8 Herbal Remedies for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder that leads to shallow breathing or pauses in breath while sleeping. This leads to a disrupted sleep schedule and the results are often feeling exhausted throughout the day. The worst part about sleep apnea is those affected never realize that their sleep is being disrupted during the night and often experience the side effects during the day.



This is why many cases of sleep apnea can go undiagnosed even after visiting the doctor severally. One of the solutions to sleep apnea is the CPAP machine which assists in breathing at night when you have the disorder. Besides the machine, there are some herbal remedies you can use to combat the condition including:

-  Valerian root is a sedative that has been use for centuries now, especially in treating insomnia and sleep apnea. Valerian root can improve the quality of your sleep if you take it on a regular basis. It helps by relieving the symptoms of sleep apnea. Valerian root is commercially available in the form of capsules and can be used with other herbs like passionflower to promote prolonged sleep and reduce the fatigue that comes from not getting enough sleep at night.

-  The passionflower herb that can be used with valerian root triggers a relaxing effect and acts as a pain relief as well. There are various types of sleep apnea, one being central sleep apnea, which is a neurological disorder. The passionflower has a relaxing effect on the nervous system by acting as an anti-spasmodic agent and calming down the body muscles for better sleep.

-  Just like passionflower, chamomile is also a relaxant. Chamomile works great when the sleep apnea is due to sinus irritation as it contains soothing qualities that make it a great sleep promoter. It elevates nervousness and helps boost calmness among people with sleep apnea disorder. Medical grade chamomile can lead to considerable relief from the symptoms of sleep apnea in just two months.

-  Honey, ginger and cinnamon tea taken at bedtime can also have considerable effect in the symptoms of sleep apnea. Ginger and cinnamon tea help to improve quality of sleep. It is quite easy to prepare using freshly grated ginger and cinnamon in hot water and honey for taste.

-  Lemon balm tea is another tea that helps promote calming and relaxation for better sleep among sleep apnea patients. Lemon balm tea can also reduce anxiety and stress for a good night’s sleep. Simply take this minty fresh tea at bedtime and reap the benefits throughout the night.

-  Aromatherapy is a great herbal remedy for various disorders, sleep apnea being one of them. Aromatherapy uses essential oils to reduce any inflammation present in your sinuses that could lead to the sleep apnea. Some of the essential oils used include eucalyptus oil drops and lavender oil.

-  Another herb that dates back centuries in use in the Kava Kava from the pacific islands. Kava Kava is a common herb used in treating sleep apnea by promoting better sleep patterns and physical and mental relaxation. It also reduces the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep.

-  Finally, the American skullcap is an herb with sedative properties that can be taken along with passionflower too when suffering from sleep apnea. It helps ease anxiety and trigger calmness. However there is still more research to go into its effectiveness for treating sleep apnea.