PRIMER ON PHYTOTHERAPY AS A STRATEGY FOR PROMOTING SLEEP QUALITY: APPROACHES FOR REGULATING THE CIRCADIAN CYCLE AND IMPROVING WELL-BEING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev8n2-051Keywords:
Insomnia, Sleep Quality, Herbal Medicine, Medicinal Plants and Integrative HealthAbstract
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders in society and is associated with significant consequences for physical and mental health, including difficulty maintaining attention, reduced response speed, impaired memory and concentration, and increased pain perception. In addition, it compromises overall performance and the ability to perform daily tasks, leading to increased use of health services and reduced life expectancy. The American Heart Association and the National Sleep Foundation recommend quality sleep, between 7 and 8 hours per night, as essential for physical and mental health. Insomnia, therefore, not only reduces quality of life, but also increases the risk of chronic diseases, such as obesity. Individuals deprived of quality sleep are more likely to develop obesity and related metabolic diseases. This study examined herbal medicine as a strategy to improve sleep quality, focusing on the use of medicinal plants in the form of tea, which have anxiolytic properties. Plants such as chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), lemon balm or melissa (Melissa officinalis), mulungu (Erythrina mulungu), and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) are widely known for their benefits in relaxation and promoting more peaceful sleep. Herbal medicine, therefore, emerges as a valuable, low-risk alternative in combating insomnia and anxiety, with the potential to minimize side effects compared to conventional medications. A literature review of scientific studies and specialized sources on the therapeutic properties of these plants, recommended dosages, and potential adverse effects was conducted to develop an explanatory booklet with practical guidelines for healthcare professionals, offering safe guidance on the use of herbal teas to improve sleep quality. Herbal medicine is an accessible and low-risk approach with the potential to complement conventional treatments and offer an integrative and humanized alternative for the management of sleep disorders. This work shows the importance of valuing traditional practices, as well as their use in the Unified Health System (SUS), aligning with the principles of the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC) and promoting a more holistic approach to healthcare focused on patient well-being.
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