Snooze Like a Baby, Without Sleeping Pills

Because sleep is so essential to your health and well-being, it's important to make it a priority. If you're struggling to get some decent shut-eye, Mother Earth News suggests brewing a cup of tea made from relaxing, non-habit-forming herbs such as catnip (Nepeta cataria), which is a gentle sedative; chamomile (Matricaria recutita), which helps calm your nerves and sooth the stomach; or passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), a safe sedative that eases anxiety, worry, or an overactive mind.

Tried-and-true Formula for Insomnia

Herbalist and acupuncturist Christopher Hobbs also recommends this tried-and-true formula for insomnia:

• - 30 percent valerian, a mild sedative, nonaddictive herb; best used in capsule form because of its unpleasant taste and smell
• - 20 percent linden
• - 20 percent kava, the national drink of Fiji; promotes deep sleep; causes mild euphoria and can enhance dreams; do not drink if you have liver problems or have just consumed alcohol
• - 20 percent chamomile
• - 10 percent catnip