Nowadays, many people suffer from insomnia. Some people cannot fall asleep due to constant screams and knocks from their neighbors, some are depressed, and some simply cannot understand the reason for the lack of sleep. Today, there are many medications to normalize your healthy and restful sleep. However, most of them have their own contraindications and side effects. But there is a way out - traditional medicine, or rather sleep tea and herbal decoctions. This publication will discuss the benefits of tea and infusions for sleep, and we will also provide recipes for the most popular drinks to strengthen and normalize sleep.
Benefits of herbal medicine for insomnia
The effect of herbal medicine is due to the pharmacological properties of medicinal plants.
For dyssomnia, sleeping pills, sedatives (calming) and antispasmodic herbs are used, which help:
- reduce anxiety, increased excitability of the nervous system;
- get rid of lack of sleep and the subsequent feeling of fatigue and weakness, irritability;
- increase resistance to stress;
- make it easier to fall asleep;
- normalize the alternation of sleep phases;
- get rid of pain and discomfort accompanying somatic diseases (antispasmodic herbs).
The use of herbs is effective for:
- mental trauma;
- psycho-emotional disorders;
- overvoltage;
- mild forms of insomnia.
Actionable examples
Let us use the example of some of the natural medicines to demonstrate their healing effect.
- Chamomile. Apigenin, which is located inside, helps calm the nerves, relaxes, eliminates stress and panic. After a cup of this infusion, headaches go away and insomnia disappears.
- Mint. Relieves tension within the body. The presence of menthol has a beneficial effect on increased excitability. The drug also helps you fall asleep quickly and soundly.
- Hop. An effective sleeping pill. Plant cones in the amount of two teaspoons, pour 200 ml of hot water. Let it brew for 2-3 hours. It is recommended to take the drink before going to bed.
Such drinks are useful not only for adults.
Recipes for healthy drinks for good sleep
The above herbs can be used individually or in combination. So, the most affordable and effective recipes.
Infusion of lemon balm herb with orange
Mix 1 tablespoon of dried lemon balm herb and orange zest (dried or fresh).
Add 1 glass of hot water. Close and leave for 10 minutes. Take in the evening before bed, with honey.
Green tea with mint
Add 1 teaspoon of green tea and chopped peppermint leaves to 1 cup of boiling water. Leave for 15 minutes.
Drink in the evening.
Valerian and hop tea
Add 1 cup of boiling water to a mixture of 1 teaspoon of dried hop cones and valerian rhizomes. Cover with a lid and leave for 15 minutes.
Take in the evening.
Soothing tea
Mix equal parts of motherwort herb, licorice roots, valerian rhizomes, peppermint leaves, and chamomile flowers.
Add 1 glass of boiling water to 1 teaspoon of herbal mixture and leave for 40 minutes.
Take before bed, with honey.
Homemade sleeping pills
Mix equal shares of mint leaves, hop cones, thyme, sweet clover and lemon balm. 1 teaspoon of raw material is poured into 1 glass of boiling water and left to infuse.
Take in the evening.
Ready herbal preparations
Pharmacies offer ready-made sedative preparations that are effective for dyssomnia.
The most popular teas for insomnia are calming teas No. 2 and No. 3 (one of the names is Phytosedan), produced in the form of herbs and filter bags.
Collection No. 2 includes:
- valerian rhizomes;
- hop cones;
- motherwort grass;
- licorice roots;
- mint leaves.
Add 1 cup of boiling water to 2 tablespoons of raw material and heat in a water bath for 15 minutes. Then infuse under normal conditions for 45 minutes. Filter, the remaining raw materials are squeezed out.
Using boiled water, bring the volume of the resulting tea to 200 ml.
Collection No. 3 includes crushed raw materials:
- herbs sweet clover, motherwort, oregano, thyme;
- rhizomes and roots of valerian.
The cooking method is similar.
Another ready-made pharmacy collection “Wonderful Evening” from the “Generosity of Nature” series, containing:
- linden and chamomile flowers;
- valerian rhizomes;
- dill fruits;
- oregano herb.
The pharmaceutical company Evalar offers “Calming Evening Tea” from the Evalar Bio collection series for the treatment of insomnia.
The collection contains medicinal raw materials of chamomile, eschscholzia, oregano, hawthorn, and linden.
To prepare, pour 1 filter bag with a glass of boiling water, cover with a lid and let it brew.
Calming teas for children
You can buy children's teas in pharmacies especially for children:
- chamomile (brands Hipp, Humana or Babushkino Lukoshko);
- evening fairy tale (based on fennel fruits, anise, mint, lavender flowers);
- linden, mint tea in filter bags.
