Herbal remedies for insomnia are becoming increasingly popular, as they do not have the side effects of some prescription medications. Insomnia is the inability to go to sleep or stay asleep for a full night’s rest.
People who suffer from insomnia either go to bed and fall asleep initially, waking in the early hours, or they are not be able to get to sleep until the early hours. Either way, it is a very debilitating problem. Although it can be treated with drugs, insomnia herbal remedies are often more advisable.
Herbal Remedies For Insomnia
- California poppy is said to be the non-addictive alternative to the opium poppy and far less powerful. It is used as a sedative and relaxant.
- A pillow filled with hops is an old folk remedy for sleeplessness. The calming effects are caused by certain chemical properties. As the hops is exposed to light and air, it begins to lose potency and needs to be replaced.
- Another herbal insomnia remedy is kava. Kava is an ancient crop of the Western Pacific and has the potential for addiction. Kava causes mild euphoria and relaxation and gives a deep dreamless sleep, which is often very restful, and the user wakes up relaxed and invigorated.
- Lemon balm has been used since as long ago as the Middle Ages to promote sleep. Nowadays it tends to be combined with other herbs such as chamomile, valerian, or hops to help with relaxation.
- Passion flower is a calming herb and aids sleep when taken before bed. It contains many potent chemicals and may interact with other drugs, so it should be used with care.
- St. John’s wort or hypericum is used to treat more than 50% of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. (Serenite-LT by Native Remedies contains St. John’s wort as well as other natural ingredients for healthy, restful sleep long term.)
- American skullcap has been used in the past to treat insomnia. In present times, however, it is more likely to be used in conjunction with other herbs.
- Valerian is one of the most popular herbal remedies for insomnia. The herb has been subjected to limited trials, but it has been shown to be less effective than prescription sleep medications. However, patients taking valerian are less likely to suffer from the hung-over effect that sleeping tablets tend to cause, and there is less chance of the insomnia getting worse when treatment is stopped.
- Oat straw works inside the body, particularly the nervous system, to bring about relaxation and nourish the brain.
- Lavender is one of the most well known herbs for insomnia and can be used in different ways to aid sleep. The essential oil can be used for massage, which in itself helps promote relaxation. The dried flowers can either be used in a pillow or drunk in tea form to help cure insomnia.
- Melatonin is a naturally occurring compound that has been shown to have good results in treating insomnia in older adults and is available as a food supplement.
With such a wide choice of insomnia herbal remedies, there is something to suit everyone. I recommend Native Remedies Serenite-LT, which supports a healthy sleep cycle and regular deep, satisfying sleep.
HERBAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF REMEDIES