Description
Lavender is a fragrant herb native to the Old World. It has uses in cooking and in aromatherapy. The herb has been used medicinally for hundreds of years, and studies suggest that it can help improve sleep as well.
One study examined the effects of lavender oil on college students and found that the students who used the oil slept better and woke up feeling more refreshed than those who didn’t. Another study done in mice indicated that “repeated application of lavender” improved sleep quality. Taking lavender for insomnia, then, could be worth a shot.
Instruction
Lavender is typically drunk in tea or added in the form of essential oil to a diffuser. As a tea, 1 to 2 tsp of lavender can be steeped in hot water. The tea can be drunk half an hour before bed for insomnia.
Side Effects
Side effects of lavender may include:
- headache
- constipation
- skin irritation