Sleep problems
Tea has a tonic effect, but it is difficult to give it up. It contains caffeine, which dispels sleepiness and gives the body vigor.
But if you already have problems sleeping, then you need to limit the amount of caffeinated drinks for a while or completely abstain from them:
- Black tea. One cup drunk in the evening is enough to activate the entire nervous system. At the same time, the pulse quickens, and the brain gives a command to the body to stay awake. In addition to caffeine, the composition contains tannin and other substances that stimulate the nervous system.
- Green tea. Is it possible to drink green tea before going to bed? The claim that it acts as a sedative is incorrect. Most varieties greatly increase tone. In terms of caffeine content, some varieties are superior to coffee beans. This depends on where and when the tea leaves are collected, their age, drying and enzyme levels.
- It is not advisable for people with sleep disorders to drink coffee, even a few hours before.
Tea lovers are wondering: is it possible to drink tea before bed? Only weakly brewed. The last tea party is 4 hours before.
People with sleep disturbances try to solve the problem with medications. Sleeping pills are often poorly tolerated by the body. Nausea, headaches, constant drowsiness, and irritation occur.
We recommend reading! Click on the link:
List of strong and mild sleeping pills
There is no need to give up tea completely. An alternative is herbal tea. It is sold in filter bags or in loose form for home preparation. Herbal tea not only soothes, but also has a beneficial effect on the body as a whole, and also treats insomnia.
Sleeping pill based on herbal infusion
Modern pharmaceuticals offer ready-made dosage forms containing herbal infusions.
Such release forms are easy to use, because they do not need to be prepared.
Valemidin
Calming tincture based on valerian, hawthorn, motherwort, peppermint. The sedative effect of medicinal plants is enhanced by diphenhydramine.
A powerful sedative for the treatment of neuroses and insomnia. Its effectiveness is confirmed by numerous positive reviews.
The drug cannot be used:
- children and adolescents under 18 years of age;
- pregnant and lactating women;
- with bradycardia and arterial hypotension;
- for serious pathologies of the kidneys, liver, acute heart failure;
- in case of intolerance to the components of the tincture.
Caution is required when treating patients with alcoholism and brain pathologies. For sleep disorders, it is recommended to take 30-40 drops diluted with a small amount of water 30 minutes before bedtime.
Possibility of course use (1-2 weeks) or one-time use. The cost of the tincture is 170 rubles.
Valemidin Plus
A safe form of Valemidin without ethyl alcohol and diphenhydramine.
The xylitol syrup contains motherwort, blue cyanosis, valerian, mint, hawthorn and magnesium.
Effective for dyssomnia. Normalizes blood pressure, eliminates irritability and anxiety. Increases resistance to stress.
Contraindicated in children under 14 years of age, during breastfeeding and pregnancy, with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
Take 4 ml 2 times a day. Therapeutic course - 2 weeks. The price of syrup is 330 rubles.
Edas-306
The homeopathic remedy in syrup form contains tincture of valerian and homeopathic dilutions of passionflower, ambergris grisea, and pulsatilla. The medicine is approved for children from 1 year of age, pregnant and lactating women.
Drink 3 times a day. The dosage regimen depends on the age of the patient. Duration of therapy is 2-4 weeks.
The price of syrup is about 140 rubles.
The drug is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the drug (the syrup contains sugar).
Syrup Novopassit
Sugar syrup based on extracts of hawthorn, hop cones, passionflower, St. John's wort, lemon balm, valerian rhizomes, elderberry flowers. Enhanced with guaifenesin.
In addition to syrup, it is produced in tablets that do not contain sugar or alcohol.
Indicated for the treatment of psycho-emotional disorders accompanied by anxiety, fear, and sleep disorders. An effective remedy for somatic diseases accompanied by insomnia (headaches, pathologies of the digestive system, skin diseases, hormonal disorders - menopause, PMS, etc.). Contraindicated in children under 12 years of age, with muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the drug.
Use 3 times a day (last dose before bedtime).
The price of syrup is 260 rubles. for 100 ml, 340 rub. for 200 ml. Tablets are available in 10, 30 and 60 pcs. packaged. The cost ranges from 190 to 727 rubles.
Doppelhertz Nervotonic
Contains liquid extract of St. John's wort herb in cherry liqueur.
Used for anxiety, restlessness, sleep disorders, and depression. Application is limited:
- for patients with severe depression, because requires the use of more serious drugs;
- for children under 12 years old;
- in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- during pregnancy and lactation;
- with photosensitivity associated with taking St. John's wort (history).
