define insomnia

Hops are the fruit of a member of the cannabis family native to North America, Asia, and Europe. Grown widely in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, hops form a central ingredient in adding flavor to beer.

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

Generally, no side effects or adverse drug interactions are seen with the use of hops, though some people have experienced an uncommon allergic reaction or contact dermatitis from the pollen crystals in the fruits.

Passion flower is a flowering plant that is native to an area from the Argentina to Brazil and southeast US.

The passion flower gets its name from the fact that it reminded the early pilgrims of the passion of Christ.

Passion flower is frequently referred to as Apricot Vine, Maracoc, Granadilla, Passion Vine and Maypops. It has been used historically as a tranquilizer and tobacco substitute (together with other things).

As well as having a strong effect on the central nervous system, passion flower also acts as an anti-spasmodic on the smooth muscles of the body, including the entirety of the digestion system, which is why it has the ability to ease and promote digestion.

It is considered by some to be the herb of choice for the treatment of insomnia as it doesn't produce side effects and creates a restful, relaxing sleep without grogginess the following morning.

Further, it is non-addictive and can be used in both children and the elderly without leading to complications.

When used for its medicinal purposes, the entire plant can be used. It is typically collected after some of the berries have matured, then dried whole.

To make a passion flower tea, pour a cup of boiling water onto a teaspoonful of the dried herb and let it steep for 15 minutes. Drink a cup half an hour before you get into bed.

A native of the mountainous regions of the western Mediterranean, Lavender is a flowering shrub that was 'domesticated' by the Arabians before being spread widely throughout Europe by the Romans.

Lavender was brought to the United States by the Pilgrims and it was seen as one of the very first garden plants in Australia in the 1800s. It is found abundantly in the wild in many parts of the world as well as being garden grown in well-drained, sun drenched areas, ideally in a slightly alkaline soil. The smaller species also grow quite easily in well-drained pots.

This popular flowering herb's essential oil acts to depress the central nervous system in a manner that is comparible to many pharmaceutical tranquilizers.

Lavender is both useful and very effective when it is used as a sleep aid. As well as the use of lavender flowers in a tea, it may also be used in the form of an essential oil distilled from the flowers, leaves and stems of the plant.

Lavender oil can be applied topically as a muscle relaxant or its aroma can be inhaled to get a calming effect. Rubbing lavender essential oil on the feet is a most effective method of application, as anything rubbed into the feet is absorbed rapidly.

Lavender oil is widely used in aromatherapy and can also be added to bathwater, dispersed in a vaporizer or simply dabbed on a tissue and breathed in. The essential oil from the flowers and leaves can also be added to in a sachet under your pillow.

It should be noted that allergic contact dermatitis has been well documented in some individuals applying lavender products externally. To safely detect an allergic reaction it is a good idea to carry out a spot test before administering a full application.

Also note that not all varieties of lavender have a tranquilizing effect - some, like Spanish lavender, might have just the opposite effect.