causes of insomnia

Valerian, a hardy perennial flowering plant with sweetly smelling pink or white flowers, grows in large 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: Red Valerian, English Valerian, Caopn's Trailer, Amantilla, Sets Wale, Bloody Butcher, Set Well, Phu, St. George's Herb, Vandal Root, All-Heal, Fragrant Valerian, and Cat's Valerian.

The chief components used for medicinal purposes are the roots, rhizomes (underground stems) and stolons (horizontal stems). Commonly harvested in September, the dried roots can 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 wrote of its therapeutic uses and, in the 2nd century, Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia. In the 16th century saw it used to treat heart palpitations, headaches, nervousness, 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 The Second World War the English used it to relieve the stress of air raids.

Unlike several other natural herbal sleep aids, to gain the benefits of valerian you have got to use it on a regular basis, with the full effects heightening over time.

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

Often prescribed as a calming sleep aid, valerian also plays a useful role in dealing with anxiety-related sleep problems.

Unlike other frequently prescribed sleep medications, valerian lacks toxicity, doesn't impair your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery and doesn't magnify the effects of alcohol.

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 made from it.

Piper methysticum can be found growing in abundance chiefly in western Polynesia, especially in Tonga and Samoa, and the majority 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 repeatedly in a bowl of cold water.

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

Kava can be purchased at health food stores as an extract and as a convenient method of relieving anxiety as it is quick acting and extremely 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 purse or knapsack and are very effective at offering a quick burst of relaxation. Just one or two quick sprays under the tongue can do wonders for both tension and the jitters.

If you plan on purchasing the raw root, it is a good idea to purchase whole, top grade lateral root.

A few concerns have been voiced 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 United States the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has expressed reservations over the use of kava.

Controversy abounds, fuelled by the economic interest of the kava exporting countries 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 holds a place of great importance within Tongan society.

A 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. In the past, Hawaiians used to drink large quantities of kava to produce just this effect as a method of cleansing the skin and giving themselves a smoother, clearer complexion.

It is said that honey has sleep inducing properties. Dark honey incorporates more antioxidants than light honey. Honey can be used either in herbal teas or mixed into warm milk.