{"id":325,"date":"2017-06-30T08:53:37","date_gmt":"2017-06-30T08:53:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodnights.rest\/?page_id=325"},"modified":"2018-08-15T04:25:49","modified_gmt":"2018-08-15T04:25:49","slug":"5-single-plant-sleep-remedies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/goodnights.rest\/bed-botany-and-beyond\/5-single-plant-sleep-remedies\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Single-Plant Sleep Remedies"},"content":{"rendered":"
While it can be tempting to start a medical botany journey with multiple-ingredient blends of dietary supplements and teas, there are advantages to starting slow. For one, it\u2019s easier to pinpoint specific positive effects of specific herbs ingested. It\u2019s also safer, as there\u2019s no danger of negative interactions between different elements of the remedy.<\/p>\n
Below is a short list of plants commonly used to soothe, relax and induce sleep; alone and in blends. Taken alone, the suggestions below often carry their own in terms of aroma and flavor; those that don\u2019t may have other particularities—such as potency or even traditional use—that justify its standalone use, though they may benefit greatly from a dash of honey or stevia. Of course, almost all of the plants enumerated below do otherwise work well with other plants. It\u2019s all a matter of preference.<\/p>\n
And it bears repeating: Always consult your doctor before trying these remedies—particularly if they are to be administered to children, women who are pregnant or nursing, or those prone to liver problems. Just because something is natural doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s automatically good for you.<\/p>\n
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Lavender rose to prominence during the Victorian era; it was known as a favorite of the Queen, who encouraged its use. A permanent fixture of both aromatherapy and herbal medicine, a long record<\/a> of human experiences and investigations support the general belief that Lavender has analgesic, sedative and other curative properties. Many studies focus on the aromatic side of lavender usage—and indeed, it\u2019s more well-known for its scent than for its range of medicinal uses—but there<\/a> are<\/a> studies<\/a> to support relaxation and anti-anxiety benefits of ingestion, as well.<\/p>\n On its own, the best way to consume Lavender is by drinking a cup or tea or dosing with a few drops of tincture<\/b>; although the most common way to use it is still very dependent on the sense of smell. The taste is very much like the armona—slightly minty, mild, light and sweet. Although Lavender does not grow abundantly in North America, its use is so widespread that you can easily find many forms of it online or at a neighborhood supermarket.<\/p>\n Popular pairings with Lavender<\/b> include Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Linden, Valerian Root<\/a>, and various Earl Grey and Rose blends. Because the Lavender is in the mint family, it also goes well with Peppermint. Occasionally multiple-ingredient teas including Lavender add in other soothing plants that are not commonly paired with it, like Passionflower<\/a>. Lavender is also an ingredient in some formulated dietary supplements, like ORB Sleep Complex<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n First of all, it\u2019s important to note that Lemon Balm is different from likewise edible, fragrant and medicinal Lemongrass (Cymbopogon); the names can be confusing, though the plants don\u2019t look alike and originate from different parts of the globe. Lemon Balm—like Hawthorn, Motherwort, Passionflower, St. John\u2019s Wort and more—has been a fixture in medical botany for centuries, and is a common folk remedy for a long list of ailments. Like lavender, it\u2019s widely used in aromatherapy and as an edible ingredient. However, it\u2019s best known as a stress and anxiety reducer, sleep aid, and digestive; as these<\/a> studies<\/a> show<\/a>. Traditionally, it\u2019s also been used as a tonic, antispasmodic, and even a topical antibacterial agent and insect repellant. It\u2019s also been studied<\/a> as a remedy for menstrual ailments.<\/p>\n On its own, the best way to consume Lemon Balm is to make yourself a cup of tea.<\/b> The clean, cozy citrus scent of this aromatic tea is buoyed by the delicate hint of minty freshness; unlike many other medicinal herbs, the taste is pleasant. It\u2019s also easy to find Lemon Balm capsules, tinctures and salves—online and locally, as it grows in North America.<\/p>\n Pairings with Lemon Balm<\/b> are not as popular as taking it by itself; if Lemon Balm is to be the main ingredient, that is. Typically it is added to multiple-ingredient sleep-inducing blends—containing combinations of some of these: Chamomile, Hawthorn, Motherwort, Passionflower, Valerian and more—to not only support the medicinal effect but also add a nice flavor and aroma that other plants don\u2019t naturally have. Lemon Balm is also an ingredient in some formulated dietary supplements; like Jarrow Formulas Sleep Optimizer<\/a>, Nested Naturals LUNA<\/a>, Source Naturals NightRest<\/a>, and Vitafusion Melatonin<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Along with this specific species, another one—Largeleaf Linden (Tilia platyphyllos)—can be used medicinally, though it\u2019s less preferred. Though its rich history as part of traditional and self-administered folk medicine in many regions has been the focus<\/a> of several<\/a> studies<\/a>—in part due to concerns of cardiotoxicity linked to long term and frequent ingestion—Linden\u2019s efficacy as a sleep aid has not. However, this ornamental tree\u2019s flowers and leaves remain a popular and calming domestic cure for cold, cough, fever and flu; as it is known as an antioxidant, antispasmodic, expectorant and sedative that also encourages perspiration. Not as popular as most soothing herbs, Linden is nevertheless a common ingredient in dietary supplements and as a standalone tea. Though not native to North America, it is known to grow in northeastern parts of the US and Canada.<\/p>\n On its own, the best way to consume Linden is to make yourself a cup of tea.<\/b> Both Linden leaves and flowers can be dried for this purpose, and the result is delicately sweet and aromatic tea. Because it is so popular as a tea, it is less commonly found in extract form—liquid or dry.<\/p>\n Popular pairings with Linden <\/b>include Chamomile, Lemon Balm, and Peppermint. Similar to Lemon Balm, it is often added to multiple-ingredient blends; but very popular as a single herb tea due to its pleasant flavor and aroma.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n#2 Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)<\/h2>\n
Also known as: Balm Mint, Bee Balm, Common Balm, Sweet \u00a0Balm
\nNative to: Central, Southern and Mediterranean Europe; Central Asia, Iran<\/h3>\n#3 Linden (Tilia cordata)<\/h2>\n
Also known as: Littleleaf Linden, Small-Leaved Lime, Small-Leaved Linden
\nNative to: Europe, Western Asia<\/h3>\n#4 Vervain (Verbena officinalis)<\/h2>\n
Also known as: Common Verbena, Herb of the Cross, Holy Herb, Simpler\u2019s Joy
\nNative to: Europe, Western Asia<\/h3>\n