Have you been sleeping at wee hours of the night or have you been an insomniac since quite some time? Considering such fast paced lives that we lead nowadays, stress and anxiety are common problems, which lead to insomnia and other sleeping disorders. You may have tried various ways to try to relief your hyperactive mind, but in vain. Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine that is based on the tenet of balance in our bodily systems, suggests some herbs that should be consumed in order to attain sound sleep.

According to Ayurveda, when we have excess Vata and our minds are active with too many thoughts, it becomes impossible for us to relax. So, it is imperative to relieve the stress from our brains, which eventually will help in inducing sleep.

Here are some sleep inducing Ayurvedic herbs that will not only help you get sound sleep, but will also relieve excessive stress and anxiety that causes various sleep disorders.

1. Brahmi

Brahmi or Bacopa is one such herb that supports a restful sleep, calms emotional turbulence and also helps improve concentration and alertness. Brahmi, in Ayurveda, is called brain tonic, and is known for curing digestion problems. It also improves blood circulation, further supporting the body's natural healing process.

2. Shankhpushpi

Shankhpushpi is a herb that contains flavonoids, glycosides and alkaloids that help soothe your nervous system by bringing relief to mental fatigue. It acts as a natural tranquilliser for anxiety neurosis that further helps in sleeping better.

3. Vacha

Vacha has calmative effects on your brain, helping you to cure tension and insomnia. It acts as a coolant that relaxes the nerves thereby inducing sleep. Scientifically known as Acorus Calamus, this herb is a nervous system tonic that will ward off stress and various other issues.

4. Sarpgandha

Also known as Rauwolfia Serpentina or Indian Snakeroot, Sarpgandha contains more than 50 alkaloids in it. These alkaloids help in reducing high blood pressure or hypertension that can cause sleeping issues.

5. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is known to promote sound sleep. Researchers have found an active compound known as triethylene glycol, which works wonders to induce sleep. Ashwagandha treats people from their daily woes such as anxiety, stress and exhaustion.

6. Jatamasi

Jatamasi is a natural brain tonic and a memory enhancer; also facilitates calmness and relaxation to a hyperactive mind. It helps in inducing sound sleep while rejuvenating and nourishing the nervous system.

Switch to these herbs only after referring to a physician or a doctor in case of severe disorders.

Ageing is an inevitable; it involves the changes in a person with physical, psychological, mental and social change. Wrinkled skin, greying hair and macular degeneration are a few symptoms of ageing. While one cannot avoid these changes, but can definitely delay them through medications, natural kitchen ingredients or Ayurvedic herbs. Ayurveda is known to be the art of daily living in harmony and laws of nature. It is an ancient natural wisdom of health and healing. Ayurvedic treatment for an ailment is focused on three doshas of a person - vata dosha, kapha dosha and pitta dosha. It believes in maintaining a perfect balance among these three aspects, which is the secret to staying youthful and healthy.The process of degenerating cells as you grow old is known as ageing. Ayurveda suggests herbs that can help reduce the symptoms of ageing by regenerating body cells. Most of the herbs have various antioxidants that inhibit the growth of cell damaging free radicals in the body. According to Ayurveda expert from NirogStreet, Ram N Kumar, "Rasayana (rejuvenation) branch of Ayurveda specifically deals with ageing and its effects. As ageing is a degenerative and palliative phase and process, Rasayana checks its pace and impact substantially, resulting in slow down. Rasayana treatment is advised to people who are 35 years old and more."

Here are some of the herbs suggested by Ram N Kumar that you can include in your diet in order to delay ageing.

1. Guduchi

Guduchi, or Giloy, is known to revive our skin tissues and resolve inflamed skin conditions by its anti-inflammatory properties. Guduchi is responsible for promoting mental clarity and enhance our immune system.

2. Guggulu

Guggulu is a powerful and potent herb that is derived from the flowering tree Mukul Myrrh. Its anti-inflammatory properties help in combating various diseases and inhibit the growth of free radicals in the body.

3. Brahmi

Brahmi, or Bacopa, is a memory enhancer, especially useful for those who may be suffering from age-related memory loss. It is believed to have refreshing effects on your brain.

4. Amalaki

Amalaki, or Amla, is an excellent source of Vitamin-C and antioxidants that help your body fight various diseases. Also, it helps you keep safe from age-related macular degeneration and Cataract.

5. Turmeric

The compound curcumin in Turmeric has shown to possess a powerful anti-ageing effect. It has anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that help keep diseases at bay.

6. Ginseng

Ginseng contains a lot of phytochemicals that help stimulate and activate skin's metabolism. These phytochemicals also help you get rid of free radicals that get accumulated when your skin is exposed to pollution and sunlight.

7. Gotu-kola

Gotu kola is rich in flavonoids with antioxidant activity that helps protect the skin and body making it an extremely essential anti-ageing herb.

8. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha helps in rapid cell regeneration and rejuvenation that in turn helps in delaying signs of ageing, especially pertaining to the skin.

Make sure you use these herbs under supervision of an Ayurvedic expert. Grow older, don't age!