chronic insomnia

Native to the mountain regions of the western Mediterranean, Lavender is a flowering bush which was cultivated by the Arabians before being spread throughout Europe by the Romans.

The Pilgrims brought Lavender to North America and it showed up as one of the very first garden plants in Australia during the 19th century. It can be found in abundance in the wild in many parts of the world as well as being garden grown in well-drained, sun drenched areas, for preference in a somewhat alkaline soil. The smaller species also grow quite easily in well-drained pots.

This popular flowering herb's essential oil 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 as an essential oil distilled from the leaves, flowers and stems 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 particularly effective method of application, as anything on the feet is absorbed rapidly.

Extensively used in aromatherapy, Lavender oil can also 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 employed in a sachet under your pillow.

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

You should also note that not all varieties of lavender are tranquilizing - some, such as Spanish lavender, may have just the opposite effect.

Hops are the fruit of a member of the cannabis family native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Grown widely in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, hops appear as a primary ingredient in flavoring beer.

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

In general, no side effects or adverse drug interactions from the use of hops are reported, though some individuals have experienced a rare allergic reaction or contact dermatitis from the pollen crystals in the fruits.

It is thought that honey possesses sleep inducing properties. Dark honey possesses more antioxidants than light colored honey. It can be used either in herbal teas or mixed into warm milk.