Benefits of Lavender

Benefits of Lavender 

Lavender is one of my most favourite herbs. There is a reason it is included in many sleep and relaxing products found in today society.   

Have you ever suffered with a sleep disorder; can you relate to how debilitating it is to survive on very little sleep? Or are you suffering the dreaded impacts of perimenopause on your sleep?  

My name is Candice, founder to Mother cuppa.  

During the first lockdown I developed night time anxiety. This is not something I have spoken openly about before but it is something I found hugely traumatic. I didn’t sleep through the night for 6 months. This eventually lead to burnout. We lost our family business over night. The weight of the responsibility to my staff and the costs to keep the company standing still played heavy on my mind.  

It started with stress, waking up very early in the morning with things spinning around my mind. This then developed into waking in the wee hours of the morning with a crushing feeling of overwhelm and things on my mind. The next stage was it developed into full blown panic attacks in my sleep. Waking to feeling like I couldn’t breathe that I was having a heart attack. It was ever so frightening.  

I could go to bed and fall asleep very easily but it was fitful sleep, and then it wouldn’t last. As someone who is interested in avoiding medication, I tried all sorts and really played around with the herbal teas I was taking, cut out alcohol, tried yoga, running, mediation, talking therapy, brain dumps in a journal. Eventually I did seek medical support, I requested medication that was non addictive, that would allow me to function. I was given something that I could take as an when needed. And after several good night's sleep, I was able to use my experiences with my herbal teas to improve my sleep.  

I have now spent the last two years tweaking my daily routines, I never want to be in that position again so I am very aware and mindful of the signs. I still suffer with days of overwhelm and anxiety but I now know how to recognise that and nip it in the bud. 

I blended a tea during this phase of my life which became my absolute go to when I needed a sense of calm and peace in my life and in most instances, it helped to induce sleep in me once again.  

Within my relax blend is one very powerful plant and here I discuss the reasons why.  

The Benefits of Lavender on Menopausal Symptoms  

Studies have shown that lavender has many beneficial effects on menopausal women. For starters, it can reduce anxiety by up to 50%. This means that a cup of herbal tea infused with lavender can make those sudden waves of anxiety less intense and uncomfortable. It also helps to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression that often come with hormonal changes during menopause. 

Lavender works as an anxiolytic (an anxiety reliever) and as a sedative, to increase relaxation and calm, and help bring about sleep. Lavender interacts with the neurotransmitter GABA to help quiet the brain and nervous system activity, reducing agitation, anger, aggression, and restlessness. Lavender also lowers the heart rate and reduces anxiety. 

Additionally, it can improve sleep quality which plays an important role in keeping stress levels low. Herbal Tea with Lavender In order to get the most out of lavender's benefits for menopause symptoms, we recommend incorporating it into your daily routine. An easy way to do this is by drinking an herbal tea blend with lavender as one of its main ingredients twice per day - one cup in the morning and one at night before bedtime. Not only will this help to relax your mind and body but it will also keep you hydrated which is crucial when going through changes in hormones. Try adding honey or lemon juice for additional flavor if desired!  

In conclusion, lavender is an excellent herb for helping with menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, anxiety, depression, and poor quality sleep. Incorporating herbal tea made with lavender into your everyday routine is an easy way to gain its therapeutic benefits without having to spend too much time or energy preparing it yourself. So go ahead and give it a try - you just might find some much-needed relief from the troublesome effects of menopause!