Natural Medicine for Sleep to Improve Health

Difficulty falling and staying asleep is a struggle for many people. The lack of energy going to work the next day and general moodiness lack of sleep causes may be enough to get them to set up an appointment with a doctor. However, there are possible side effects with prescribed sleep aids that you may be wanting to avoid.

Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to uncover the best natural medicine for sleep for any age and any sleep disorder.

Natural Medicine for Sleep

In many cases, the fix to insomnia is simple. It includes:

avoiding stimulants and caffeine before going to bed
avoiding heavy dinners
exercising for at least 10 minutes a day

But at times, you may want natural medicine for sleep or even something over-the-counter (OTC). OTC medicine is sometimes thought of as prescription medicine, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Many natural sleep aids on the market can provide relaxation and reduce anxiety. Some worry that taking prescribed medication can cause dependency and withdrawal when they stop taking it. So many turn to herbal medicine.

However, since the FDA doesn’t regulate herbal medicine, it should be used with caution and consultation with your doctor.

The most recommended natural sleep aid is a cup of chamomile tea. A study concluded chamomile tea might help as a supplement to alleviate depression and help improve sleep quality.

The antioxidant apigenin, present in chamomile, binds to receptors in the brain, reduces insomnia, and increases sleepiness. Since it isn’t FDA-approved, more studies are necessary to determine how much of an impression is made on improving sleep quality.

Chamomile tea has also shown to be an impressive natural sleep medicine for babies and toddlers alike. It’s recommended that they are at least six months old before offering a cup of chamomile and ensuring that they are not allergic.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a well-known natural sleep aid that controls a person’s circadian rhythm. It’s a hormone that’s produced in the pineal gland and is typically available at your local drug store.

Recent studies have shown melatonin to help people fall asleep faster and reduce interrupted sleep time. For some, it’s excellent, but for others, it may have an opposite effect. It’s known to cause wakefulness at night leading to grogginess and irritability as side effects.

On the other hand, it offers an added benefit to travelers for those that work well with melatonin. People who travel often use it to relieve jet lag, fight inflammation, and boost immunity.

Prescribed Sleep Aids

If changing your diet, avoiding stimulants before bedtime, and adding exercise to your daily routine hasn’t helped, going the herbal route is the next best step. But for some people, even natural medicine for sleep doesn’t help.

If that’s the case, speaking with your doctor about getting a prescribed sleep aid may be the best chance at getting sufficient rest. If prescription costs are blocking you from speaking with your doctor, they may be able to recommend prescription discounts on your sleep aid. The best case is now you’ve got a tool in your belt to help you get a good night’s rest!

Is Natural Medicine for Sleep Right for You?

Many people respond astonishingly well to natural sleep medicine like the ones listed above. There are other methods to help induce sleep and relaxation that we did not cover in this article but should also be looked into.

Yoga is an excellent example of an alternative method to help you fall asleep. A study showed that 55% of adults who participated in yoga could fall and stay asleep.

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