Unfortunately, about 30% of people suffer from insomnia, or the chronic inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or achieve restorative, high-quality sleep Herbal teas are popular beverage choices when it comes time to relax and unwind. This blend contains all of the most popular herbs that provide a restful night sleep.
- 5 parts Chamomile
- 3 parts Valerian Root
- 3 parts Passion flower
- 2 parts Lemon Balm
- 2 parts Lavender
- 1 part Tilia* Flowers / Leaves
- 1 part Milky Oats
- 1 part Hops
- 1 part Mugwort (optional)
All measurements are done by weight
* Tilia is a genus of about 30 species of trees or bushes, native throughout most of the Northern Hemisphere. The tree is known as linden for the European species, and basswood for North American species. In Britain and Ireland they are commonly called lime trees
Characteristics of each Herb
Chamomile has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for easing stress and insomnia
Valerian root tea is effective as a sleep aid due to the two naturally occurring sedatives within it called valepotriates and sesquiterpenes. In one study, nearly 90% of people reported improvements in sleep after drinking valerian tea
Passion flower traditionally has been used to alleviate anxiety and improve sleep. More recently, studies have examined the ability of passionflower tea to improve insomnia and sleep quality.
For example, one study in 40 healthy adults found that those who drank passionflower tea daily for 1 week reported significantly better sleep quality, compared to participants who did not drink the tea . Another study compared a combination of passionflower and valerian root and hops with Ambien, a medication commonly prescribed to treat insomnia. Results showed that the passionflower combination was as effective as Ambien at improving sleep quality
Lemon Balm is a citrus-scented, aromatic herb and has been used for reducing stress and improving sleep since the Middle Ages. Evidence shows that lemon balm increases GABA indicating that lemon balm may act as a sedative Note: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a chemical that is made in the brain and also found in some foods and herbs. In the brain, GABA has anti-anxiety effects.
Lavender is known worldwide as an herbal “rescue-remedy” for reducing stress, anxiety and tension. Its strong, relaxation-inducing scent is used in massage therapy lotions, candles, bath salts, tinctures and essential oils. Lavender is often paired with Chamomile to enhance the effects of both.
Tila tea is readily used in folk medicine to promote sleep. Its plant compounds have strong sedative properties, which may encourage relaxation that leads to sleep
Milky Oats can ease the effects of stress, anxiety or exhaustion and resolve sleeplessness. Oats contain the amino acid tryptophan whish are a natural body relaxant
Hops are known as a sedative plant. The main mechanism of action of hops is to increase the activity of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) through modulation of brain GABA(A) receptors
Mugwort has a reputation to enhance dreams giving them a more vivid, colorful and realist experience.