Fluff the pillow. Nope.
Roll over. Legs ache. Stretch out. Nope.
Read the dictionary. After 2 blurry pages, check the clock. Seconds ticking seem like days.
Count sheep. Nope.
Turn on meditation music. Nope. Sleep seems to be a realm on Mars.
Roll over and check the clock. It’s only been 3 minutes – how can it seem like 3 weeks? Will I ever get to sleep?
First, it’s a sleepless night here. Then it’s a night there. Eventually, the lack of sleep becomes a habitual pattern for our minds and bodies.
A ritual cup of herbal blend tea may help you break the sleepless cycle.Â
We suggest Bedtime Tea, (available in our store only). The blend is created from seven herbs known for their sleep-aid properties. Here’s the breakdown:
Catnip – While the effects of this herb tend to make felines playful, it has the opposite effect on humans. Iridoid glycosides present in the plant are anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic, meaning it can reduce tension and relax muscles. A bonus of this herb is that it also fights fevers and colds.
Chamomile – The flowers contain flavonoids, which help to manage chronic pain with their anti-inflammatory properties. Offering this respite while trying to fall asleep could be the relaxation needed to settle into sleep mode. Chamomile also contains phenolic compounds which are antibacterial and antiviral.
Lavender – Terpenes, the scent of the plant, is usually associated with aromatherapy and its calming nature. Lavender is a sedative and contains polyphenols, which are reducing agents, or anti-inflammatories, which ease sore muscles and aches.
Lemon Balm – The terpenes in lemon balm aromatically reduces stress. The plant contains eugenol, which calms muscle spasms, numbs tissues, and kills bacteria. Another benefit is that lemon balm has anti-viral properties.
Passionflower – The organic acids found in the blossoms reduce inflammation and joint disorders and arthritis and gout. Flavonoids and other phytochemicals reduce insomnia and restlessness.
Peppermint – The aroma of peppermint comes from the menthol in the leaves. Menthol is a sedative and promotes muscles to relax and calm the mind. It is also an anti-inflammatory and an immune system booster with its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Valerian Root – Hesperidin and linarin are antioxidants found in this herb. The plant’s sedative properties affect the brain and nervous system and calms the mind. If you have sore neck, back, knees, or headaches, this will assist in relaxation. Valerian root is also an immunity booster.
When these seven herbs are combined in your bedtime cup, you have sleep locked in your grasp!
Just be sure to drink your cup at least an hour before you crawl between the sheets – the last thing you want is to get up for a trip to the bathroom!
P.S. We have some great music to help you fall asleep, too…