Sleep is something millions of Americans desperately need but have trouble getting enough of.
Most of us don't get nearly the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep. In fact, one in five people in the United States experience a form of sleeping disorder or sleep deprivation, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
As someone who spent the last couple of years suffering from insomnia, I tried everything from sleeping pills to quitting coffee, and taking up medication, but everything only seems to work temporarily before I go back to square one. It seems like the more I toss and turn, the more my brain stays awake until the sun rises again. It's something I wish to never experience again.
This is why I was beyond the moon when I came across this natural remedy: banana tea.
Most of us already know that bananas and their peels are full of potassium, but did you know they are loaded with magnesium too? Magnesium is a mineral that regulates the body's circadian rhythm, which controls how we fall asleep and wake up.
Since the banana peel has higher levels of these minerals, we should be eating too, but of course, that's not something we're accustomed to so we throw it away. However, there's another way for you to reap the benefits without having to chew on the tough skin.
If your sleeping patterns have been out of whack, you could benefit from drinking banana tea, which only takes minutes to make with ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
Not only will this concoction improve your slumber, you'll notice that unlike sleeping pills, it won't leave you feeling awful the next day.
Many people with sleep problems end up taking melatonin supplements and other types of sleeping pills, such as Ambien, to fight the insomnia so they can function during the day. However, as with all medication, there are some unpleasant side effects that come with taking such pills, including nausea, dizziness, anxiety, and ironically, fatigue. People also become too dependent on these pills, and end up developing an addiction.
This recipe from Dr. Oz calls for 100% organic bananas, so you wouldn't have to worry about harmful pesticides and chemicals that lurk on the skin of the fruit.
It is recommended that you drink the tea an hour before bed so you can get the most out of it.
Here's how you can make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 organic banana
- 1 small pot of water (enough for a regular-sized mug)
- A dash of cinnamon
Directions:
1. Bring the pot of water to boil
2. Cut both ends of the banana off, then place the rest of the unpeeled fruit into the boiling water
3. Boil it for about 10 minutes, then using a strainer or colander, pour the liquid into a mug.
4. Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon into the tea and enjoy.
Dr. Oz even suggests adding cinnamon to the boiled banana and peels and eating it along with the tea if you're feeling a bit adventurous.
The jury is in - a lot of people are trying it and it looks like it's working!
Cheers to a good night's sleep!
Will you be making this tea? Let us know in the comments!