A good nights sleep is important for so many reasons. If you are one of those people, like me, who goes to bed at night feeling very tired, but your mind won’t stop processing the day you’ve just had and won’t let you fall asleep, then I may have the answer for you. Read on to discover my top tip on how to fall asleep faster….
Finding the right sleep aid for you
I have always been jealous of people who can lie down at night and fall asleep within minutes. For some reason my brain decides that it wants to process all the happenings of the day for at least 30 minutes before it can switch off.
I have tried the obvious tricks for sleeping such as counting sheep, but I always imagine them jumping over a fence and falling over, which never works obviously.
There are quite a few relaxation techniques on the internet, such as clenching all your muscles sysmatically from head to toe, but this hasn’t worked for me either.
Years and years of trying different things has brought me to a point where I have finally found something that helps me get to sleep faster and I want to share it with the world!!
Read on……..
Do teas help you sleep?
They work!! Yes they do!! These will help you to fall asleep faster. I enjoy a cup about 30 minutes before I go to bed and I fall asleep almost as soon as my head hits the pillow with a 99% success rate! I have four which are my favourite and I’m going to list them here for you. (All caffeine-free!!) Sounds interesting? Then keep on reading……
The first sleep tea I discovered was given to me by a friend as a gift and I’m so glad she did. I had always been an English breakfast tea or latte kinda girl, but this converted me in to a herbal tea girl (especially in the evening when I didn’t fancy anything too heavy).
4 of the best sleep teas
1. Pukka Night Time
My first favourite sleep tea is Pukka Night Time. Do you like licorice? This could be the one for you.
Described on the box as “A dreamy bed of oatflower, lavender & limeflower”. I’m not sure I can taste all these different elements, but it is certainly refreshing. The licorice root in this tea lingers on the pallet after you have swallowed it, which I quite enjoy, and almost leaves you with a non-sugary sweetness in your mouth.
Not listed on the front of the box, there are actually quite a few other ingredients in this tea.
Ingredients:
Oat flowering tops (30%) – Apparently these were traditionally used as a mild relaxant and sleep aid as well as being used to steady the nervous system and relieve anxiety.
Licorice root – According to a Korean study, licorice extract can help to regulate sleep. The research also concluded that licorice extract “might be effective” for treating insomnia.
Camomile flower – Commonly regarded as a mild tranquilizer or sleep inducer. It is thought that it’s calming effects could be attributed to an antioxidant called apigenin, which is found in abundance in camomile tea.
Lavender flower (14%) – A well known health benefit of lavender tea is its ability to induce a feeling of calm. It is believed that the relaxing effects of lavender tea can help improve sleep and may be used to treat sleep disorders.
Limeflower (10%) – Has been used in folk medicine across cultures to relieve high blood pressure, calm anxiety, and soothe digestion.
Valerian root – An herb that may help improve sleep, promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
Tulsi leaf – Rich in adaptogens (herbs or mushrooms thought to have health benefits). It is believed that they are good for reducing the stress levels in your body. It is also thought that Tulsi helps relax your nervous system and increase blood circulation. This is calming to the senses and contributes to reduction in stress.
2. Clipper Organic Sleep Easy Infusion
My second favourite sleep tea is Clipper Organic Sleep Easy Infusion. It’s a bit orangy!
The box describes the Clipper teas as “Organic” and “grown in a way that preserves the natural balance of the environment and will help sustain people, wildlife and the land for the future”.
This tea has a mild taste of spicy orange and, as before is very refreshing, however the camomile is quite strong on this one. If you aren’t a chamomile fan then maybe avoid this one.
Ingredients:
Cinnamon – Has a plethera of health benefits. Too many to list here.
Camomile (25%) – Commonly regarded as a mild tranquilizer or sleep inducer. Its calming effects may be attributed to an antioxidant called apigenin, which is found in abundance in chamomile tea.
