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Herbs and Supplements For Better Sleep

Natural solutions for sleep. If you have trouble sleeping and you feel like you've tried everything, these herbs will help.
Jun 20, 2017 | Joy McCarthy

Just like my morning routine is sacred to me, so is my sleep routine. I'm very familiar with the effects of sleep deprivation from having a baby. Fortunately, we are several months past the phase of sleep training (knock on wood!!) but I've definitely got some natural solutions up my sleeve when needed. Every once in a while I don't have a great sleep but I can usually figure out what the trigger was. 

I make sleep a priority because it is one of the greatest contributing factors to our overall well-being.

If you've gone through my 10 Natural Solutions for Better Sleep and you're still finding you're not sleeping well, then the information in this post should help. 

Let's start with one of my favourite foods, turmeric!

Have you tried my Iced Turmeric Ginger Latte or Super Easy Turmeric Ginger Tea yet? If you have then you already know how delicious turmeric is, but also the number of health benefits that come along with it! Most people know turmeric for its anti-inflammatory benefits, its ability to lower blood sugar levels, stimulate phase 2 liver detox pathwaysand even treat various depressive disorders.

But did you know that consuming turmeric daily can also support a restful sleep?

A study performed on sleep-deprived mice actually showed that curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) prevented the mice from experiencing symptoms of sleep deprivation. Researchers found that treatment with curcumin for five days significantly prevented impairment in locomotor activity, anxiety-like effects and oxidative damage.

Turmeric has also been recognized for its digestive relief effects, especially when combined with ginger. I'm sure you're probably wondering what digestion and sleep have to do together? As long as your brain detects that there's food in the stomach, melatonin production (which helps us sleep) will be delayed. But by having a natural aid like turmeric, it can help promote digestion so we aren't going to bed with a belly full of food. This is also why I recommend for people to fast for 12 hours overnight (i.e. 8pm-8am) to give your digestive system a break and to ensure we are setting our bodies up to produce the most melatonin as possible.

If you're one to suffer from joint pain that keeps you up at night, you'll want to consider getting turmeric into your diet on a daily basis as well to reap its anti-inflammatory benefits. Painsomia is a real problem that many people suffer from. Pain + insomnia = painsomnia. 

The following herbs are wonderful sleep aids on their own, but herbs are more powerful together.

Valerian

If you're one to struggle to fall asleep at night because you're monkey brain is on full force, this ones for you! Valerian root is most widely known as a natural sleep aid and has been shown to calm anxiety. It can actually reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and improve the quality of your sleep – win/win! This might sound rather similar to how sleeping pills work but this is far from it. I actually advise against sleeping pills due to all of the negative side effects including: constipation, dizziness, headaches, feeling of impairment the next day, drowsiness and overall weakness. 

Valerian supports a restful sleep naturally by increasing your brain's GABA level which can encourage a sedative effect in larger quantities. It's sleep-promoting and insomnia-relieving properties are said to perform on a similar level as melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone in our body that dictates our circadian rhythm (i.e. when we fall asleep and when we wake up). Although it's said not to take them together as it can result in too strong of a sedative effect. Valerian on its own or accompanied by other calming herbs is helpful to instill gentle relaxation encourage the natural sleep process to take over.

Skullcap

You may not be too familiar with this super healing and sleep-supportive herb that was previously referred to as "Mad Dog", "Helmet Flower" and "Quaker Bonnet", but skullcap comes with an array of health benefits. It reduces inflammation, encourages menstruation and has been shown to treat conditions including epilepsy, hysteria, anxiet, and insomnia. 

Skullcap's role in supporting sleep comes from its healing property of being a nerve tonic. Nerve tonics work by calming the nervous system which is where your spinal cord receives information from the skin, joints and muscles of your body. From my experience working with clients 1:1, one of the biggest reasons why people struggled to fall asleep and remain in a deep sleep was due to stress, anxietyor the not-so-lovely "monkey brain!" To support someone in this state, I would typically recommend an herb like skullcap to provide relief from stress, anxiety and that restless mind that always seems to strike right when we're trying to fall asleep!

