cures for insomnia

Hops are the fruit of a member of the cannabis family native to Asia, Europe, and North America. Widely grown in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, hops form a major ingredient in the flavoring of beer.

Hops are usually used in conjunction with other herbs and flowers. They are frequently coupled with valerian, chamomile or lavender, but also holds their own as a natural relaxing sedative. The dried fruits, from which a tea can be made, are typically available, as are capsules, tinctures, and tablets.

Usually, no side effects or adverse drug interactions are encountered when using hops, although some individuals have experienced an uncommon allergic reaction or contact dermatitis from the pollen crystals in the fruits.

It is believed that honey has sleep inducing properties. Dark honey contains more antioxidants than light colored honey. It can be used in herbal teas or mixed with warm milk.

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

Piper methysticum grows readily 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.

People have traditionally prepared kava as a cold tea (an infusion made from straining a mixture of shredded and pounded fresh or dried root and water). 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 normally produces a slight numbing of the tongue and lips initially, followed by somewhat talkative and euphoric behavior, a sense of well-being, clear thinking, calm and relaxation. Sleep associated with kava is particularly 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 relieving anxiety as it is quick acting and extremely potent. Kava can also be bought in pill form.

Some vendors have packaged high-powered Kava mixtures in convenient mini spray bottles. These are handy to keep in a knapsack or purse and are very effective at producing a quick burst of relaxation. Just one or two quick sprays under the tongue can do wonders for tension and a case of the jitters.

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

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

Controversy abounds, fuelled by the economic interest of the kava exporting countries and disagreements between the medical profession and supporters of natural medicine. At this time the 'jury is out' and only time will bring out the truth.

It is noted however that the Tongans have employed 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 disappears as soon as you stop using kave and is quite harmless. 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 clearer, smoother complexion.