A Seven Herb Formula to Aid Deep, Restorative and Easy Sleep*
Finally, a Formula from Lost Empire Herbs for this Critical Area of Health
We have lots of great herbs at Lost Empire Herbs but what we haven’t had is a sleep-specific formula that works on multiple levels to promote better, deeper, and more restful sleep.
So it is with great pleasure that I add this formula…at least to what we’re offering for our VIPs.
About Herbs and Sleep
Sleep is a complex topic. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. This is largely because there are many possible root causes as well as symptoms of sleep disruption.
Supplements and herbs will not make up for a lack of sleep hygiene in general. But in addition to lifestyle changes, they certainly can help and in some cases more than other methods.
As with all of our herbs, we invite you to TRY THIS and see if it works for you.
It might be a game-changer. It might just help a little bit. It might change your life.
You’ll never know until you give it a shot…
The Hypnotic Sedative Effect is Noticeable
One class of herbs is known as hypnotics or sometimes hypnotic sedatives. This comes from the Greek god of sleep, Hypnos. This is where the name hypnosis is also derived from, as hypnotic subjects resemble to a degree people being asleep.
The great thing about the hypnotics is that this may be the most FEELABLE class of herbs. When you take a dose, you aren’t likely to get knocked out, but you’ll likely feel the sedation they bring.
Different herbs work through different actions as will be discussed below. But many of them have:
- Alkaloids that relax the nervous system and the mind*
- Volatile oils that release psychological tension*
- Analgesics with pain-relieving and muscle relaxing properties*
Our new Sleep Formula contains the following seven herbs:
- Valerian 25%
- Passionflower 15%
- Albizia Bark 15%
- California Poppy 15%
- Kava 10%
- Skullcap 10%
- Mugwort 10%
Valerian – Reduces the amount of time to fall asleep *
A systematic review of valerian’s effects on sleep found that “the use of valerian was found to almost double the chance of sleeping better when compared with placebo.”*
Some studies in that meta-review also found the valerian lowered the amount of time it took to fall asleep.*
Not every study found positive results. The quality of each study could have been better, which is typically true of any sleep study. This is because it’s not the easiest thing to measure without being too invasive and there are many different aspects of sleep that can be analyzed.
Another systematic review included 36 randomized controlled trials. Of those looking at just Valerian, they found that 13 trials showed evidence that it helped with sleep, while 10 studies did not have significant findings.*
One of the main components is Valerenic Acid which acts on serotonin receptors.*
There was no noted “hangover effect,” that is feeling tired and groggy in the morning from valerian use. It’s found to be gentle without side effects.*
However, please note that for a small number of people, estimated as 1-3%, Valerian has a paradoxical effect, keeping people awake.
Passionflower – Increases overall sleep time *
Passiflora incarnata has long been used in European and North American herbalism. Historically, it has been noted for its analgesic, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, and sedative qualities.*
There is limited clinical research on the use of Passionflower for its sleep effects. One study on rats found reduced locomotor activity and thus increased sleep time.*
Another study in rodents and humans found that a different Passionflower species similarly increased sleep time.*
Preliminary research shows the Passionflower modulates the GABA system, which is important for sleep, anxiety, and more.* It is even used to assist in opiate withdrawal in some areas.*
Albizia – Improves mood & reduces anxious thinking *
Albizia is the only herb in this formula that we currently sell as a standalone powdered extract. It is quite popular though some people complain about its fiery taste. You can read more about that here.
This is considered a strong Shen herb in Chinese medicine. It is known as the Tree of Happiness. This tincture contains only the bark of the Albizia julibrissin tree.
There is only preliminary research around this herb. One compound inside SAG has been shown to have anxiety-reducing effects in rats, acting on the HPA axis.*
California Poppy – Reduces aches, nerves, and irritations *
Eschscholzia californica is a beautiful orange flower that grows in California. It gets its name due to a similar use to the opium poppy, being in the same family Papaverceae. However, the alkaloids it contains functions at a much lesser degree, with no potential for abuse.*
California Poppy alkaloids function on GABA receptors, specifically GABA-A.*
This flower also contains berberine, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant molecule known for neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects.*
Kava – Helps to relax muscles and lower anxiety *
Kava has been shown to assist in lowering anxiety in some studies.*
It works through modulation of GABA activity as well as MAOB inhibition. Dopamine and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibition.*
It helps to relax the muscles.* This effect will be minor in this tincture as compared to drinking bowls of prepared kava as it’s done traditionally, but it will still be there.
Skullcap – Calms the body and reduces tension *
Scutellaria lateriflora is known as skull cap because consuming a large amount can give you a feeling of a heavy cap weighting down your skull.* This is especially true in tea-form, but many of the same effects come through in the tincture as well.
