting insomnia. Although the recommended amount for consumption is the same as for herbs for insomnia – about 5g –, the way of preparation is different.

They must be prepared by the decoction process, in which the ingredients are boiled with water. It can also be adopted for infusions with fruit peels, such as orange, known for its calming properties.

In addition to the roots and bark, some flowers contribute to the treatment of insomnia, including poppy and orange flowers. In this case, they must be prepared by infusion.

To ensure the effectiveness of herbal treatment for insomnia, it is important, at the same time, to pay attention to some habits. The consumption of alcohol, drugs, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle are among the factors that can cause this condition.

If after treatment with herbs for insomnia and changing habits, lack of sleep still persists, it is important to consult a specialist. Difficulty sleeping can also be caused by hormonal or neurological problems, which, in this case, require clinically guided treatment, based on pharmacological drugs.

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