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am i an insomniac
natural sleep
The sleepness nights and lack of energy brought on by insomnia have been around since the birth of the human race and, notwithstanding the advances of modern medicine, there are innumerable people today who swear by the time-honored herbal remedies for insomnia, many of which were discovered hundreds or even thousands of years ago.
So why do people continue to use these old herbal remedies for insomnia?
Many people simply don't believe in modern medicine and, in particular, do not believe in taking drugs in any shape or form. For others it is quite simply a case of preferring to use a natural remedy which has clearly established its usefullness over time.
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| Here's one herb used to produce natural sleep: | am i an insomniac |
Honey | Honey is thought to have sleep inducing properties. Dark honey possesses more antioxidants than lighter honey. It can be used in herbal teas or mixed with warm milk. Honey and Milk Sleep Remedy Ingredients: 1 glass warm milk, 1 drop vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon honey Mix, then drink while it is still warm. Use this just before going to bed. |
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| Here's a second herb used for curing insomnia: | am i an insomniac |
Lavender | Indigenous to the mountains of the western Mediterranean, Lavender is a flowering shrub which was 'domesticated' by the Arabians before it was later spread widely throughout Europe by the Romans. The Pilgrims brought Lavender to North America and it appeared as one of the first garden plants in Australia during the 19th century. It is found in abundance in the wild in many areas of the world as well as being garden grown in well-drained, sun drenched areas, ideally in a mildly alkaline soil. The smaller species can also be grown quite easily in well-drained pots. The essential oil from this flowering herb depresses the central nervous system in a manner that is comparible to many pharmaceutical tranquilizers. Lavender is very useful and effective when it is used as a sleep aid. In addition to the use of lavender flowers in a tea, it can also be used in the form of an essential oil distilled from the leaves, flowers and stems of the plant. Lavender oil can be applied topically as a muscle relaxant or its aroma can be inhaled to produce a calming effect. Rubbing lavender essential oil on the feet is a particularly effective method of application, as anything on the feet is absorbed very quickly. Lavender oil is used widely in aromatherapy and can be added to bathwater, dispersed in a vaporizer or simply put onto a tissue and breathed in. The essential oil from the flowers and leaves can also be added to in a sachet placed under your pillow. You should note that allergic contact dermatitis has been reported in some individuals using lavender products externally. So that you can safely detect an allergic reaction it is wise to do a spot test before administering a full application. You should also note that not all varieties of lavender are tranquilizing - some, like Spanish lavender, can have just the opposite effect. A particularly refreshing use of Lavender can be found in Lavender mint tea. Lavender Mint Tea (A single serving) Ingredients: 1 tsp. fresh lavender flowers (or 1/2 tsp. dried lavender flowers), 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves (or 2 tsp. dried mint) and 1 cup boiling water. [rosemary, lemon balm or lemon verbena, and rose geranium can also be added for an interesting multi-herb herbal tea.] Preparation: Combine the lavender flowers and mint in a teapot or saucepan (either loose or using a tea infuser). Pour boiling water onto the mixture and steep for 5 minutes. The infuser can then be taken out or the leaves removed with a strainer. |
If you want to use a herbal sachet under your pillow then here is a recipe: Ingredients: Lavender plant (buds, leaves or stems), lavender essential oil, a handkerchief, 2 needles (1 large to fit 1/4 inch ribbon and 1 regular size), thread and Ribbon (1/4 inch wide) You can use lavender harvested from your own plants or buy the lavender buds, either through an online supplier or locally. Instructions: Fold the handkerchief in half, and then in half again. You can either iron the handkerchief for a crisper look, or merely leave it as is. Next, sew up three sides. Open the unsown side of the handkerchief and fill it with lavender plant pieces and/or buds. Be sure to use an abundance of plant material, but do not stuff it too tight. The final result will be a lot like a beanbag. Then, sprinkle the pieces with lavender essential oil. (8 to 10 drops should be more than enough). Then, thread your large needle with 1/4 inch ribbon and sew loosley to keep the plant materials inside your sachet. Finally, tie the whole thing off with a knot. |
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| Here's a third herb used as a cure for sleeplessness: | am i an insomniac |
California Poppy | California poppy contains a compound called protopine, which can be thought of as similar in effect to a lighter version of morphine. Different from its cousin the Opium poppy, this flower does not contain morphine, though its structure is similar. As a result of this, the California poppy doesn't show any of the addictive properties of its narcotic relative. Right now no dosage guidelines have been established as very few clinical studies on the effects of the California poppy have been conducted. |
am i an insomniac, natural sleep | |
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