Did you know that humans spend about one-third of our life either sleeping or attempting to do so?
Sleep is an essential function that allows your body and mind to recharge, leaving you refreshed and alert when you wake up. Healthy sleep also helps the body remain healthy and stave off diseases. Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly.
Recent research (2021) shows that more than half of adult Australians are suffering from at least one chronic sleep symptom that is affecting their ability to live a healthy, happy life.
A report commissioned by Sleep Health Foundation reveals how common symptoms of insomnia are across the adult population. It found almost 60 per cent of people regularly experience at least one sleep symptom (like trouble falling or staying asleep), and 14.8 per cent have symptoms which could result in a diagnosis of clinical insomnia.
Sleeping pills are among the most frequently prescribed medications worldwide. Benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like medication are the most commonly used sleeping tablets in Australia and include temazepam (Temaze, Normison), zopiclone (Imovane) and zolpidem (Stilnox). They are recommended for short term use only yet, often people take them for longer and they are highly addictive.
Given the well-known risk of side effects associated with commonly prescribed sleeping medications, interest in complementary and alternative medicines for sleep concerns has increased in recent years.
Herbal medicines have a long history of use for disorders of the nervous system.
In contrast to many medications for sleeping, herbal medicines offer a good safety profile alongside their anxiolytic, sedative and hypnotic properties.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Hops (Humulus lupulus) and Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) have long been utilised for the treatment of nervous tension and sleep disorders.
GABA is a major neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the regulation of sleep and arousal. The most commonly used sleep medications exert their effects via the GABA systems.
These three specific herbal medicines have been shown to have the same effects – they modulate GABA thus initiating positive sleep outcomes. They have been shown individually to reduce sleep latency (length of time it takes to fall asleep) and wake time, without morning sedation.In combination, passionflower, hops and valerian have been compared to a benzodiazepine sedative drug for the treatment of insomnia.
Significant improvements in sleep latency, total sleep time, number of nightly awakenings and insomnia severity scores were seen in both groups. However, the herbal combination was found to be a safe and effective alternative to the sedative drug.In addition to addressing sleep disorders, passionflower, hops and valerian also target nervousness, anxiety and promote a sense of calm. As such, they are beneficial in anxiety and depression, which very often play a role in insomnia.
If you are having issues with sleep, please book a FREE 15 minute consultation and we can chat more about how naturopathy can assist you or shop sleep aids here:
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