Pretty Pea

Approximately 50% of the population will suffer from a sleep disorder over the course of their lifetime. 

Sleep not only affects our mood, but also regulates the efficiency of work done. Many complications arise due to inadequacy of sleep. The unhealthy food and lifestyle choices have made us more prone to sleep disorders.

Sleep is considered as one of the most important aspects for maintaining a healthy life. For a person to function normally, at least 6-8 hours of sleep daily is necessary.

The medications used for the treatment of sleep disorders are mainly habit forming and have tendencies of withdrawal symptoms. This inadequacy in medication has lead to search for newer, better options.

The field of nutraceuticals fits apt for treating such disorders. The quality of being non-toxic, non-habit forming, and being practically more efficient has had made it an excellent option. Nutraceuticals make use of food or part of food for the treatment or to prevent any disease.

Studies have found remarkable positive effects of nutraceuticals like Chamomile, Cherries and Lemon Balm being mentioned in the treatment of sleep disorders. 

Pretty Pea Sleep supplement supports a good nights’ sleep AND waking refreshed and energised the next morning.

Combining essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and traditionally used relaxation and sleep herbals, SLEEP+ can help improve the quality of your sleep and reduce daytime tiredness and fatigue too.

WHY WE NEED SLEEP

Sleep is a complex phenomenon constituted by two electro-physiologically and behaviourally different stages:

Non-REM or Slow wave sleep (SWS), and

Rapid eye movement (REM), or Paradoxical sleep

SWS is characterized by presenting a high voltage slow wave electroencephalographic pattern, while REM sleep exhibits a low voltage fast wave electroencephalographic pattern and ocular movements.

Both sleep phases can be disturbed both by external and internal factors; therefore affecting normal sleep patterns.

Mastering your sleep is vital to your health and wellbeing. The quality of your sleep not only affects your mood and energy levels but can even impact your body weight and stress levels too.

Sleep is more than just your body resting. It’s when your body gets to work repairing and rejuvenating your mind, body and soul.

Sleep is where:

Memories are made as your brain stores new information

Nerve cells communicate for healthy brain function

Your brain removes toxic waste that builds up throughout the day

Muscles are built and tissues repair (muscles aren’t made in the gym)

Your skin and cells repair and rejuvenates, we all know how tired and dull our skin looks after a bad nights sleep

Your body restores energy and releases hormones and proteins so your body can be at its best and in harmony

We each have a circadian rhythm with a natural sleep-wake cycle as our body’s internal clock and we have natural dips in alertness and wakefulness at certain times. Once you get used to going to bed and waking up at the same time each day your brain too adapts to this schedule.

It’s important to work with your circadian rhythm and your sleep and wake hormones. Hormone melatonin makes you sleepy and your body releases more of it at night. Your cortisol (stress) hormone can make you more alert and your body produces more of this in the morning.

Body temperature and metabolism are also part of your circadian rhythm. Your temperature drops when you sleep and rises when you are awake with your metabolism working at different rates throughout the day too.

HOW POOR SLEEP AFFECTS THE BODY

Insufficient and interrupted sleep patterns can contribute to:

Mood changes and emotional instability

Depression

Anxiety

Fatigue

Weakened Immune function

Weight gain, affecting hunger hormones

Weight loss resistance

Contains 60 vegan easy take capsules

Take 1 or 2 capsules with water in the evening

VITAMINS & MINERALS

Vitamins & Minerals to support the nervous system, psychological function and daytime energy levels include:

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5)

Vitamin B6

Biotin

Magnesium

Niacin (Vitamin B3) contributes to normal psychological function, energy-yielding metabolism, functioning of the nervous system, the maintenance of normal mucous membranes and maintenance of normal skin and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. 

Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, mental performance, synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters, and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. 

Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system, the regulation of hormonal activity, cysteine synthesis, energy-yielding metabolism, homocysteine metabolism, protein and glycogen metabolism and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. 

Biotin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, functioning of the nervous system, macronutrient metabolism, psychological function, hair & skin and the maintenance of normal mucous membranes. 

Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue, electrolyte balance, energy-yielding metabolism, functioning of the nervous system, muscle function, protein synthesis, psychological function, the maintenance of normal bones & teeth, and has a role in the process of cell division. 