One small randomized controlled trial found Skullcap to have quick effects on anxiety and tension.* This may be because of GABA receptor activity.*
Mugwort – Promotes sleep quality and dreaming *
Artemisia vulgaris was known as the “mother of herbs” in the Middle Ages. It is rich in essential oils, flavonoids, and sesquiterpenoid lactones. It has long been used in Chinese, Indian and European medicine.
Mugwort is warming and drying. While there is some traditional use of Mugwort for insomnia and stress, it is included in this formula for its effects on dreams.* Mugwort is known as a dreaming plant.*
Many people in the West almost never remember dreams anymore! Indigenous peoples often consider this a sign of pathology. At the very least we can look at dreams as an indicator of sleep quality and the vital force being active. And mugwort has a long reputation of helping here.
The Synergy of Seven Herbs
Any one of these herbs alone could be great. But combining them together can produce some synergistic effects.*
As one review to look at many of these herbs found that they had different actions across GABA, an important neurotransmitter used in sleep and staying calm.*
- Valerian – Increased binding and decreased degradation of GABA*
- Passionflower – GABA-system mediated anxiolysis*
- California Poppy – Binding affinity with GABA receptors*
- Kava – GABA channel modulation plus weak GABA binding*
- Skullcap – Posited GABA-α binding affinity*
And that’s just looking at a single mechanism of action.
Once again, this formula could be exactly what helps…or it could not help at all. The only way to find out is to give it a try.
A Secondary Use – Getting Grounded and Sedating Anxiety
Although we’re focusing this formula on sleep, you could see that many of these herbs can help around different facets of anxiety. (And obviously, anxiety can play a role in insomnia itself.)
Some people may find that this formula is helpful to use throughout their day to stay calm and grounded.*
That hypnotic quality can come in useful more than just when going off to bed.
What People Are Saying…
Handing this out to a few people with sleep issues to try we received the following feedback:
I’ve always struggled with getting sound sleep. Most nights I am lucky to get even a few hours of deep, uninterrupted sleep before my 4:30 rise time. I decided to give the sleep tincture a shot, within a few days I was sleeping through the night, waking up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. I have continued to take this tincture nightly with continued success. Grateful for this tincture and how good it works for me. – Matt Torrey
“I really feel like the sleep tincture is helping.” – Shelby Larson
Quality and Processing
Most ingredients are organic. This includes Valerian, Passionflower, Skullcap, California Poppy and Mugwort.
The Kava and Albizia are wildcrafted, thus not certified organic, but grown in natural conditions.
The Valerian root (Valeriana wallichii or Valeriana jatamansi) is sourced from India. The Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is sourced from Italy. The Kava root (Piper methysticum) is sourced from Vanuatu. The Skullcap leaves (Scutellaria lateriflora) are sourced from the USA. The Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) and California Poppy aerial parts (Eschscholzia californica) are sourced from Croatia. The Albizia bark (Albizia julibrissin) is sourced from China.
These are each individually tinctured for over six weeks in a menstruum made with:
- Organic Cane Alcohol 40% ABV
- Filtered Fresh Spring Water
After pressing the ingredients, they’re calcined and ground down into a fine white powder, then further extracted with distilled water and a gentle evaporation process until crystals are formed. These purified “salts” are added back into the tincture to finish the spagyric process.
Each spagyric tincture is then mixed according to the ratios mentioned near the top of this page listed above.
The taste is pungent and sour primarily. Not bad, but not great either.
Recommended Dosage
We recommend starting with a squirt before bedtime. You may modify up and down as you best see fit.
Some people may get by with just a few drops. Some people may want to try two to four full droppers. (Obviously, the latter will make a bottle not last very long.)
Unfortunately, Kava is Banned in Certain Countries…Maybe
There seem to be banned in several countries regarding Kava. The law is not clear on this. Thus, we will ship to all countries we normally do so. However, if this is refused in customs we may need to add countries we can’t ship this one too.
At this time there may or may not be problems with:
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- France
- Germany
- Poland
- Australia
Contraindications
As mentioned, Valerian has a paradoxical stimulating effect to about 1-3% of people that take it. If this is you, discontinue use as a sleep aid, as happened for the following customer.
“I’ve been plagued by periods of intense insomnia my whole adult life. My usual response is taking 12.5mg of Ambien CR for several nights to break the cycle. I’m on a quest to eliminate the use of as many prescription drugs as I can. I had hoped this would at least lessen the intensity of my current insomnia spree. Alas, it seems to have the exact opposite of the desired effect for me. Four hours after taking it I’m feeling wired to the hilt – like grinding-my-teeth wired. This one will be immediately retired. Tomorrow it’s back to the Ambien, but I’ll continue looking for something natural that can alleviate some of the insomnia pain.” – Johnny
There is some concern with Kava and liver toxicity. However, a search of the literature shows that these are overblown. Kava is one of seven ingredients in this formula, the amount is far too small to have ill effects.
Mugwort is not recommended in pregnant women as it can induce labor. The amount here is probably too small for these effects, but better to be on the safe side.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.