causes insomnia

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

Piper methysticum grows in abundance principally in western Polynesia, especially 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 fresh or dried root). A simple method of preparing kava tea involves putting two or more heaped teaspoons of kava root per person into a clean knotted stocking and then squeezing it into a bowl of cold water.

The tea normally produces a slight numbing of the tongue and lips initially, followed by somewhat talkative and euphoric behavior, a sense of well-being, calm, clear thinking and relaxation. 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 sellers 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 providing a quick burst of relaxation. Just one or two quick sprays under the tongue can do wonders for tension and jitters.

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

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

Controversy abounds, fuelled by the economic interest of the kava exporting countries and disagreements between the medical profession and champions of natural medicine. Right now the 'jury is out' and only time will unveil the truth.

It is noted however that the Tongans have relied heavily on kava for hundreds of years and that it holds a place of great importance within Tongan society.

One side-effect associated with the heavy use of kava is 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 smoother, clearer complexion.

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

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

The principal 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 make teas and tinctures, while the dried plant materials normally 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 ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates documented its therapeutic uses and, in the 2nd century, Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia. In the 16th century saw it used to treat nervousness, heart palpitations, headaches, and trembling. 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 World War II the English used it to relieve the stress of air raids.

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

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

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

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

Chamomile (Matricaria camomilla) is a common flowering plant which grows in various parts of central and southern Europe (Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy, and Croatia), as well as in north western Asia. Chamomile is also now widely cultivated in the United States, Egypt, Australia, North Africa, and Argentina.

Commonly packaged as a tea, the dried leaves and flowers can be bought over the counter in both bagged and loose form.

Throughout the ages Chamomile has proved a powerful sleep aid and it can be administered in several different ways including being brewed as a tea and used in a sachet placed under your pillow.

Unlike some other sleep remedies, chamomile does not need to be used regularly to enjoy its effects as a treatment for sleeplessness. It can be used as required to supply speedy relief for both sleeplessness and anxiety.

Chamomile tea, which is brewed from the dried flowers and leaves of this common plant, commonly proves most effective when sipped a half an hour to forty-five minutes before retiring.

Chamomile can be especially valuable in alleviating the symptoms of mild insomnia (also known as transient insomnia).

Chamomile can also act to reduce the histamine-based swelling produced by some allergic reactions, and is an excellent solution when congested sinuses or food allergies contribute to sleeplessness.

It should be noted that hay fever sufferers who display an allergic reaction to ragweed and its close botanical relatives (such as aster and chrysanthemum) frequently display a similar reaction to Chamomile.