Bhakti Paun Sharma
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Written By: Bhakti Paun Sharma | Updated : February 17, 2016 3:46 PM IST
Having sleepless nights? Try rose petals and see how they help you fall in deep slumber. Not being able to sleep well can be attributed to several reasons. Often, foods you eat before bedtime or some daily habit may be interfering with your sleep pattern. There is also a list of foods and herbs that can assist in sound sleep. Then there are the traditional home remedies like a glass of warm milk or a foot massage. All these aim to relax the body and mind so you can sleep better. Try these tricks if you are having trouble sleeping well. However, when all else fails, try rose petals!
How rose petals help induce sleep?
Rose petals have a similar effect. It has been traditionally used for peace and relaxation. It exhibits antidepressant, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, cleansing and hypnotic properties. The ethanolic, aqueous and chlorofomic extracts of the petals have a hypnotic effect. In in-vitro studies, it has shown effective results in inducing sleep comparable to diazepam which is a drug used to calm muscles and reduce anxiety. The ethyl acetate extracted from the rose petals has shown the best hypnotic effect. The flavonoids and anxiolytic compounds present in the flower induce sound sleep. In fact, it is an old wives tale that rose petals, if consumed before bedtime, can result in sweet dreams too.
How to use rose petals?
If you have fresh rose petals handy, inhale some steam with rose petals in boiling water just before going to bed. You can also sip some rose tea or add dried rose leaves to a glass of warm milk. Massaging rose essential oil on your forehead is also an excellent way to relax and will result in sound sleep.
Reference
Shafei, M. N., Saberi, Z., & Amini, S. (2011). Pharmacological effects of Rosa damascena. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 14(4), 295-307.
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