I transformed my sleep naturally with herbal powder slashed to 42p per sachet in Amazon Prime Day sale
From anxiety and insomnia to general restlessness, daily worries and inflammatory conditions, there are plenty of reasons why a good night's sleep doesn't always come easy and I set out to find ways to naturally tackle these issues this National Sleep Week.
Mission Sleep Power, £15 £12.73
With so many sleep aids available on the market, finding holistic sleep remedies can seem like a thankless task.
Whether you want to know how to improve sleep, how to get better quality sleep or how to fall asleep faster, Mission, an athlete-endorsed natural energy brand, claims to have the answer.
Mission products are currently included in the Amazon Prime Day sale
The company claims to have "fuelled hundreds of professional athletes" including premier league footballers, Formula One drivers and England Rugby players, using a range of "performance teas".
I have trouble sleeping, so I was intrigued by the Sleep Powder, a blend of ingredients such as Turmeric, Rooibos and Lavender, which aims to tackle all sleep queries in one powerful sachet.
Labelled as Sunday Times Best Natural Supplement for Sleep 2023, and having already amassed over 100,000 happy customers, I tested out the sleepy sachet myself to try and ward off my sleep troubles,
Spoiler alert: it didn't let me down.
Mission Sleep Power, £15 £12.73
BUY HERE
Pros:
Natural remedy, no risk of addiction
Holistic sleep remedy
Easy to use
No overpowering taste
Good value for money 30 sachets for £19 (working out at £1.60 per sachet)
Suitable for all ages
Soothing, gentle effect
Cons:
Acquired taste
Rating: 4.5/5
Mission review: quick summary
Initially sceptical about holistic sleep remedies in general, let alone the power of a small sachet of herbs and natural ingredients, I was shocked at the efficacy of this tea.
I wasn't sure how a natural blend of powders could help me get better quality sleep and fall asleep faster, but it did both.
The aroma of the drink, which can be whisked into milk for a latte-style drink or dissolved into hot water (my chosen method) is the first sleep-inducing step.
The turmeric works with the lavender to create a heady scent, and this is no coincidence — with Mission providing scientific backing at every step.
Mission review: full review
Mission's ingredients
Mission's selected ingredients are no coincidence; all herbs involved play particular roles in tackling different sleep disturbances, from inflammation to anxiety to stress hormones.
The brand has left no stone unturned with its meticulous combinations of science-backed ingredients — for example, blending turmeric with black pepper for increased absorption.
Lavender
Lavender's natural properties mean that it's suitable for alleviating anxiety and inducing a state of relaxation as a natural, mild sedative.
Mission's research studies have found that it can also help with insomnia.
Independent scientific research, like this review in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine, has found that it may be of "small to moderate benefit" in tackling insomnia, and that "early results appear promising".
Turmeric
Nature's anti-inflammatory, turmeric has pain relief properties which can help to alleviate pain-related sleep disturbances.
That's down to a bioactive compound called curcumin, which targets molecules that play a role in pain and inflammation.
Rooibos
Rooibos is a naturally caffeine-free tea and has multiple benefits.
Studies have found that it may reduce the production of cortisol, the body's stress hormone, and it's also used for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Inflammation is another common cause of bad sleep, and insufficient sleep causes a build-up of inflammation, creating a vicious circle.
Ginkgo Biloba
Like Rooibos, Ginkgo Biloba tackles stress hormone release.
There are also studies that suggest it may lower waking time through the night, thanks to its high flavonoid content (although scientists admit more robust trials are required to confirm these effects).
How Mission's Sleep Tea helped me to fall asleep faster and get a deeper sleep
I would recommend taking time to slowly sip on the sleepy sachet, as breathing in the herby steam allowed me to settle and start to take in those feelings of calm. It's a little bit like aromatherapy.
I went to bed within an hour of drinking the tea and this decision was mostly based on feeling a need to close my eyes and rest, brought on by the tea.
Usually, I sit up and watch something or potter about doing my skincare before tossing and turning for a while with a range of worries or songs going around in my head, but I noticed a state of calm and a need to sleep.
Mission Sleep Power, £15 £12.73
BUY HERE
After putting this into practice over a fortnight, and recognising the same pattern every night, I saw an improvement in the quality of my sleep and managed to fall asleep, stay asleep and feel generally more rested every morning when I woke up.
My only qualm with the tea is it may be an acquired taste as turmeric and lavender are the most prominent flavours.
However, if blended with milk as is recommended, the sweetness of the milk tends to neutralise the flavour.
The verdict
Overall, Mission's Sleep Powder changed my opinion on natural sleep remedies and sleep teas, and I have recommended the product to my Mum and Nan who both have age-related sleep issues (which Mission's ingredients are designed to tackle scientifically).
How expensive is the Mission Sleep Powder?
Sun readers can currently get 25% off the sleepy sachets with the code SUNSLEEP - bringing the 30-sachet packet down to £14.25.
Mission's Sleep Powder would usually set you back £19 for 30 sachets if bought as a single purchase. However, you can subscribe and save 20%, bringing the sachets down to £15.20 with a delivery every four weeks.
I would recommend trialling the tea as a single purchase to see if it works for you and then subscribing to the four-week subscription.
If you choose to subscribe to Mission, you will also get a free glass jar where you can aesthetically store your sleepy sachets.
The Sleep Powder is also available as a loose powder which is £17 for a single purchase or £13.60 with a subscription.
Where to buy Mission products
Mission products can be bought directly from the company's website or can also be found at Holland and Barrett, Pow Food, Healf and Amazon.
What other products does Mission stock?
Mission stocks a range of teas with multiple celebrities endorsing the brand from GB Triathlete Harry Leleu to ex-England Rugby champ George Kruis.
BUY HERE
Its products help to tackle energy usage with a more sustainable release of energy from natural ingredients which don't cause the usual crashes of caffeine and high-sugar content products.
Its range of teas include:
Energise: A natural coffee replacement for sustained energy usage
Perform: For a sustained athletic performance to replace high sugar acting as a natural pre and post-workout
Hydrate: To be taken before or during a workout, or anytime for a hydration boost, delivering sustained energy and enhanced cognitive function
Focus: Focus is crafted to enhance mental clarity and productivity, providing long-lasting results without any crash
Recovery: Rooibos tea and other ingredients protect tissue from injuries and support relaxation
All of the above can also be consumed hot or cold, with some of the tea bags being able to be used three times.
What are the reasons for poor sleep - whether that's quality or staying asleep?
Insomnia
Anxiety
Inflammation
Hormonal issues
Menopause
Age
Caffeine intake
Find out more about how to get a better night's sleep with our mattress, mattress protectors and other bed-related reviews here.
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