3 Natural Remedies You Can Try To Help Improve Your Sleep

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Sometimes it can be a struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Whether you’re stressed about work, finances or your health, it’s easy to fall into a vicious circle of sleep deprivation and its innumerable negative consequences upon every aspect of your life.

Understandably, you may be reluctant to try out sedatives or other types of prescription medication or sleep aids to knock yourself out. There are often numerous unwanted and serious side effects including the risk of addiction and being unable to drive or operate machinery safely.

However, if you are struggling to get enough good quality rest and you don’t want to try out medication, you could go for one of the following three all-natural remedies that could help you to improve your sleep. As they are natural products, you won’t have to worry about what you are actually putting inside your body or be bothered by adverse reactions.

 Here’s what we recommend trying out first.

1.  Valerian Root

If you have difficulty nodding off, then you should definitely give valerian root a try. Popular back in the 1800s when it was often used for its sedative qualities, valerian extract can easily be purchased today as a capsule, in a liquid form or even as a tea.

 Native to the USA and Europe, valerian is a flowering herb with strong-smelling roots. The benefits of its roots have been extensively studied. It contains a variety of different compounds that are useful in promoting sleep and relaxation, such as ‘gamma-aminobutyric acid’.

Low levels of this compound have been linked to stress and poor-quality sleep so by supplementing with valerian root, you stand a much better chance of getting a good nights’ kip.

2. Passionflower

Passionflower has been used for centuries to help relieve anxiety and pain as well as promote restful sleep.

Today, you can purchase it in a capsule form or dried for making tea. Passionflower supplements are readily available both in health shops and online so you shouldn’t have any problem finding it.

That said, when you’re shopping for passionflower supplements or teas to improve your sleep, make sure that you look out for a variety of passionflower known as Passiflora incarnata.

Much like valerian root, this type of passionflower is thought to increase levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid. It is said to counter neurotransmitters responsible for excitement; hence its calming, sleep-promoting effect.

3. Magnolia Bark

Native to China, magnolia trees have been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years.

It features in a wide range of traditional medication for reducing stress, weight loss and as a sleep aid amongst many others. Magnolia bark extract is most commonly available in capsule form.

Magnolia bark contains special compounds that help to relieve anxiety and improve your sleep quality. Two of the compounds, honokiol and magnolol, have been extensively studied and researchers believe that they are responsible for the bark’s calming and sleep-inducing effect.

Therefore, if you have difficulty winding down after a stressful day, taking a magnolia bark supplement could help you to not only nod-off but also enjoy deeper and longer sleep.

Summary

If you have insufficient or poor-quality sleep over a significant length of time, the potential for developing health and psychological problems drastically increases. Not only that, but you’ll also find life much more difficult due to concentration problems and increase your risk of developing depression.

Natural remedies work alongside your body to help relieve sleep problems. So, if you’re desperate for a better night’s sleep without resorting to prescription medication, try out one of our top three natural remedies to finally enjoy a good nights’ rest.