Do Plants Help with Sleep Issues?
For centuries, people have been using herbs to help get them to sleep. These herbs might be in the form of teas or aromatherapy, and yes, many of these plants help you sleep. Chamomile and lemon balm, for instance, are well known for their calming properties and find their way into soothing teas to this day. Lavender has also long been used as a calming herb, but what about other plants that help you sleep?
What Plants Help You Sleep Better?
Besides several herbs, there are other bedtime plants that can help you get some “ZZZs.” Some of the best plants for sleep don’t need to be steeped or ground up. Take jasmine, for instance. Like the pleasant aroma of lavender, jasmine has a soothing effect on mind and body alike. Plus, who doesn’t love the gorgeous pink to ivory blossoms? Another beautiful bloomer with an ambrosial scent is gardenia. Like lavender and jasmine, gardenia is often used in bath salts, candles, and other aromatherapy products. They look and smell equally amazing, but that isn’t their only advantage. Studies suggest that gardenia is as potent as valium and acts as a natural sedative. The best plants for sleep might just be your average houseplants, which by the way are anything but average. Houseplants not only purify the air but also replenish oxygen which can aid in a better night’s sleep. Aloe vera is a common houseplant, grown for not only its beauty but for its medicinal uses. Aloe also releases oxygen at night, a rarity, as many plants release oxygen during the day. Plus, aloe is very easy to care for. With a less than desirable name to some, the snake plant nonetheless has sleep-inducing properties. Like aloe, snake plants give off oxygen at night and, in fact, according to NASA, it is one of the top 10 air purifying plants. Another NASA recommendation is English ivy. It reduces airborne mold and is a great choice for those with allergies or asthma. Gerbera daisies, with their cheerful blooms, also reduce airborne pollutants and boost oxygen at night.
Additional Bedtime Plants to Help You Sleep
There’s no need to look high and low for the best plants to help you sleep. If you have houseplants at all, you probably have plants that will help you sleep. Common houseplants such as peace lilies, golden pothos, and spider plants are all purported to aid in sleeping. Again, they purify the air and replenish oxygen all while bringing the outdoors in. The best plants for sleep will also depend on your gardening expertise. If you have a green thumb, then plants that help you sleep but take a bit more care, such as gardenia and gerbera daisy, are for you. But if you can’t grow grass, try something a bit more foolproof like aloe vera or snake plant.
