Herbal Sleep Supplements: Herbal Products to Promote a Restful Sleep By Andrew Stratton At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

We all know how important it is to get a good night's rest. Not only does it lead to better mood, higher work productivity and increased concentration, but recent studies have also shown that lack of sleep is an important contributor to obesity. In other words, the less you sleep, the more likely you are to gain weight and be obese.

However, despite the known benefits of eight hours of shut eye, the majority of Americans are not able to get a full nights rest. For many, it is difficult to both fall and stay asleep leading to a fitful night's rest and constant grogginess throughout the day.

For those who want to avoid taking potentially addictive prescription medication, the alternative is herbal supplements. Herbal supplements offer a safe and all natural way to help you both fall asleep and stay that way, so that you can get those eight hours you crave.

A variety of herbal supplements are available online to aid sleeping and usually cost far less than a trip to the doctor. The top five herbal sleep aids are chamomile, valerian, tryptophan, melatonin, and SAME, though new supplements continue to emerge as research in the field of herbalism grows.

Chamomile is perhaps the most familiar supplement to aid sleeping and is considered one of the oldest and most gentle sleep aids. Chamomile has a mild flavor and is most commonly drunk as a tea in the evening to induce sleepiness. Valerian is another common sleep aid and is derived from a root. While it can be taken on occasion, it is considered to be most effective when taken regularly to help with long-term sleeping problems.

Tryptophan is an amino acid most commonly recognized as the ingredient in turkey that causes that post-Thanksgiving coma. However, it can also be used as an herbal road to slumber the other 364 days a year. Supplementing tryptophan in your diet can induce relaxation and lead to healthier sleeping patterns.

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body often called the "sleep hormone" because of its importance to healthy rest. Some individuals have a shortage of melatonin and may need supplements in order to ensure a proper night;s rest.

Finally, SAME (short for S-adenosyl-methionine) is an amino acid derivative that naturally occurs in the body but may be in short supply. Taking SAME, especially on a regular and longer term basis, may promote healthy sleep cycles.

Overall, herbal supplements are a safe and effective way to promote healthy sleep. While many prescription aids can be addictive or can lead to side effects such as drowsiness and lack of concentration, these all natural remedies work in place of your body's natural chemicals and therefore have few to no side effects.

By taking these supplements, you can gain all the benefits of a full night's sleep in a healthy and natural way. In getting more sleep, you will have more energy, better concentration, and will be less likely to gain weight, resulting in a healthier and happier you!

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