Q. Dear Terry, “I’ve been having sleep issues lately because my brain doesn’t want to turn off. My mind starts racing when I’m lying in bed and then I can’t fall asleep. I don’t want to take sleeping pills because they make me feel terrible. What can I try?” – Karen T., Greenville, SC
A. Dear Karen, Sleep quality and quantity are both incredibly important to our overall health. While there can be many reasons you are experiencing sleep difficulties, it sounds like anxiety could be a factor.
To assist with a restful night’s sleep, you could consider a combination of mandarin zest extract, lemon balm leaf, ravintsara leaf oil, and lavender flower oil. These ingredients all work in slightly different ways to help support a good night’s sleep. I would take these ingredients thirty minutes to an hour before bedtime. You could take these ingredients every night.
When your mind is racing, I would add narrow-leaved coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) to your daily regimen. Researchers have discovered that compounds in this unique type of coneflower can help reduce anxiety as effectively as certain prescription medications, without the side effects. These compounds have been shown to interact with our endocannabinoid system, which helps to instill a sense of calm and relaxation.
I would try 20 to 40 mg of the coneflower extract in the evening about an hour before bed. If anxiety affects you in the daytime as well, you could take this extract in the AM and PM. This extract is safe enough to be taken daily. Make sure you look for a clinically studied, narrow-leaved coneflower root extract standardized for echinacoside and alkamides in the right ratio to reduce anxiety.
Healthy Regards!
Terry . . . Naturally
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