Sleep is a state where the body has an opportunity to rest and rejuvenate itself. A good night's sleep is essential to optimal health. What is a good night's sleep? What is happening during sleep that is so essential to health? These are questions that are often asked and this article will help you to gain an understanding and help the answer these questions.
Most people find that about 8 hours of sleep each night is ideal. Of course, some people find that 7 hours are enough, while others find that 9 hours is ideal. If one does not get enough sleep, their immune system will be impaired. An impaired immune system can mean many things from more easily catching colds to slow recovery from even simple infections. This is, of course, a very significant issue for those with already impaired immune systems due to a variety of diseases, particularly chronic diseases.
There are a number of biological functions that occur while a person sleeps. For example this is a time when the liver does a significant amount of work to "clean" and "rejuvenate" the blood. And, a good night's sleep is essential for the basic rest needed for the physical body.
Throughout the day we work, play, and do a variety of physically challenging things that require us to rest. A good night's sleep gives our body an opportunity to rest and rejuvenate. When we can not sleep, sometimes we need a little help, and herbs can be a gentle and safe way to give us an effective rest, thus allowing our bodies to do what needs to be done to maintain good heath, or to heal. Interestingly, sometimes weakness and deficiencies can inhibit a good night's sleep.
There are many herbs in Chinese medicine that are well known to promote healthy sleep. Jujube seed is one of the most popular herbs used in Chinese medicine to relieve anxiety and promote healthy sleep. This herb is often combined with Oriental Arborvitae seed, also well known in Chinese medicine to promote sleep and relieve anxiety. These seeds are found in some classic Chinese formulas, which have been used for more than 1000 years, to promote sleep and reduce anxiety. Another herb in Chinese medicine that is well known to promote healthy sleep and relieve anxiety is Poria. This herb is frequently combined with the seeds mentioned above in formulas to relieve anxiety and promote sleep. The herbs Astragalus, Dang Quai, Rehmannia, and Ophiopogon are some of the most important herbs to strengthen the body. Astragalus is very well known and researched for its positive effects on the immune system and to strengthen qi. Dong Quai and Rehmannia are two of the most important herbs for strengthening the blood. Ophiopogon is well known for nourish the yin of the lungs and heart. As stated above, an interesting dichotomy related to the inability to sleep is that often a person is actually deficient and weak and the body is unable to rest due to this. By strengthening the body these herbs are able to help it to achieve a more restful and healthy sleep.
Two other herbs that are helpful for assisting the body with healthy sleep are Coptis and Chinese Skullcap. Both these herbs work to reduce inflammation, especially in the liver. In Chinese medicine, Coptis is said to "clear heat from the heart," and is often combined with Ophiopogon and Rehmannia as a clearing and nourishing combination to "settle the mind," thus relieving anxiety and encouraging sleep.
Good sleep is critical to optimum health and healing. These herbs can be extremely useful for this common problem.
Thomas Avery Garran is a Chinese medicine practitioner with 17 years of experience, a number of articles, and a book, "Western Herbs According Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Practitioners Guide" His blog is http://sourcepointherbs.blogspot.com and he is writing for the website, http://www.immuneenhance.com/products
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By Thomas Garran
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