Sound sleeping is vital to all of us; it is important for normal functioning of our mind and body. In reality, many of us suffer from difficulty sleeping, some even try to get by with as little sleep as possible. Chronic inadequate sleep can lead to sleepiness – feeling sleepy when we need to be alert and awake. This can have negative effect on our day time performance, mood, thinking etc. There are some herbal sleep aids that can help in inducing normal sleep.

Herbal Sleep Aids

Listed below are some effective natural sleep aids:

• Chamomile as a Sleep Aid: Chamomile is known as an age-old herbal sleep aid. As a gentle relaxant, it can soothe our nervous system and reduce its excitability. This property can alleviate tension and stress and assist deep sleep.
• Passion Flower as a Sleep Aid: Experts believe that passion flower can promote release of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and reduce nervous cells activity in the brain. This can relax the brain and induce good sleep.
• Hops Herb as a Sleep Aid: It is suggested that nutrient-rich hops herb can nourish our nervous system. This can assist in calming and relaxing our nerves and treat sleep disorders.
• Valerian as a Sleep Aid: Experts suggest that the presence of isovaleric acid in valerian can have sedative effects on the nerves. This can help in reducing nervous excitability or tension and help in falling asleep.
• Kava Kava as a Sleep Aid:It is believed that kava kava can help in relaxation of nerves and in reduction of stress and anxiety. This can help in inducing sleep. There are some side effects associated with this herb. Some such side effects are hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, etc.