Lemon Balm

This calming herb which is a member of the mint family has been used as far back as the Middle Ages to provide relief from both stress and anxiety and when these are kept in check, you will sleep better. When combined with other calming herbs such as valerian, hops and chamomile, it has been shown to instill a restful calming sleep. It has also been shown to be beneficial for providing relief for headaches, cramps and toothaches – all of which have more than likely be culprits for a lack of sleep in your life at one point or another. 

Going through menopause? Lemon balm is also about to become your best friend! In this study, 100 women aged 50-60 years who complained of sleep disorders were randomly given a combination of valerian and lemon balm. The results showed a significant difference with a reduced level of sleep disorders amongst the experimental group when compared to the placebo group.

Try winding down with a calming cuppa TLC tea that contains lemon balm, chamomile, passionflower, and lavender to help you drift off to dreamland!

Hello Joyous TLC Tea for Sleep

76 Comments
Chantal   •   June 20, 2017

I need this so much in my life! I just moved and have started commuting an hour and a half each way to get to work. I've been so drained and zombie like. I can't wait to sleep well! I'm in my 20's but I always feel like going to sleep at like 5pm from being so tired.

Reply
Rachel Molenda   •   June 21, 2017

Carolyn   •   June 21, 2017

This is so helpful! I've been taking natural calm (I saw It in one of your videos). It works amazing! I feel like I'm being drugged.... is it habit forming? Don't think I can live without it!!!!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Stewart   •   June 21, 2017

Thanks for the info Joy!! Seemingly gone are my days of a full restful sleep! I've made my bedroom as "Spa-like" as possible from new mattress, new calming paint colours, new bedding, new pillows etc. Also, no electronics, TV, etc. I go to bed and fall asleep fast but then I wake hours later and toss from then onward until I finally give up and get up to start my day around 5:30. I'm hopeful that some of your strategies may help me out. Have a great day!!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Kerry   •   June 21, 2017

I love your warm turmeric ginger tea. I need to try the cold version this summer. Do you also take the supplement or is that overkill of turmeric?

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Dora   •   June 21, 2017

Thanks Joy for the tips! You're completely right about keeping a regular sleep schedule, it works for me. And the turmeric has been a life-changer. I usually add some fresh turmeric to my daily smoothies. I'd really love to try the Turmeric Force Nighttime!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

ELizabeth   •   June 21, 2017

I have been wanting to try the New Chapters Tumeric force in particular. I try to make sure I am not on the computer etc after 9:00 p.m.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Sarah   •   June 21, 2017

I hadn't thought about the connection between turmeric and sleep. Thanks for the info, Joy :)

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Brianne   •   June 21, 2017

Thanks for these tips, Joy! I really struggle to have a good night's sleep, so I will try some of these things.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Lana   •   June 21, 2017

Thank You!!! I bought a Bella Beat Leaf and if it is only semi accurate OMG my sleep is soooo off. Crawl into bed after a warm bath at 9 and my leaf says I didn't fall asleep til 12:15 Ahhhhh! No wonder ever dang hormone that the Adrenals have anything to do with is messed up! Time to order up some Tumeric ... in the mean time its Golden Milk at 8

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Kate   •   June 21, 2017

This is the answer to all my problems! :) Thank you!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Stephanie   •   June 21, 2017

I live with a lot of night owls and rarely sleep through the night. Would something like this help me to be less of a light sleeper?

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Kristi   •   June 21, 2017

I love to use lemon balm tea before I sleep, I even started growing it this year. I also like to take melatonin and magnesium glycinate before bed, and wear an eye mask. All seem to help me.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

sara   •   June 21, 2017

Is turmeric OK to have cold? Recently heard that unless it's heated, it can cause stomach aches. I (regrettably) stopped putting it in my cold smoothies.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Jody   •   June 21, 2017

I drink chamomile tea!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Tabitha   •   June 22, 2017

I have an awesome tea with lemon balm and valerian root in it and I definitely sleep better when I drink it! I'm excited to try adding more turmeric into my diet too. Thanks for this article, Joy!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Beachgal   •   June 22, 2017

