Sleep Better With St. John's Wort and Hops

ohn's wort has emerged recently as an herb that isand hypnotic effects. This herb is known to be
known to assist the nervous system. Quite a fewfast-acting, soothing, and calming to the nervous
naturopathic physicians rank kava kava, valerian, St.system. Additionally, it is another nervine herb that
John’s wort, passionflower, and hops as theassists in promoting sleep. It is mainly used to alleviate
most effective herbs for treating insomnia. A studynervous tension and promote restful sleep. Also, hops
that took place in 1994 and was published in theis used for antispasmodic effects. Its relaxing effect
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology provedhas the potential to calm the nerves and muscles in
that St. John’s wort extracts increased deepcases of muscle spasms. This herb has also been
sleep during the total sleeping period of the patients.shown to contain appetizing and tonic properties. It
This study also makes an interesting connectionacts as a stimulant to the glands and muscles of the
between sleep and depression. It was found thatstomach, while calming the hyperexcitable gastric
many standard antidepressants and MAO inhibitorsnerves. Hops also has a relaxing influence upon the
used to treat those people who suffer fromliver and gall duct, and a laxative effect on the bowels.
depression cause a decrease in deep sleep. St.Along with other uses, hops is also used for its
John’s wort has demonstrated the ability toantibiotic properties. It is very helpful for sore throats,
treat both insomnia and depression.bronchitis, infections, high fevers, delirium, toothaches,
Hops, an herb that is commonly found throughout theearaches, and pain. A hops remedy is a great way to
world, was originally used as a food. The tips of thehelp with inflammation, boils, tumors, and swelling. Hops
food were both cooked and eaten. The young plantsis extremely high in B-complex vitamins, which are
were the ones eaten because the older plants wereknown for their calming effect on the nervous system.
too tough. A famous herbalist, Gerarde, recommendedB vitamins also promote energy and aid in problems of
using the buds of these plants in salads, while thedepression, anxiety, nervousness, and memory.
Romans anciently used hops as a food and NativeAdditionally, hops is extremely rich in potassium, which
American tribes found hops to be of great value. Hopsis necessary for nerve transmission, contraction of
have been appreciated for a long time for its nervinemuscles, and hormone secretion. Low levels of
properties. A hop was first used as a beer ingredient inpotassium are often found in those people who have
England around 1500. At this point, hops farmershigh blood pressure. Additionally, hops contains
noticed that their farmhands often seemed tired andmagnesium, zinc, copper, iodine, manganese, iron,
easily fatigued. With time, the herb gained a hugesodium, and fluoride.
reputation as a natural sedative. Pillows were filled withHops and st. johns wort are a wonderful herb that has
hops to promote rest and relaxation during the reign ofmany therapeutic uses. Hops and st. johns wort come
King George when people were recovering from anin tea bag, capsule, and tablet forms at your local or
illness.internet health food store. For more information on St.
Lupulin is a compound that is found in hops. It isJohn’s wort and hops, contact your local health
described as a sedative and hypnotic drug. Certainfood store.
parts of the plant have been found to have sedative