help extreme insomnia

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

Hops are often used in conjunction with other flowers and herbs. They are frequently paired with lavender, chamomile or valerian, 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 tablets, tinctures, and capsules.

Usually, no side effects or adverse drug interactions are reported from the use of hops, but some individuals have experienced an uncommon allergic reaction or contact dermatitis from the pollen crystals in the fruits.

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

Lavender was brought to North America by the Pilgrims and it was seen as one of the first garden plants in Australia during the 19th century. It can be found in abundance in the wild in many areas of the world as well as being garden grown in well-drained, sunny areas, ideally in a somewhat alkaline soil. The smaller species can also be grown quite easily in well-drained pots.

The essential oil in this popular flowering herb acts to depress the central nervous system in a manner similar to many pharmaceutical tranquilizers.

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

Lavender oil can be applied topically as a muscle relaxant or its aroma can be inhaled if you want a calming effect. Rubbing lavender essential oil on the feet is a particularly effective method of application, as anything on the feet is absorbed very quickly.

Extensively used in aromatherapy, Lavender oil can also be added to bathwater, dispersed in a vaporizer or simply popped onto a tissue and breathed in. The essential oil from the leaves and flowers can also be added to in a sachet underneath your pillow.

You should note that allergic contact dermatitis has been well documented in some people applying lavender products externally. To safely detect an allergic reaction it is judicious 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, could have just the opposite effect.

Honey is said to possess sleep inducing properties. Dark honey has more antioxidants than light colored honey. It can be used in herbal teas or mixed into warm milk.