Your Guide to Natural Sleep Teas

A need for sleep is something that we all have in common, but not all of us are getting enough. I’ve always been aware that getting enough sleep is incredibly important, but it wasn’t until reading The Sleep Revolution by Ariana Huffington that I really understood just how vital it truly is for our health and wellbeing. Sometimes it seems like NONE of us are getting enough sleep - as Ariana found, if you begin typing the sentence ’why am I’ into Google, the most common search is actually ’why am I so tired?’ It seems like we’re all talking about sleep, but not a lot of us are really getting a lot of it. After realising that I was also one of those people, I enlisted the help of some natural sleep teas - and I’m feeling better already!

Why is sleep so important?

According to Ariana Huffington, with our busy lifestyles we are now in a social sleep crisis. The elusive realm of sleep has never been more important to maintaining our chaotic lives - it helps keep us alert and able to do our jobs, and contributes immensely to our health and wellbeing. Not only that, it also helps us to reground and reconnect with ourselves. Without proper sleep, you cannot concentrate on anything from work to your relationships, and you aren’t giving your body the time or energy to heal and repair. Ariana says we need to 'reclaim' sleep as a special, sacred practice - just as we make 'me' time to have a bath or relax, we need to ensure that getting enough sleep is a priority and not another bullet point on the to-do list.


Photo: Ben Baker/Redux

Are you getting enough sleep?

Chances are, no. According to Ariana, more than 40% of Americans get less than the recommended minimum seven hours of sleep per night, and this statistic is similar or even worse elsewhere around the world. With nearly half of the population not getting enough rest, this phenomenon can have adverse effects on general health and wellbeing. Whether it’s a struggle to fall asleep, a struggle to sleep soundly throughout the night, or both, there are steps you can take to help. Other than drinking a sleep tea before bed, I’ve also been using my Philip Stein Slim Sleep Bracelet, which harnesses the same electrical frequencies that the brain emits when in a calm and relaxed state of mind, so your body tunes into the frequency and your sleep is aligned.

What are the benefits of sleep teas?

According to our Naturopath, replacing caffeinated teas with a soothing herbal tea around an hour before bed helps to calm the mind and wind your body down before you attempt to head off to sleep. Natural herbal ingredients found in sleep teas such as Passionflower, Valerian and Skullcap help to soothe nervous tension and relieve anxious feelings, reducing the mental stress which often keeps a lot of us wide awake and restless all night. I find that even just taking the time in my nightly routine to enjoy a hot cup of tea before bed is soothing and relaxing, because I know I'm making special time for myself and taking extra care of my body. While sleep teas are greatly beneficial for adults, they're not always suitable for kids - check out my blog post on my favourite natural sleep products for kids here.

Which sleep teas do I recommend?

The Beauty Chef SLEEP Inner Beauty Powder
The Beauty Chef Sleep Powder is a favourite of mine because it contains Lemon Balm and Passionflower, which are traditionally used in western herbal medicine to help relieve nervousness and mild anxiety symptoms and provide support during times of stress. This powder also contains bio-fermented Turmeric, traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to aid digestion. This vegan powder can be enjoyed in a glass of warm almond milk an hour before bed.

If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare practitioner. Always read the label. Use only as directed.



WelleCo Sleep Welle Tea
Formulated by Elle Macpherson and Nutritional Doctor Simone Laubscher, the WelleCo Sleep Welle Tea contains natural ingredients and powerful medicinal herbs including Skullcap, Valerian Root and Hops which are traditional remedies for insomnia and nervous conditions, and also contains Lemon Balm, Passionfruit and Mango to give it a really delicious fruity taste. You can drink this one just before bed, but it’s also great to sip on during the day if you’re starting to feel stressed or anxious. This vegan and sugar free blend helps to ease anxiety and calm a racing mind for a peaceful night's sleep.



Edible Beauty Sleeping Beauty Tea
The beautifully calming Edible Beauty Sleeping Beauty Tea contains Skullcap and Lavender in a base of soothing Passionflower and Chamomile to calm the nervous system and promote a restful sleep. This delicious blend not only soothes nerves and anxiety but also provides amazing healing benefits, assisting digestion, skin clarity and the body's natural healing process. Easily digested, this relaxing blend provides relief from that exhausted feeling, providing support for your emotional wellbeing and your ability to calm down before bed.