Herbal Sleep Remedies and Other Natural Solutions
Until recently talk of natural remedies was doubted, but as they have continued to prove themselves, natural remedies are no longer widely derided by the mainstream and many people who used to be sceptical are now converts. There are a number of herbal sleep remedies that can help you to get to sleep and will improve the quality of your sleep.
If you are struggling to sleep or wake up in the morning and do not feel as rested and rejuvenated as you should then you will be keen to do anything you can to get the quantity and quality of sleep that you need. Before you go rushing to the pharmacy with a prescription for sleeping pills, you should try some of the various herbal remedies that are available. These have been proven time and time again to work. Furthermore they are a healthier and more sustainable option than medicating yourself every night.
Valerian is a herb which has been used to help cure insomnia for many centuries. It is now sold as an over the counter remedy in many countries. While the science behind Valerian is not totally understood, they believe it may help calm the neurotransmitter GABA. Numerous people over many years have found it to be effective, and importantly safe.
Valerian is usually taken an hour before bed but it will only work after you have been taking it regularly for around 2-3 weeks so you need to be patient. It shouldn’t be taken with alcohol or by anyone with liver disease.
Melatonin is another popular sleep cure. It is especially popular with people who have had their sleep-wake cycle disturbed, like long haul travellers and shift workers. Melatonin is a sleep hormone that is found naturally in the body. It starts off as serotonin and then is converted to Melatonin as it becomes dark.
You take Melatonin around 30 minutes before bed and the effects are usually fairly instant. It should not be taken by people who have depression or are schizophrenic. Nor should it be used for more than around 3 months at a time.
The Pacific root Kava is an anti-anxiety herb that has become popular as a means for treating anxiety related insomnia. It can be bought from speciality stores and has few side effects or limitations. It is widely drunk around the Pacific as a social drug.
There are a number of herbal sleep remedies that people can use instead of taking sleeping pills:
- Valerian is an old herbal remedy that has been used for centuries.
- Melatonin is actually a sleep hormone found naturally in the body and should be taken by people whose sleep cycle has been broken.
- Kava is an anti-anxiety herb used in the Pacific and helps with certain types of insomnia.
If you are struggling to get to sleep or wake feeling tired then you might like to consider trying a herbal remedy before you start taking sleeping pills as they are a healthy and effective way to get a good night's sleep. However before doing so always seek advice from a medical professional.