A 2018 study found that dietary magnesium intake may have long-term benefits in reducing the likelihood of daytime falling asleep in women.

AMINO ACIDS

Sleep enhancing and relaxing amino acids include:

L-Taurine

L-Theanine

L-Taurine

Taurine – a conditional amino acid – is one of many naturally-occurring compounds in the body that, like melatonin, increases in response to prolonged periods of being awake.

Biochemically, taurine activates GABA(A) receptors in a brain region known to regulate sleep, and it is involved in the creation of the “sleep hormone” melatonin in the pineal gland.

L-Theanine

L-theanine is an amino acid that is found in tea leaves. It’s a well-known anti-anxiety supplement with proven relaxation benefits.

It can help to promote relaxation and facilitate sleep by contributing to a number of changes in the brain.

Studies suggest that L-Theanine is a safe natural sleep aid. It promotes relaxation without drowsiness. Unlike conventional sleep inducers, L-theanine is not a sedative but promotes good quality of sleep through anxiolysis.

L-Theanine has anxiolytic effects via the induction of α brain waves without other side effects associated with conventional sleep inducers. Anxiolysis is required for the initiation of high-quality sleep.

Studies show that L-theanine has the “potential to promote mental health in the general population with stress-related ailments and cognitive impairments“.

HERBAL INGREDIENTS

Montmorency Tart Cherry

Ashwagandha

Passion Flower

German Chamomile

Lemon Balm

Lavender 

Montmorency Tart Cherry

Recent studies indicate that tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) may have sleep-enhancing effects.

Tart cherries in particular are purported to have a number of beneficial health effects with some evidence supporting decreases in oxidative stress levels of inflammatory markers and muscle damage following exercise while enhancing muscle recovery.

Montmorency tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) contain several phytonutrients including the phenolic acids with anthocyanins.

Antioxidant rich Tart Montmorency cherries have been reported to contain high levels of phytochemicals including melatonin, a molecule critical in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. It has also been shown to increase tryptophan availability.

Studies have demonstrated that consumption can be beneficial in improving sleep duration and quality in healthy men and women and might be of benefit in managing disturbed sleep.

Ashwagandha

Traditionally prescribed for more than 5000 years as a nerve tonic and adaptogen, ashwagandha helps the body adapt to various emotional and physical stressors.

It is a highly effective remedy to help reduce stress and anxiety, by lowering cortisol levels and mimicking the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This compound lowers brain activity, which may help you to relax and sleep better.

Passion flower

Passion Floower (Passiflora incarnata) is a traditional herbal sedative, anxiolytic and a popular sleep aid used for the treatment of sleep disturbance. 

Extracts and fluid extracts from the aerial parts from Passiflora incarnata L. are widely used as components of herbal sedatives.

Many pharmacological investigations confirm the sedative effects of Passion Flower. Studies suggest passion flower helps boost GABA levels in the brain and helps relieve insomnia and anxiety.  

German chamomile

German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), is one of the most ancient medicinal herbs known to mankind. It is a member of Asteraceae /Compositae  family.

Widely regarded as a sleep-inducer, Chamomile is an incredibly popular relaxation herbal, with more than one million cups of Chamomile cups of tea consumed each day.

Chamomile has a reputation as a natural aid for sleep disorders and has been used for millennia in this capacity to induce sedation with calming effects.

Chamomile contains several compounds that might have therapeutic effects. Chamomile contains volatile oils, and many terpenoids and flavonoids contributing to its medicinal properties. It also contains Apigenin, a flavonoid which acts on the GABA receptors.

As one of the oldest, most widely used and well documented medicinal plants in the world its been used for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, mild astringent and healing medicine, with a variety of other healing applications including: hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, wounds, gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatic pain, and hemorrhoids and as a general uterine tonic in women. 

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm has been used in traditional medicine to improve mood, cognitive function, nervousness and ease restlessness, menstrual irregularities and sleep disorders.

Lemon balm is an oily extract of the leaves of Melissa officinalis. Current evidence suggests that lemon balm may be effective in improving anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Lavender

Traditionally used as sleep enhancer, lavender has also been studied for its positive effect in Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Lavender oil is mainly linalyl acetate (51%) and linalool (35%). Studies have shown that these compounds inhibit several neurotransmitters and have a sedative and pain-relieving effect.

