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Herbs For Insomnia, Do They Actually Work?

With all the horrifying publicity being released about sleeping pills like "Stilnox" (Ambien) more and more people are turning to herbs for insomnia. But do these herbal remedies really work?

Absolutely! claim the herbalists. Insomnia herbs have always worked and will continue to work for those who are interested in an holistic answer to their sleep problems.

Which ones will work best? There are many insomnia herbs available so it's a good idea to try one or two, either on their own or in a blend, to see which ones work best for you.

Following are some recommended insomnia herbs, some better known than others. All are effective for a range of sleep problems.

Chamomile ~ anthemis nobilis

Probably the best known of all the herbs for insomnia, chamomile has stood the test of time and has the added advantage of being very safe. Chamomile may be purchased as a tea, or some people prefer the chamomile essential oil which may be massaged into the skin or used in a bath.

Chamomile is used for insomnia, restlessness and irritability. It is safe for children. Suggested Dose: Tea, 1 cup 2-3 times daily. Oil should be diluted in a carrier oil for massage.

Lavender ~ lavandula officinalis

Lavender essential oil is one of the most useful oils and can be used to strengthen the nervous system. Add a few drops of lavender oil to a bath before bed to prevent insomnia. Lavender oil may be used as a massage oil or simply inhaled. Hops ~ humulus lupulus

Not just for making beer! Hops have been used as a sedative for over 100 years. Hops has a mild sedative action and are also useful for anxiety, stress & nervousness. Hops are often sold combined with other herbs such as valerian as a herbal sedative. Hops pillows are sometimes used for mild insomnia.

Valerian ~ valeriana officinalis

Usually drunk as a tea, valerian is a well known herbal sedative. Used mainly for insomnia, nervousness, and restlessness particularly for those who have a hard time falling asleep. It also reduces night-time waking. Valerian is one of the better known herbs for insomnia which is similar in action to Valium without the side effects. Valerian is often combined with other insomnia herbs, such as passionflower, skullcap, hops and California poppy.

Valerian can be used as a tea or as a supplement from your health food store.

Passion flower ~ passiflora incarnata

Passion flower works by depressing the nervous system making it useful as a herbal anti anxiety and insomnia medication. Passion flower is an important herb for insomnia especially when caused by worry, nervous exhaustion or work burnout. Passion flower seems to have no side effects and is suitable for children. St Johns Wort ~ hypericum perforatum New scientific studies show that St John's Wort can help relieve chronic insomnia and even mild depression when these disorders are related to imbalances in brain chemistry. Avoid direct skin exposure to bright sunlight when taking St John's Wort as it can increase your sensitivity to UV rays.

Allow a couple of weeks at least for the full benefits to be felt.

Kava kava ~ piper methysticum

Kava is used as a pain reliever as well as a mild sedative. Kava is the national drink of Fiji and is popular throughout the Pacific region. It has a slight narcotic action, relaxes the body, and is said to enhance sleep and dreaming. Kava is thought to be as effective as Valium when used to treat anxiety.

Don't drink Kava before driving.

Herbs for insomnia work by correcting imbalances in the body rather than adding ingredients that cross the blood/brain barrier. They may not be as "instant" as chemical sleeping drugs, but have the advantage of not losing their effect over the long term.

Herbal remedies are totally non-addictive You'll never develop a chemical dependency to any insomnia herb.

Want to know how to improve your sleep? Visit http://www.insomnia-connection.com/insomnia-articles.html for a large range of articles and sound advice on all sleep related matters. Wendy Owen, HH Dip (Holistic Health Therapy) is a natural health researcher and author.

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