Difficulty in sleeping is a common occurrence for many people.   Sleep deprivation has negative effects on your health, especially your physical and mental abilities.  A person may feel tired, impatient, have mood swings and have poor decision-making skills.

Natural Sleep Aids 

There are lots of factors that may interfere with a good night’s sleep- be it stress, fatigue, family problems, noise, discomfort, or even illness.  If you cannot control the factors that hinder your much-needed sleep, you can try different sleep aids that encourage better sleep. 

• Chamomile is a gentle herb commonly used for the treatment of insomnia as it promotes relaxation and sleep. It is also found to lessen symptoms of depression. The herb has been found by FDA to be safe and has no known side effects. 

• Valerian root- Some studies have suggested the root of valerian may help people improve the quality of sleep and treat insomnia. Due to its possible interaction with some medication, consultation with a physician is a must before use. 

• Ashwagandha –Studies suggest that the leaf of this herb helps you fall asleep faster and it contains triethylene glycol (TEG) which positively affects Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep. 

• Passionflower produces chemicals that create a calming effect, alleviate sleep disorders and reduce anxiety levels that bring about feelings of relaxation and sleepiness.

• Melatonin- Melatonin is a hormone made in the pineal gland in the brain. Supplemental melatonin is helpful for you to fall asleep faster, boost the quality of your sleep and spend more time sleeping each cycle. It has been studied as a treatment for circadian rhythm disorders and also found to help decrease sleep disturbances caused by jet lag.