Top 5 Natural Herbs That Help You Sleep

Restful sleep is more than just a nightly routine; it's the foundation of well-being.

When we sleep deeply, our bodies repair themselves, our minds integrate, and our inner systems return to balance. Yet, in our modern world, sleep can feel elusive. Thankfully, nature offers gentle allies to help us reconnect with rest: herbs with centuries of traditional use and growing scientific validation.

Below, we explore five of our favorite plants that promote healthy, restorative sleep and ways to incorporate them into your evening ritual.

1. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) can help you fall asleep.

What it offers: Valerian is one of the most widely studied and used herbs for reducing sleep latency, or the time it takes to fall asleep.

How to use it: You can take it as a tea or in capsule/softgel form before bedtime. The effects are usually more noticeable with consistent use over several nights.

What type of sleep does it help with? It is ideal for those who have trouble falling asleep or who want a natural way to fall asleep faster.

How it works: It contains compounds such as isovaleric acid and the alkaloids valerenine and chatinine, which calm the muscular, respiratory, and digestive systems. This reduces overstimulation, which can prevent restful sleep.

2. Fresh Chamomile (Chamomila recutita): relaxes the body and mind

What it offers: Chamomile is well known for its calming effect on the body and mind. While scientific results vary, chamomile is widely accepted as a gentle sleep aid.

How to use it: Drinking a cup of chamomile tea 20–30 minutes before bed can be part of a relaxing nighttime ritual.

What type of sleep does it help with? It is ideal for those who experience mild restlessness, physical tension, or mental stress before sleeping.

How it works: It soothes the mind, relaxes the body, and eases emotional and physical hyperactivity that can interfere with rest.

3. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) For a restless mind and digestion

What it offers: Traditionally used to calm nervousness and relieve digestive discomfort, lemon balm acts on GABA-A receptors to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.

How to use it: It can be prepared as a tea or combined with other relaxing herbs.

What type of sleep does it help with? It is ideal for those who can’t sleep due to mild restlessness, stress, or digestive discomfort.

How it works: It soothes the nervous and digestive systems, reducing emotional and physical tension before sleep.

4. Fresh Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) for an overactive mind

What it offers: Passionflower is one of the most effective herbs for cases of an overthinking mind. Clinical studies have shown that passionflower improves total sleep time and reduces restlessness.

How to use it: It can be consumed as a tea or in capsule/softgel form with standardized extracts.

What type of sleep does it help with? It is ideal for those with lack of sleep caused by racing thoughts, stress, or difficulty "shutting off the mind."

How it works: It promotes mental calmness, supports nervous system function, and encourages emotional relaxation for deep sleep.

5. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica): helps you stay asleep.

What it offers: Traditionally used as a sedative and anxiolytic, the California poppy has been shown to promote calmness in animal studies. 

How to use it: You can take it as a tea, extract, or as part of herbal blends. Its effects are milder than those of traditional medications.

What type of sleep does it help with? It is recommended for those who wake up several times during the night or have difficulty maintaining continuous sleep.

How it works: California poppy doesn’t directly induce sleep; it helps you stay asleep. It calms the nervous system by modulating GABA-A receptors, promoting a more continuous, restorative rest. It can also balance the circadian rhythm in cases of stress, promoting natural sleep without causing morning grogginess.

Did you know that Deep Sleep® contains these herbs as ingredients?

We’ve developed a formula designed to provide the benefits of these traditional herbs and help your body access their essential effects.

• Reduces sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep).
• Supports physical repair during the first half of the night.
• Relaxes the mind and promotes emotional resolution during REM sleep.
• Prevents morning grogginess, allowing you to wake up feeling energetic and clear-headed.

Give Natural Rest a Chance

Unlike conventional sleeping pills, herbal formulas like Deep Sleep® work progressively to help retrain the brain’s sleep centers. Results typically appear after just a few nights of consistent use.

Tip: The deeper the sleep imbalance, the more time it takes to restore a healthy rhythm.

Support your results with good sleep hygiene:

• Maintain a regular sleep and wake schedule.
• Avoid screens before bedtime.
• Sleep in a dark, cool, and quiet environment.
• Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake.
• Eat a light dinner and avoid heavy meals before bedtime.
• Exercise before 6 p.m.