Thanks, as always so informative.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Deborah   •   June 22, 2017

Love to workout daily, but sometimes, joint pain makes it a tough experience. 'Monkey brain' LOL. Happens especially when I have to be up early for work or travel. Would love to try a natural sleep aid that wouldn't leaving me dragging through the next day.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Tracy   •   June 22, 2017

I like to take a detox bath before bed.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Nathanael   •   June 22, 2017

I take Melatonin before bed and do breathing. These are great tips above that will help even further. Thanks!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Danielle   •   June 22, 2017

I take the New Chapter's Turmeric force and love it!! Would love to try more of their products. I love my sleep time :)

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Leanne   •   June 22, 2017

Hi I have been slowly weaning off 25mg of Trazadone, taking a quarter of one the last few nights. I am not sleeping well at all, I have tried melatonin, didn't help me, as well as natural calm which gave me the runs....I would love to try what you are suggesting. thanks for the article.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 22, 2017

Ron   •   June 23, 2017

I like to take a magnesium supplement to help me relax before bed and sleep more soundly.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 26, 2017

Scopa   •   June 25, 2017

My sleep/bedtime routine is terrible 😕. I know it's time to do something to change it so I appreciate the info Joy. Looking forward to some sleep-filled night's (hopefully) in the near future 😪

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 26, 2017

Saskia   •   June 26, 2017

Camomile tea before bed always helps me too! Maybe next time I'll try your turmeric ginger tea recipe!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 27, 2017

Annie Collin   •   June 26, 2017

Wow thank you for the opportunity. Very interesting blog post. I am very interested in the turmeric nighttime product 😊

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 27, 2017

carla   •   June 26, 2017

usually by drinking tea and putting on magnesium cream.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 27, 2017

Maria   •   June 26, 2017

I need all of these. Thank you for helping out with these suggestions.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 27, 2017

Tara L.   •   June 26, 2017

I desperately need help with sleep. I already had trouble sleeping but now am getting hot flashes which are also keeping me up. Recently got a new natural supplement that includes turmeric. Have you heard anything about weighted blankets for sleep? A friend shared several articles with me.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 27, 2017

Safia   •   June 27, 2017

peppermint tea

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 27, 2017

stephanie   •   June 27, 2017

good read, thank you again =)

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 27, 2017

Amanda   •   June 27, 2017

I also make a turmeric tea as part of my evening wind-down routine! Just the smell instantly relaxes me.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 27, 2017

Roza   •   June 27, 2017

Thank you for another great article! I have the toughest time having a peaceful sleep. Although I wouldn't call it insomnia for me personally, I toss and turn all night. I don't really actually wake up either. But my mind is on full tilt. I might try the tumeric and valerian root. Melatonin gives me terrible dreams for some reason. I would love to wake up feeling refreshed!!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 28, 2017

Caroline Singh   •   June 27, 2017

I usually wind down by relaxing on the couch or, in the summer, having a nice cook drink on the balcony. I love a nice bath too or a calming yoga practice.

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 28, 2017

Julie   •   June 27, 2017

Reading a little or a bath : )

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 28, 2017

Anita   •   June 27, 2017

I love that you've been sharing so many awesome tumeric recipes! I have no idea New chapter had a tumeric option!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 28, 2017

Sharon   •   June 27, 2017

Great prize!

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Rachel Molenda   •   June 28, 2017

Rebecca   •   September 17, 2017

Hello, I'm a big fan of the Joyous team it's probably the blog I visit the most. I thought you had done a video/ post of the supplements you take/ recommend. I re watched your series on what you have in the kitchen/ pantry/ freezer/ bathroom etc. But I could not find that information. Hoping you can tell me where to find it or provide the link. Thank You Becca

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Joy McCarthy   •   September 18, 2017

Taran   •   May 8, 2018

I just purchased the Tujeric Force tablets. Are these safe to take daily? Is it better to buy the fermented turmeric powder? Thanks!

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Rachel Molenda   •   May 8, 2018

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