It takes time and practice to learn how to use teas, herbs and foods for natural health and wellness. This means we get lots of questions from people who are just getting started.
One of the most asked-about topics is SLEEP! Earlier this week, we published a short video that answered a few sleep-related customer questions. I thought I should go into a little bit more detail about the topic, since this is an issue that affects so many people.
Click here to send us your questions about teas, herbs, and natural health!
Our first question is from M., who asks: “I can’t sleep at night, but I’m tired during the day. What should I do?”
This is such a great question, because you would think that if you’re tired during the day, you’ll sleep really well once your head hits the pillow. Sadly, the opposite is often true. If you are anything like M., you might be drinking loads of caffeine to get going in the morning and power through your exhaustion. While caffeine might work in the short term, it will actually make the problem worse in the long run.
My answer to M. is this: if you drink calming (but not necessarily sedating; there is a big difference) herbal teas on a regular basis during the day, it will nourish and fortify your nervous system and allow you to unwind and relax more deeply at night. Teas like Daily Calm and Anxiety Relief help you to take on the stresses of life in a more relaxed and grounded way, so that when bedtime rolls around, you’re not all wound up from stress, worry, and caffeine.
Related article: 7 Ways To Manage Anxiety Naturally
The next question is from A.: “If I drink Nitey Nite before I go to sleep, will I wake up feeling groggy, or have a hard time waking up?”
I wonder if A. had used prescription or over-the-counter sleep medications in the past, because that’s how people often feel the morning after taking them. The good news is that, while the herbs in Nitey Nite tea are sedating enough to help you fall asleep, they are much more gentle than sleep medications. Herbs like California poppy, passionflower, and valerian, work with your body, relaxing your nerves, muscles, and mind, rather than hijacking it like drugs tend to do.
So, unless you drink a very large amount of Nitey Nite before bed, you will most likely wake up feeling more refreshed.
Lastly, C. wanted to know: “Can I drink Nitey Nite if I’m taking a prescription sleep medication?”
Because so many people are taking a combination of prescription drugs and nutritional or herbal supplements, we get this question often. Many people assume that because a tea is “natural”, that it’s completely safe, and in certain situations (like in combination with medications), it’s not the case at all. Most relaxing herbs are perfectly safe on their own, but when you take them while using sedative drugs, the combination can be too strong for your body. So, C., the short answer is “no”. The best thing to do is to talk with your pharmacist, who should be able to provide you with important information about your prescription, including what things you should avoid.
Comments or questions? Post in the comments below or click here to send us an email!
Related article: How Even A Little Caffeine Can Keep You Awake
Sweet dreams,
Kita
2 comments
Hi Gail! I would recommend Nitey Nite tea instead of a store brand tea for a number of reasons, most importantly because Loose Leaf products are organic, the leaves are whole rather than pulverized for using in a tea bag, and they are extremely fresh. If you’re using tea for health benefits, it’s very important to choose the highest quality products you can find; this will work much better than a factory-made store brand.
Is sleepy time celestial seasonings tea good? Does it have something to make you sleep