If you are having problems sleeping you may come across suggestions to use natural remedies such as herbs.
Commonly mentioned herbs include chamomile, lavender, valerian, but which herbal remedies may be able to help you sleep and how are they used? Valerian is a herbal plant that grows in Europe and North America.
It has been used for centuries around the world including in ancient Greece, India and in traditional Chinese medicine.
It is the root that contains the beneficial properties for sleep.
The root of the valerian herb is extracted and used to make herbal medicine.
Valerian has a sedative property and is often used to calm the nervous system and so is beneficial for helping those with insomnia.
Valerian is made into tablets or capsules and taken before bedtime.
The Lavender herb is a plant with purple flowers that was originally native to the Mediterranean region, but is now grown across the world from North America to Europe to Australia.
The calming and relaxing effects of the lavender plant can be used in a number of ways.
The flowers from the lavender plant can be used to make a tea that is consumed before bedtime.
A distilled oil can be made from the flowers, leaves and stem of the plant.
Lavender oil can be used as a lotion and applied to the skin to relax the muscles or in aromatherapy.
The oil can also be added to bath water to add a pleasant smell and increase the relaxing effects of a hot bath.
Dried lavender is also packaged with lavender oil and used as an aid for sleeping by putting a sachet under the pillow, to allow the smell to drift and help you get to sleep.
The Chamomile plant has yellow flowers and grows around the world in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia in warm climates.
Chamomile is known to have a calming effect and helpful to relieve stress.
Although chamomile is used to treat a variety of ailments in the form of creams and essential oils, for sleep problems, it is most useful in the form of a tea.
The flowers and leaves are dried and sold in packages and brewed to make a tea.
Chamomile tea can be drunk an hour or so before bedtime.
Some herbs may take some time to begin working, so don't give up if they do not work instantly or in the first few days.
If you try each of the herbal remedies for sleep mentioned, you may find the one that works best for you.
As with taking all medicines or herbs, care should be taken as they may not be suitable for everyone.
It is best to consult your medical practitioner before starting to use herbal medicines.