The Drs: Does Chamomile Tea Help You Fall Asleep?
The Doctors shared that the National Sleep Foundation reports that nearly half of all Americans will experience occasional insomnia. The Doctors were paid a visit by Dr Raj Dasgupta, to find out about some of the best all-natural sleep aids.
The Doctors took a closer look at some all-natural sleep aids, including… coffee? (ultrakml / flickr)
Dr Raj shared that chamomile tea is used for all kinds of things like upset stomach and allergies. It can also make you sleepy. The only problem is that chamomile is a natural blood thinner, so if you’re taking it before a procedure or surgery, it can be dangerous. He said based on data, it’s not a very effective sleep aid.
The Drs: Kava To Fight Insomnia
They then looked at Kava, which works the same way as chamomile in regards to the receptor in your brain that makes you sleepy. But Kava is liver toxic, so if you already have issues with your liver, you shouldn’t take Kava. Also, you can’t drink alcohol with Kava because it will cause double sedation and double liver damage.
The Drs: Does Valerian Root Promote Better Sleep?
As for valerian root, its number one side effect is drowsiness, which wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing if you’re using it as a sleep aid. It again works with the same receptor in the brain, as well as activating another receptor which makes you want to sleep. Valerian root basically works as an opposite of caffeine.
If you’ve been struggling to get some sleep for more than a couple weeks, you need to see a doctor, because you could be treating the symptoms rather than the underlying disorder.
The Drs: Counting Sheep Coffee
Dr Raj recommended a product called Counting Sheep Coffee, which is decaf and contains valerian root. He said he normally would never recommend coffee up to six hours before trying to go to sleep, but some people may see a benefit after drinking a cup before they go to bed. If you ask me, I’d say if you enjoy a cup of coffee anyway and aren’t super sensitive to caffeine, Counting Sheep Coffee just may be worth a try. It could be just what you’ve been looking for to finally get some much needed rest.
Have you found any effective ways to treat insomnia and get to sleep easier?
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