World Sleep Day is coming! According to the World Sleep Society, World Sleep Day is recognized annually on the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox. This year it falls on Friday, March 18th, 2023. It is an annual event to bring awareness to sleep related disorders.

Poor sleep or lack of adequate sleep can contribute to a number of health related issues, as well as social problems and accidents related to impaired driving. This World Sleep Day, we’re doing our part by bringing awareness to both prevention and sleep management techniques.

Ways to Prevent Sleep Problems

Whether it’s a regular occurrence or occasional jet lag, here are a few surefire ways to reduce the long term effects of poor sleep without opting for sleep medications.

  • Get regular physical exercise and plenty of time outdoors (or near a sunny window if you can’t make it outside).
  • Spray lavender essential oils on your pillow before going to sleep.
  • Check in with your healthcare provider about whether or not iron supplements might be the answer for you. Sleep problems can be related to iron deficiency. Iron supplementation is also one of the remedies for restless leg syndrome.
  • Consider melatonin supplements. Melatonin is a natural sleep aid that is non-habit forming.
  • Try natural herbal medicines like passionflower for sleep support. It is a sleep herbal remedy that can be taken in a capsule, tincture, or tea.

Studies show there are many options for herbal medicine to reduce the burden of sleep problems. Try 1 or 3 of these home remedies and you will quickly notice even the short term benefits of incorporating them into your regular routine.

What is Passionflower?

Passionflower, or Passiflora incarnata, is a perennial vine with strikingly beautiful flowers that is native to the southeastern United States. It belongs to the Passifloraceae family, which includes more than 500 species of mostly tropical and subtropical plants.

Passionflower is known for its potential medicinal properties and has been used for centuries by Native American tribes to treat a variety of conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and epilepsy. It is believed to work by increasing the levels of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which can have a calming effect.

Passionflower is available in various forms such as teas, tinctures, and capsules, and is often used as a natural remedy to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, and relieve pain. However, it's important to note that while passionflower is generally considered safe when used as directed, it may interact with certain medications and may not be suitable for everyone. It's always a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional before using any herbal supplement.

Passionflower Benefits

Passionflower has been traditionally used as a natural remedy for various other health conditions aside from insomnia. It can be applied to various neurological disorders including Parkinson’s, epilepsy, neuralgia, shingles, anxiety, and hypertension.

Here are five potential health benefits of passionflower that anyone could benefit from:

  1. Reducing anxiety: Passionflower may help to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calmness by increasing the levels of GABA in the brain. Several studies have found that passionflower is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms in people with generalized anxiety disorder.
  2. Improving sleep: Passionflower may also improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and reducing insomnia symptoms. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics found that passionflower extract improved sleep quality and duration in people with sleep disorders.
  3. Relieving pain: Passionflower may have analgesic properties and may help to relieve pain. A study published in the Journal of Pain Research found that passionflower extract reduced pain and inflammation in rats.
  4. Lowering blood pressure: Passionflower may help to lower blood pressure, which is beneficial for people with hypertension. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that passionflower extract reduced blood pressure in rats with hypertension.
  5. Anti-inflammatory properties: Passionflower may have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce inflammation and associated health conditions. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that passionflower extract reduced inflammation in mice with induced inflammation.

It's important to note that while passionflower may offer these potential health benefits, more research is needed to fully understand its effects on the human body. It's always a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional before using any herbal supplement.

Passionflower, a Restlessness Herbal Remedy

If you struggle with feelings of restlessness and insomnia, passionflower is a herbal remedy with minimal to no side effects. Passionflower may help with sleep by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety, which can be common causes of insomnia and difficulty sleeping. Passionflower contains compounds that have a sedative effect on the central nervous system, and it is believed to increase the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps to calm the brain and reduce anxiety.

Studies have found that passionflower may help to improve sleep quality and duration in people with sleep disorders. A study published in the Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research found that passionflower tea improved sleep quality in postmenopausal women.

Passionflower is available in various forms such as teas, tinctures, and capsules. Here are our favourite ways to incorporate passionflower into your regular routine.

  1. Sip passionflower tea before bed. It pairs well with herbs like chamomile, skullcap, and valerian. For feelings of nervousness specifically, pair it with skullcap, wood betony, valerian, and a half part each of ginger and licorice.
  2. Support a healthy mood with high quality passionflower capsules. Passionflower pairs well with valerian root and St. John’s Wort in capsule form to help reduce stress and support a healthy and balanced mood.
  3. Find or make a high quality passionflower tincture from the dried herb. Tinctures are great for in-the-moment relief, as well as a herbal remedy to be taken throughout the day to support feelings of nervous system regulation and stability.

Life can be stressful. By losing sleep or carrying on throughout the day in a state of restlessness or excess of nerves, we are contributing to wear and tear on our bodies and bodily systems. Stepping in to take adequate measures to prevent feelings of burnout, sleep deprivation, and anxiety can make a world of difference for our long-term health and wellbeing.

Disclaimer

Pascoe Canada does not offer health or medical advice as we are not a healthcare practitioner. Please speak with your healthcare practitioner before beginning any program related to nutrition, diet, exercise, fitness, medical, and/or wellness. All content published by Pascoe Canada is developed through collaborating with licensed medical professionals and contributors. This includes text, graphics, images, and other material on the website, newsletter, and products (“Content”). This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always do your own research on whether this is for you along with your healthcare practitioner advice. Always consult your healthcare practitioner prior to using specific herbs because you might have underlying conditions that need professional care. The content is general in nature and is subject to change. It is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.