coffee and insomnia

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

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

Over the centuries Chamomile has proved an extremely effective sleep aid and it can be administered in a number of ways including as a tea and used in a sachet placed under your pillow.

Unlike some other sleep remedies, chamomile does not have to be used on a regular basis to enjoy its effects as a treatment for sleeplessness. It can be used as required to supply quick relief for both anxiety and sleeplessness.

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

Chamomile can be particularly valuable in remedying the symptoms of mild insomnia (often referred to as transient insomnia).

Chamomile also reduces the histamine-based swelling produced by some allergic reactions, and is a very good solution when food allergies or congested sinuses are a contributory factor to sleeplessness.

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

Valerian, a hardy perennial flowering plant with sweetly smelling pink or white flowers, grows in many parts of Europe and Asia and now also grows naturally in parts of the United States. 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: Set Well, Red Valerian, Amantilla, Phu, English Valerian, All-Heal, Sets Wale, Fragrant Valerian, Caopn's Trailer, Bloody Butcher, Cat's Valerian, Vandal Root, and St. George's Herb.

The primary components used for medicinal purposes are the roots, rhizomes (underground stems) and stolons (horizontal stems). Normally harvested in September, the dried roots may be used to make teas and tinctures, while the dried plant materials usually 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 described its therapeutic uses and, in the 2nd century, Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia. In the 16th century saw it used to treat nervousness, headaches, trembling, and heart palpitations. In the mid-19th century, many people 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 British used it to relieve the stress of air raids.

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

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

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

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

Honey is thought to possess sleep inducing properties. Dark honey contains more antioxidants than light honey. Honey can be used either in herbal teas or mixed into warm milk.