Results may vary from person to person.

Store in a cool dry place, out of the reach of children.

Best before date: see base of container.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended daily intake. 

Supplements should not be used as a substitute for a balanced and varied diet and healthy lifestyle. 

Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements or changing your diet.

As with all supplements, if you feel unwell, stop taking this product immediately and seek medical advice

The Safety and Efficacy of Botanicals with Nootropic Effects – PMC (nih.gov)

Magnesium Intake and Sleep Disorder Symptoms: Findings from the Jiangsu Nutrition Study of Chinese Adults at Five-Year Follow-Up – PubMed (nih.gov)

Nutraceuticals for Sleep Disorders – PubMed (nih.gov)

Updates on Nutraceutical Sleep Therapeutics and Investigational Research (hindawi.com)

In Search of a Safe Natural Sleep Aid – PubMed (nih.gov)

Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial – PubMed (nih.gov)

GABA and l-theanine mixture decreases sleep latency and improves NREM sleep – PubMed (nih.gov)

Efficacy of a tart cherry juice blend in preventing the symptoms of muscle damage – PubMed (nih.gov)

Pilot Study of the Tart Cherry Juice for the Treatment of Insomnia and Investigation of Mechanisms – PubMed (nih.gov)

Tart cherry juice increases sleep time in older adults with insomnia (830.9) – Liu – 2014 – The FASEB Journal – Wiley Online Library

A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder – PubMed (nih.gov)

Lavender and the Nervous System – PMC (nih.gov)

Effects of lavender aroma on sleep quality in healthy Japanese students – PubMed (nih.gov)

A combination of valerian and lemon balm is effective in the treatment of restlessness and dyssomnia in children – ScienceDirect

Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future – PMC (nih.gov)

Herbal medicine for depression, anxiety and insomnia: A review of psychopharmacology and clinical evidence – ScienceDirect

Passionflower Extract Induces High-amplitude Rhythms without Phase Shifts in the Expression of Several Circadian Clock Genes in Vitro and in Vivo – PMC (nih.gov)

A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality – PubMed (nih.gov)

[Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata L.)–a reliable herbal sedative] – PubMed (nih.gov)

Effect of a medicinal plant (Passiflora incarnata L) on sleep – PMC (nih.gov)

Passionflower Extract Induces High-amplitude Rhythms without Phase Shifts in the Expression of Several Circadian Clock Genes in Vitro and in Vivo – PMC (nih.gov)

Lemon Balm – PubMed (nih.gov)

The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis – PubMed (nih.gov)

A randomised controlled trial of Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) and Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis) essential oils for the treatment of agitated behaviour in older people with and without dementia – PubMed (nih.gov)

Niacin related health claims | EFSA (europa.eu)

Niacin related health claims | EFSA (europa.eu)

Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to pantothenic acid and energy‐yielding metabolism (ID 56, 59, 60, 64, 171, 172, 208), mental performance (ID 57), maintenance of bone (ID 61), maintenance of teeth (ID 61), maintenance of hair (ID 61), maintenance of skin (ID 61), maintenance of nails (ID 61) and synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters (ID 181) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 – – 2009 – EFSA Journal – Wiley Online Library

Pantothenic acid related health claims | EFSA (europa.eu)

Vitamin B6 related health claims | EFSA (europa.eu)

Vitamin B6 related health claims | EFSA (europa.eu)

Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to biotin and energy‐yielding metabolism (ID 114, 117), macronutrient metabolism (ID 113, 114, 117), maintenance of skin and mucous membranes (ID 115), maintenance of hair (ID 118, 2876) and function of the nervous system (ID 116) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 – – 2009 – EFSA Journal – Wiley Online Library

Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to biotin and maintenance of normal skin and mucous membranes (ID 121), maintenance of normal hair (ID 121), maintenance of normal bone (ID 121), maintenance of normal teeth (ID 121), maintenance of normal nails (ID 121, 2877), reduction of tiredness and fatigue (ID 119), contribution to normal psychological functions (ID 120) and contribution to normal macronutrient metabolism (ID 4661) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 – – 2010 – EFSA Journal – Wiley Online Library

Magnesium related health claims | EFSA (europa.eu)

Magnesium related health claims | EFSA (europa.eu)