Sleep plays an important role in whole-body health. While asleep, your brain detoxifies metabolic waste, rebuilds new neural connections, resets the balance of neurotransmitter and more.  

Not getting enough sleep – whether it’s caused by insomnia, stress, or environmental factors – impacts many aspects of your life. 

Sleep deficiency caused by insomnia causes issues with: 

  • Decision making and problem solving 
  • Emotional & behavioral control 
  • Weight management 
  • Aging 
  • Immunity
  • Sex drive

The good news is that you may be able to find insomnia relief in your kitchen! Let’s review some herbs that are common in gardens, pantries and natural wellness stores.

Find Relief At Home

Chamomile is a sedative herb used for restlessness combined with irritability to soothe overwrought nerves. 

Hops are used as a sedative for worrying, sleeplessness, nervousness, and restlessness. 

Lavender is a gentle strengthening tonic for the nervous system to alleviate insomnia. 

Passion flower is an excellent herb sedative for mental worry, overwork, or nervous exhaustion with no side effects even when used in large doses. 

Valerian is used extensively for its sedative action against insomnia, nervousness, and restlessness. It is recommended for those type of people who have a hard time falling asleep, because it shortens sleep latency. It also reduces nighttime waking. Valerian is an excellent herbal sedative that has none of the negative side effects of Valium and other synthetic sedatives. It works well in combination with other sedative herbs, such as California poppy, skullcap, hops, and passion flower. 

Wild lettuce is a mild sedative used for restlessness and insomnia. It may be found in a variety of formulas for the treatment of acute and chronic insomnia. It is used homeopathically for restlessness and insomnia. 

California poppy is a sedative and sleep-promoting herb found in a variety of herbal remedies sold in the United States for promoting sleep, helping one to relax, and easing mild anxiety. 

Kava is a drink that imparts a calm feeling, relaxes the body, and sometimes enhances communication and dreaming. This sedative herb is often used for sleeplessness and fatigue. 

St. John’s Wort is a common yellow-flowered weedy herb that can help relieve chronic insomnia and mild depression when related to certain brain chemistry imbalances. 

Before using any of these herbs as home remedies for insomnia, be sure that you aren’t mistaking them for lookalike plants. If you haven’t grown them yourself or bought them from a trusted source, we recommend getting the benefits of these herbs from natural supplements.  

Here are two of our favorite natural sleep aids you can buy in wellness stores or online. 

Natural sleep aid for insomnia recommended by our austin functional medicine doctors

Tranquinol 

Tranquinol® is a premier lifestyle product that is scientifically formulated to promote a balanced state of relaxation and mental tranquility while supporting a calm mood during times of stress and anxiety. 

Learn More 

A lotion used for insomnia relief recommended by our austin functional medicine doctors

Calming Cream 

Calming Cream™ was designed by a leading neuroimmune specialist to provide maximum transdermal delivery of GABA, L-Theanine, 5-HTP and Magnesium in a lotion base of lavender oil. 

Learn More 

It’s important to understand potential benefits and side effects of herbal supplements, especially if you are taking medications, have chronic health problems, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Be sure to consult our staff at Infinity Wellness Center! 

We can get to the root cause and overcome your insomnia together. Schedule an appointment today to finally be well-rested again!

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive a FREE eBook!

Join our mailing list and receive our eBook on "8 Solutions to Uncovering and Correcting the Causes of Chronic Fatigue."

Thank you for subscribing! You will receive our eBook in your inbox shortly. If not, check your spam folder.