4 Herbs To Help You (and your little ones) Sleep Better

Like diet, sleep is a fundamental and vital aspect of our health and well-being. When we lack sleep, we can quickly become irritable, in a bad mood, and even suffer from headaches or migraines. A poor quality of sleep can also have a negative impact on our immune system, which is weakened because of fatigue.

As a result, we are more exposed to infections, viruses, and diseases. Several factors can cause sleep disorders in children and adults including: insomnia, anxiety, stress, diet and lifestyle, digestion issues, overexposure to screens, depression etc...

Fortunately, there are medicinal herbs that can be used to reverse minor sleep disorders in children and adults without the harmful side effects of sleeping pills.

VERBENA (VERBENA OFFICINALIS)

Verbena, also called officinal verbena, is a relaxing herb for the nervous system. It has sedative and soothing properties and can be used in cases of anxiety, stress, mild insomnia and sleep disorders. It gently helps improve the quality and duration of sleep. Verbena also has great benefits for digestion: it soothes stomach and intestinal pain. It is particularly indicated to reduce the harmful effects of stress and nervousness on the quality of sleep. Verbena can be consumed as a herbal tea. It has a delicious and refreshing taste. To make your herbal tea, infuse one tablespoon of dried verbena leaves into a cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Strain and drink warm. To give verbena herbal tea to a baby or infant, you may dilute it with more water and put it in a bottle.

CHAMOMILE (CHAMOMILLA RECUTICA)

Chamomile is a well-known natural anti-insomnia remedy. It helps promote sleep in adults and children, relieve nervous agitation and reduce minor insomnia thanks to apigenin, one of the active substances it contains. Chamomile also has antispasmodic properties and is beneficial to soothe digestive disorders such as bloating, gas, cramps, colic, which can contribute to improve sleep in children and babies. You can have chamomile herbal tea after a meal by infusing 1 tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers in a cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. For an infant or baby, use 1 teaspoon of dried chamolile flowers for 1 cup of water, and give him/her just a few spoons. Please note there are two types of Chamomile: German chamomile (Chamomilla recutica) and Roman Chamomile (Chamomilla nobile). They almost have the same effects, however German Chamomile is more powerful and is safe for pregnant women. Make sure to always check the botanical names of medicinal herbs before purchasing them.

ORANGE BLOSSOM (CITRUS ORANTIUM)

Orange blossom, also called Neroli, is excellent in the natural treatment of insomnia and anxiety attacks thanks to its relaxing, soothing, sedative and anti-depressive properties. It can be used in children and babies in cases of restlessness, anxiety attack, severe soreness or sleep disturbance following a trip. Its hypnotic and anxiolytic properties make it the perfect herb to use to soothe anxiety and nerve attacks. It is particularly indicated in hyperactive and agitated children. Orange blossom can be consumed as herbal tea or hydrosol. In cases of sleep disorders, I find the herbal tea to be much more effective. To make a herbal tea: Infuse a tablespoon of dried orange blossom into a cup of water (250ml) for 10 minutes. Hydrosol: Mix a teaspoon of orange blossom hydrosol in a glass of water. For babies, divide the amount by two.

LEMON BALM (MELISSA OFFICINALIS)

Lemon Balm has a pleasant and slightly minty taste that children particularly love. It helps relieve nervous disorders: anxiety, stress, anxiety, nervous breakdown... It has a soothing effect on the nervous system and helps relieve insomnia. It relaxes the whole body and promotes well-being. Like the herbs mentioned above, lemon balm has an antispasmodic effect and relieves stomach and digestive issues. Isn’t it often said that belly is the second brain? It’s not surprising that the digestive and nervous system are connected and that these herbs have positive effects on both. Lemon balm also has positive effects on the emotional and psychic state thanks to terpenic aldehydes, the active ingredients it is made of. For the treatment of sleep disorders, lemon balm can be taken in several forms: herbal tea, tincture or liquid extract. Lemon balm is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.