Our Top 5 Ingredients to Help You Sleep

Sleep accounts for one-quarter to one-third of the human lifespan and is a paramount time for your mind and body to rest and restore. Too little sleep can manifest in a number of ways – brain fog, decreased mood, depleted energy levels and memory loss, to name a few. Finding sound and consistent sleep every night can be difficult, and some natural sleep boosters within reach can provide a little helping hand in times of need.

Here are our top 5 natural ingredients to help you get to sleep, stay asleep, and wake up without any residual drowsiness:

Cacao

A cup of cacao or a cacao-based treat before bed can work wonders for your quality of sleep, helping you to feel calm and even euphoric. Why? Because of the magnesium and tryptophan found in Raw Cacao Powder. While most of us think of cacao as a stimulating and energising food, it tends to only contain a minor amount of caffeine (less than 1%), which is not enough to disrupt your sleep patterns alone. The calming powers of magnesium and tryptophan in cacao will help even the most sensitive to caffeine with improved sleep.

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin B6, which enhances the body’s conversion of tryptophan, (as noted above) a chemical that promotes sleep. Add Organic Sunflower Seeds to your dinner as a salad topper, or snack on them before bedtime to rest easier.

St John’s Wort

St John’s Wort is a flowering plant that is commonly used to ease anxiety, mild depression, insomnia and other sleep disorders. Our lovely, fruity Sleepy Dream Time Tea is a restful aid that contains St John’s Wort as the key ingredient, alongside gentle berry flavours derived from leaves and fruits. Steep your loose leaves in an infuser or teapot for 6-10 minutes and drink before bedtime to encourage a night of good quality shut-eye.

Chamomile

Chamomile is another common herb to take for improving sleep. It helps to relax, ease anxiety and reduce mental stress to provide a more calming disposition. There have also been several studies showing the antispasmodic properties of chamomile, which encourages the relaxation muscular and nervous tension. Drink a herbal Organic Egyptian Chamomile Tea (don’t be afraid to include a lot of loose leaves to feel the benefits!) to boost your bedtime, or harness the benefits of chamomile essential oil either dropped directly into your bath, or as a massage oil to soothe your nerves.

Almonds

Almonds are a rich source of magnesium, providing 19% of your daily needs in less than 30 grams. Supplementing your diet with magnesium-rich food like almonds may help improve sleep quality, especially for those who have insomnia or other sleep disorders.