caffiene and insomnia

A native of the mountains of the western Mediterranean, Lavender is a flowering bush that was 'domesticated' by the Arabians before it was later spread widely throughout Europe by the Romans.

Lavender was brought to the United States by the Pilgrims and it showed up as one of the very first garden plants in Australia in the 19th century. It is found abundantly 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.

This popular flowering herb's essential oil acts to depress the central nervous system in a manner that is similar to many pharmaceutical tranquilizers.

Lavender is both useful and effective in its usage as a sleep aid. On top of the use of lavender flowers in a brewed tea, it may also be used as an essential oil distilled from the flowers, stems and leaves of the plant.

Lavender oil can be applied topically to relax the muscles or its aroma can be inhaled to get a calming effect. Rubbing lavender essential oil on the feet is a most effective method of application, as anything applied to the feet is absorbed very quickly.

Lavender oil is used extensively in aromatherapy and can be added to bathwater, dispersed in a vaporizer or simply dabbed on a tissue and breathed in. The essential oil from the flowers and leaves can also be employed in a sachet under your pillow.

It should be noted however that allergic contact dermatitis has been seen in some people applying lavender products externally. In order to safely detect an allergic reaction it is advisable to do a spot test before administering a full application.

It should also be noted that not all varieties of lavender are tranquilizing - some, like Spanish lavender, could have just the opposite effect.

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

Piper methysticum can be found in abundance in the main in western Polynesia, particularly in Samoa and Tonga, and most of Melanesia, including Fiji. It can also be found on Pohnpei Island, in Micronesia.

Traditionally people prepare kava as a cold tea (an infusion made from straining a mixture of water and shredded and pounded dried or fresh root). One 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 then squeezing it into a bowl of cold water.

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

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

Some sellers have packaged high-powered Kava mixtures in convenient mini spray bottles. These are handy to keep in a knapsack or purse and are extremely effective in providing a quick burst of relaxation. A quick spray or two under the tongue can do wonders for the jitters and tension.

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

Various concerns have been expressed recently about the kava's safety 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 on prescription. In north America the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has stated its reservations over kava's use.

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

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

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

California poppy contains the compound protopine, which can be described as being similar similar in its effect to a lighter form of morphine.

Unlike the Opium poppy, the California poppy does not contain morphine, although it does have a similar structure. As a result of this, the California poppy does not exhibit any of the addictive properties of its narcotic relative.

Right now no dosage guidelines have been established as the effects of the California poppy have not been widely studied in clinical trials.