Herbal tea preparations have been traditionally used to remedy sleep disturbance formany years. Herbal plants such as valerian (Valeriana officinalis), kava kava (Piper methysticum), chamomile (Matricaria recuita), and passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), have long been used in sedative herbal teas. Although these herbs are widely added to commercial products with the prime purpose of remedying sleep, there is little or no scientific evidence for their efficacy. While such herbs are sold as teas, extracts and tablets, it is not clear whether herbal tea preparations contain any bioactive constituents that are effective beyond the relaxing effects of a warm beverage. This chapter describes the prevalence of mild sleep disturbance in the population, the lack of effective treatments that are readily available, and the therapeutic application of herbal medicines as alternatives or complements to pharmacological and psychological treatments. A review of the evidence regarding the effectiveness and potential side effects of sedative herbs, with an emphasis on Passiflora incarnata herbal tea, is then provided. Recent research suggests that Passiflora incarnata tea can promote better subjective sleep quality. Therefore, it seems that both widespread popular use and initial research evidence suggest that there is efficacy in the use of Passiflora incarnata herbal tea for treating mild fluctuations in sleep quality. Further scientific studies are needed to confirm recent findings, and to better understand the potential efficacy of Passiflora incarnata tea on the different aspects of sleep.
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