about insomnia

Hops are the fruit of a member of the cannabis family native to North America, Asia, and Europe. Widely grown in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, hops are used as a fundamental ingredient in the flavoring of beer.

Hops are ordinarily used in conjunction with other herbs and flowers. They are typically used with lavender, valerian or chamomile, but also holds their own as a natural relaxing sedative. The dried fruits, from which a tea can be made, are commonly available, as are capsules, tablets, and tinctures.

Ordinarily, no side effects or adverse drug interactions are seen with the use of hops, but some individuals have experienced an uncommon allergic reaction or contact dermatitis from the pollen crystals in the fruits.

Valerian, a hardy perennial flowering plant with sweetly smelling white or pink flowers, grows in large parts of Europe and Asia and also now grows naturally in areas of north America. Other common names for valerian include: garden valerian, and garden heliotrope (no relation to Heliotrope - Heliotropum).

Valerian is also known by various folk names: Red Valerian, Vandal Root, Cat's Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Set Well, Bloody Butcher, English Valerian, Caopn's Trailer, Sets Wale, Phu, All-Heal, St. George's Herb, and Amantilla.

The main components used for medicinal purposes are the roots, rhizomes (underground stems) and stolons (horizontal stems). Ordinarily harvested in September, the dried roots may be used to prepare teas and tinctures, while the dried plant materials often find their way into capsules or tablets.

There is reference to the use of valerian as a medicinal herb as far back as the time of rome and ancient Greece. Hippocrates documented its therapeutic uses and, in the 2nd century, Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia. The 16th century saw it used to treat headaches, nervousness, trembling, and heart palpitations. In the mid-19th century, many considered valerian a stimulant that caused some of the same complaints it is thought to treat and held it in low esteem as a medicinal herb. During The Second World War the British used it to relieve the stress of air raids.

Unlike numerous other natural herbal sleep aids, to gain the benefits of the effects of valerian you should use it on a regular basis, with the full effects coming slowly and steadily over time.

Results ought to appear after about a month and regular use helps to promote deep relaxation and sleep. Several studies suggest valerian as by far the best natural solution for insomnia and general sleeplessness.

Commonly prescribed as a calming sleep aid, valerian can also play a useful part in treating anxiety-related sleep problems.

Unlike other commonly prescribed sleep medications, valerian is not toxic, does not impair your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery and does not raise the effects of alcohol.

Kava is what the Pacific islanders call both Piper Methysticum (a shrub from the pepper family Piperaceae) and also to the drink that is made from it.

Piper methysticum grows in abundance primarily in western Polynesia, especially in Tonga and Samoa, and virtually all of Melanesia, including Fiji. It is also found on Pohnpei Island, in Micronesia.

People have traditionally prepared kava as a cold tea (an infusion made from straining a mixture of shredded and pounded dried or fresh root and water). A simple method of preparing kava tea involves putting two or more heaped teaspoons of kava root per person into a clean stocking, tying a knot in it and squeezing it repeatedly in a bowl of cold water.

The tea commonly produces a slight numbing of the tongue and lips initially, followed by mildly talkative and euphoric behavior, a sense of clear thinking, relaxation, calm and well-being. Sleep associated with kava is peculiarly restful and there are no after effects the following day.

Kava can be bought at health food stores as a standardized extract and as a convenient method of anxiety relief as it is quick acting and highly potent. You can also purchase kava in pill form.

Some vendors have packaged high-powered Kava mixtures in convenient mini spray bottles. These are handy to keep in a knapsack or purse and are highly effective at offering a quick burst of relaxation. Just one or two quick sprays under the tongue can do wonders for tension and a case of the jitters.

If you plan on purchasing the raw root, it is wise to buy whole, top grade lateral root.

Some concerns have been raised recently concerning the safety of Kava following a small number of deaths from liver failure. As a result Switzerland and France have banned Kava, and Germany has made it available only through prescription. In the US the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has stated its reservations over its use.

Controversy abounds, fuelled by the economic interest of the kava exporting nations and disagreements between the medical profession and patrons of natural medicine. As of the time of writing the 'jury is out' and only time will reveal the truth.

It is noted however that the Tongans have used kava for hundreds of years and that it is of great significance within Tongan society.

A side-effect associated with the heavy use of kava is that of kava dermopathy - a scaly eruption of the skin. This is quite harmless and disappears once use is discontinued. Hawaiians used to drink large quantities of kava to produce just this effect as a way of cleansing the skin and giving themselves a clearer, smoother complexion.