Rooibos – contains magnesium and calcium, both minerals which play a role in a good night’s sleep. Studies published in the European Neurology Journal confirm that calcium levels spike during deep sleep. The brain uses calcium to manufacture the sleeping hormone melatonin, which enhances the quality of your sleep
Lemon Balm (5%) – This citrus-scented, aromatic herb has been used for reducing stress and improving sleep since the Middle Ages. Evidence shows that lemon balm increases GABA levels in mice, indicating that lemon balm may act as a sedative
Valerian Root (5%) – An herb that may help improve sleep, promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
Natural Orange Flavouring (5%)
3. Twinings Sleep
My next favourite sleep tea is Twinings Sleep. It’s a fruity one!
This tea smells amazing and has a beautifully delicate taste of apple and vanilla. My daughter particularly likes this one, especially with a dollop of honey.
On the front of the box the tea is described as “Spiced apple & vanilla with chamomile & passionflowers”. Twinings also state on the box “Sourced with Care”. “Improving quality of life in the communities we source from.”
Ingredients:
Passionflower (35%) – Some researchers believe that passionflower supplements may help treat anxiety, insomnia, and certain forms of pain because it may increase levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical the brain makes to help regulate mood.
Apple pieces (15%)
Camomile (14%) – Commonly regarded as a mild tranquilizer that helps you fall asleep faster. Its calming effects may be attributed to an antioxidant called apigenin, which is found in abundance in chamomile tea.
Cinnamon Bark (10%) – Has a plethera of health benefits. Too many to list here.
Natural Apple Flavouring with other Natural Flavourings (10%)
Cardamon (6%) – There appears to be evidence that cardamom can help the sleep process. The spice contains melatonin – a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
Cloves (6%) – As with cinnamon there are appear to be many health benefits of cloves, but not necessarily linked to a good nights sleep.
Natural Vanilla Flavouring with other Natural Flavourings (4%)
4. Pukka Peace Organic
My fourth favourite sleep tea has to be Pukka Peace. It’s a minty one!
This one first caught my eye because of the “Marijuana” leaves on the front. Yes I was curious. Obviously, when I looked closer I realised it was hemp not Marijuana. Although from the same cannabis family, hemp is legal in the UK and Marijuana isn’t.
The main difference between these two plants is that hemp contains very low amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the chemical responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis, where as Marijuana contains higher quantities of THC.
CBD can help reduce sleeplessness
Both plants contain cannabinoid (CBD) which has numerous health benefits, one of which is apparently helping to improve sleep. There is preliminary research available to suggest that CBD can help with a number of sleep disorders, including insomnia, REM sleep behaviour disorder, and excessive daytime sleepiness disorder.
Additional early research suggests CBD can also help to improve sleep and reduce anxiety.
On the front of the box, this tea is described as “A serene blend of spearmint, ashwagandha & hemp seed oil”.
I find this tea doesn’t have a particularly strong minty flavour or smell so would suit people who prefer a light delicate tea experience.
Ingredients:
Camomile flower – Commonly regarded as a mild tranquilizer or sleep inducer. An antioxidant in the flower called apigenin is thought to create calming effects.
Spearmint leaf (36%) – Spearmint is used to improve memory, digestion, stomach problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Its tastes lovely in tea, but no direct link to sleep as far as I can see.
Licorice root – According to a Korean study, licorice extract can help to regulate sleep. The research also concluded that licorice extract “might be effective” for treating insomnia.
Lavender flower – A well known health benefit of lavender tea is its ability to induce calm. Lavender helps to improve sleep and may be used to treat sleep disorders.
Ashwagandha root (5%) – An evergreen shrub traditionally used as an adaptogen, and used for many conditions related to stress. Adaptogens are believed to help the body resist physical and mental stress. So, it is used for include insomnia, aging, anxiety and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Hemp seed oil granules (4%) – Early studies indicate that high dosages of CBD may support sleep.
I’m sure there are many more wonderful sleep teas on the market to be discovered but these four are my favourite and I know they work for me.
Why not give one, or all of them a go and see if they work for you. If nothing else, you will have a lovely cuppa before bed.
This websites services, content, and products are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Milsygirl.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Speak with a GP if you have any questions about the health benefits of any of the products mentioned in this blog.
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