fatigue insomnia

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

The principal components used for medicinal purposes are the roots, rhizomes (underground stems) and stolons (horizontal stems). Typically harvested in September, the dried roots may be used to make teas and tinctures, while the dried plant materials often find their way into capsules or tablets.

Reference is made to the use of valerian as a medicinal herb as far back as the time of rome and ancient Greece. 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 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 for the relief of stress during air raids.

Unlike a variety of 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 coming slowly and steadily over time.

Results will appear after about a month and regular use helps to promote deep relaxation and sleep. A number 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 part in treating anxiety-related sleep problems.

Unlike other frequently prescribed sleep medications, valerian lacks toxicity, does not impair your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery and does not amplify the effects of alcohol.

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

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

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

On top of having a profound 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 accounts for its ability to promote and ease digestion.

Some people consider the passion flower to be the herb of choice for dealing with insomnia as it doesn't produce side effects and results in a restful, relaxing sleep with no grogginess the next morning.

It is non-addictive and can be used in both the elderley and children without causing complications.

When used for its medicinal purposes, the whole plant may be used. It is ordinarily 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 brew for fifteen minutes. Drink a cup half an hour before retiring.

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

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

Throughout the ages Chamomile has proved a very good sleep aid and it can be employed in several different ways including as a tea and used in a sachet placed under your pillow.

Unlike some herbal sleep remedies, chamomile does not need to be used regularly to enjoy its effects as a treatment for sleeplessness. It can be used just as needed to supply fast relief for both sleeplessness and anxiety.

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

Chamomile can be especially helpful in easing the symptoms of mild, or transient, insomnia.

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

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