The disadvantage of the drug is incompatibility with some drugs, photosensitizing effect in fair-skinned patients.
Used 3 times a day (one dose the night before bedtime). Single dose for adults - 20 ml. The course of therapy is 6-8 weeks.
The cost of the bottle is 370 rubles.
Phyto Novo-sed
Tincture of echinacea herbs, motherwort, lemon balm, rose hips and hawthorn. Stimulates cerebral circulation. It has a sedative and anti-anxiety effect and normalizes sleep.
The tincture is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, children and adolescents under 18 years of age, as well as:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- progressive systemic diseases (tuberculosis, leukemia, etc.);
- autoimmune disorders;
- AIDS, HIV infections;
- alcoholism;
- severe liver pathologies;
- brain injuries;
- neurological diseases.
The cost of the bottle is 187 rubles.
Taken 3 times a day. The duration of treatment is 2 weeks.
Children's syrups are produced especially for children.
Phyto Calm Mishutka
Allowed from the age of three. Sugar syrup with infusions of mint leaves, chamomile and linden flowers, lingonberries.
The advantages of the drug are the absence of preservatives, dyes and other chemical additives.
Cost - 140 rubles.
Herbal cocktails
Herbs can be mixed to create a more varied effect of the tea.
- If you mix 1 tbsp. l. young nettle leaves, raspberries and rose hips, pour 1 tbsp. boiling water, leave for 20-30 minutes, you will get a wonderful vitamin tea. It is worth drinking in the morning, it invigorates and tones.
- Tea with spices will warm your body and soul on a winter day. To prepare it, you need to brew 2 tsp in boiling water. mint, add a little cardamom and 1 clove flower. Leave for 15 minutes, strain and drink.
- You can get a tonic tea by mixing 1 tbsp. l. sea buckthorn berries, 4 tbsp. l. rose hips, 2 tbsp. l. lemon balm, 3 tbsp. l. viburnum berries 1 tbsp. l. dried apples, pour 2 liters of boiling water and leave in a thermos. Before drinking, the tea must be strained.
- Tea according to the recipe will help you lose weight: 3 tbsp. l. buckthorn root, 1 tbsp. l. dandelion leaves, 1 tbsp. l. parsley leaves, 1 tbsp. l. peppermint, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave, strain. Drink instead of tea.
Decaffeinated green tea
This drink is prepared from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Caffeine is removed from the leaves using a chemical method or carbon dioxide, which draws the caffeine molecules out of the leaves. It's important to note that all decaffeinated teas still contain small amounts of this energizing substance. But unless you have a severe sensitivity to caffeine, this drink won't have an aggressive energizing effect on you.
The flavor of green tea can range from herbal and vegetal to buttery, floral, or fruity. Decaffeinated green tea tends to have a stronger, more astringent flavor. The longer it brews and the more leaves used, the more pronounced the flavor will be. Drinking caffeine-free tea will help you fall asleep faster and sleep better.
Green tea is full of antioxidants and is known for its health benefits, ranging from increased energy to reduced risk of serious diseases such as cancer. If you don't like the floral or spicy flavors of herbal teas, caffeine-free green tea is a great alternative when it's time to get ready for bed. Green tea contains theanine, an amino acid that helps reduce stress and anxiety.
A study conducted by the National Center for Neuroscience and Psychiatry in Japan examined the effects of theanine supplementation on sleep quality. 22 men took part, with an average age of 27 years. Twelve participants worked during the day, and 10 were students at a local university. The men were given theanine for 6 consecutive days. All participants experienced decreased levels of fatigue, while 7 out of 10 students reported increased quality and depth of sleep.
You can drink pure green tea without caffeine, or use it as a supplement to a calming herbal tea. Green tea contains enough theanine to be mildly sedative for most people.
Lavender tea
Lavender tea is made from the flower petals and buds of the Lavandula angustifolia plant. It has a striking purple-pink color and minty aroma and has a sweet, mild and delicate taste. Lavender is another popular scent used to calm the emotions.
You can buy bath salts and aromatic oils with extract of this plant. And consuming lavender infusion is a great way to calm down after a busy day and prepare for bed.
A study published in Chronobiology International found that lavender aromatherapy improves deep sleep and increases energy levels upon awakening. 30 people took part in the experiment. The subjects spent three nights in a sleep laboratory, alternately inhaling lavender oil and distilled water. Substances were alternated to establish control periods.
As a result, scientists discovered that the plant enhances both deep and REM sleep, and also came to the conclusion that it has a stronger effect on women than on men. To benefit from a natural and safe sedative, simply drink a cup of Lavender Tisane before bed, inhaling the stunning aroma with every sip.
