Natural Hypnotics – Herbal Preparations to Help Sleep
ByBecause concern with poor sleep is a common human problem – it now affects at least one-quarter of the world’s population – many naturally occurring substances have been tested to see if they improve the quality of sleep. Often, a particular culture will, through a process of trial and error over centuries, identify a local plant as being useful for sleep, then pass on the knowledge by word of mouth. The important thing here is that there is no scientific study involved -just a simple trial-and-error process over many years. Since herbs fall outside the realm of scientific inquiry, they are not classified as drugs and thus are not subject to licensing and regulation.
Valerian
The dried root and rootstock of this garden heliotrope (Valeriana officinalis), a common garden plant with pink, red or purple flowers, is well known to be a sedative and hypnotic. Those who have used it report that it improved sleep and, importantly, showed very few side effects. It is extremely popular in Europe, where it is often used for the insomnia that so frequently accompanies old age.
Camomile
Tea made from the dried foliage and flowerheads of the plant genus chamomilla is a popular nighttime drink and indeed has been shown to have a mild sedative effect in most people. The daisy-like flowerheads give the tea its characteristic, pleasant taste, and the leaves have some mild anti-inflammatory effects. The plant is easy to grow, and is a hardy perennial.
Though its effect on sleep is fairly mild, this herb appears to have no significant side effects.
Lemon Balm
Another commonly used herbal treatment for insomnia is a tea made from the leaves of the lemon balm plant {Melissa officinalis). The plant itself is a hardy perennial, a member of the mint family, and has a similar scent. It’s also been called the ‘honey plant’, and has been used as a general sedative and mild pain reliever. It can be dried and used as a tea, or the leaves may be used fresh in salads or soups. It has the reputation of being particularly helpful for insomnia in children; in the nurseries of Spain, agitated children are sometimes fed a tea made from lemon balm.
Verbena
Verbena, which is also called ‘vervain’ or ‘lemon verbena’, is a showy plant with large purple or red flowers, and with a stronger flavour than lemon balm, but it is reputed to have a similar sedative effect.
Other Herbs Reputed to Help Sleep
Other herbs that may be used to help sleep include fennel, passion flower, rosemary, skullcap, hops, pennyroyal and marjoram. Ground anise and honey in warm milk is a very popular nighttime drink in Germany; the Hopi Indians of the southwestern United States use sand verbena.
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