Age related sleep disruption and fragmentation are common in elderly populations and the amount of time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep naturally declines with age. REM sleep is important for memory consolidation and this decline in REM may underlie aging-related cognitive decline. Many clinical conditions related to aging are the result of oxidative stress, and enhancing REM sleep has been found to have antioxidant effects. The application of extracts from the plant Centella asiatica reverses the effects of oxidative stress in rat, fruit fly, and sleep-deprived mouse models, however, little is known about how this substance affects sleep patterns in aged mice.