38% of us aren’t getting enough sleep according to recent research, which is incredibly high. Women aged 35 to 44 are the worst affected. Out of 14 countries surveyed, we in the UK were found to be the worst sleepers!

People have been using food and herbs for centuries to help them get to sleep. Everything from cups of milk to camomile tea, but what actually works?

Green, black or white tea have been found to be very calming. They contain an amino acid which can enhance sleep and reduce anxiety. A supplement has also been found to help younger boys with ADHD too. Camomile tea has long been associated with calming and soothing,but it does indeed contain chemicals that do induce sleep, so the old wives tales are correct. In fact it has also been shown to be beneficial to breathe in the scent of camomile, in the form of an essential oil.

Cinnamon nourishes the nervous system by calming the blood sugar levels, which is important because if you find yourself waking in the early hours of the morning it could be due to blood sugar spikes, which wake you up as they drop.

Ginger relaxes the stomach and is soothing for the body in general, and has a calming effect for people suffering with anxiety.

Liquorice has long been used by herbalists as a treatment for depression and anxiety, it is a tonic for the adrenal glands, as is passionfruit.

If you are experiencing difficulty sleeping it would be well worth experimenting with these remedies. They are easy to find in supermarkets, and at worst won’t make any difference, and at best could change your sleep patterns for ever!