The average person benefits greatly when getting 6.5-9 hours of sleep a night. With our hectic lives and so much on our minds, we're lucky if we get enough ZZZZ's at night. Fortunately, there are many herbal sleep aid ingredients that will help soothe the soul, calm the mind and help to achieve the peace and quiet you seek at night. Below are some of the more common ingredients found in sleep aids that you may benefit from:
5-HTP is derived from Griffonia Extract, which comes from an African vegetable. 5-HTP is an amino acid that is a direct precursor of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter having pain soothing and relaxing effects. Because of its calming effect, many rely on 5-HTP to alleviate stress-attacks, as well as to encourage restful sleep. Unlike sedative drugs, 5-HTP is not associated with unwanted side effects, such as disturbed sleep patterns or grogginess. It can be taken regularly one hour before retiring as a remedy for insomnia.
Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland, a pea-size structure at the center of the brain, as our eyes register the fall of darkness. Melatonin is produced to help our bodies regulate our sleep-wake cycles. The amount of it produced by our body seems to lessen as we get older. Studies suggest that melatonin supplements can hasten sleep and ease jet lag, without the hazards or side effects of prescription sleeping pills.
Valerian is an herbal remedy derived from the dried roots of the valerian plant, Valeriana officinalis and has been used for over a thousand years as a mild sedative and hypnotic. Valerian is most commonly used to relieve mild cases of anxiety and insomnia and is effective at relieving menstrual and gas in the stomach/intestines.
