Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes one or more pauses in breathing while you sleep. These pauses can occur in quick succession, occurring five to 30 times or more per hour, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. If left untreated, sleep apnea may increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity and diabetes. You may also develop irregular heartbeats or worsen heart failure. Although you will need to speak to your physician regarding treatment, you may also use natural herbs and remedies to aid you, but you should always consult your doctor before doing so, as the efficacy of these remedies is not documented by scientific data.
Valerian
Valerian root may help to relieve sleep apnea in doses of 50 mg to 100 mg, one hour prior to sleep, according to Phyllis Balch in her book "Prescription for Herbal Healing." Valerian may also work in combination with other herbal sedatives, such as passionflower, to prolong sleep or lull sufferers to sleep more effectively. Valerian has a longs history as an herbal sedative for treating insomnia and sleep apnea, according to Tori Hudson in the book "Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine." Regularly taking valerian may increase the quality of sleep up to 33 percent for both men and women, Hudson says. You can either take valerian supplements in the recommended dosages or brew valerian as a tea.
Ginger, Honey and Cinnamon Tea
Both ginger and cinnamon have sedative qualities when used in tandem. Dr. James A. Duke says in the 2001 article "Health in Balance" in "Silent Night," that drinking this tea at bedtime each night can help to improve sleep for those suffering from insomnia, sleep apnea and snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea is especially troublesome as it can quickly wake you up or cause you to cease breathing altogether. To avoid such occurrences, you should opt for sleeping on your side to garner the sedative and sleep-enhancing benefits of this tea. To make this tea, simply grate fresh ginger and cinnamon and add it to a cup of hot water. Add a small amount of honey and drink it an hour prior to sleep.
Chamomile
The most widely used natural sleep aid is chamomile, according to Dian Buchman in the book "The Complete Guide to Natural Sleep." Both chamomile tea and chamomile essential oil provide aromatic and sedative activity. Chamomile also has a natural anti-inflammatory effect, which is beneficial for those with enlarged tonsils or soft tissues -- such as in the nasal cavity -- that can cause pauses in breathing, according to Duke. You can brew chamomile tea and add valerian or catnip to encourage a high-quality sleep.
References
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Sleep Apnea
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2002
- "Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Tori Hudson; 2007
- "Better Nutrition"; Silent Night; Patti Woods-Lavoie; August 2001
- "The Complete Guide to Natural Sleep"; Dian Buchman; 1995
