help for chronic insomnia

Kava is what the Pacific islanders call both Piper Methysticum (a shrub from the pepper family Piperaceae) and also to the drink made from it.

Piper methysticum grows readily chiefly in western Polynesia, especially in Samoa and Tonga, and the majority of Melanesia, including Fiji. It is also 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 for each person into a clean stocking, tying a knot in it and squeezing it repeatedly in a bowl of cold water.

The tea commonly produces a slight numbing of the tongue and lips initially, followed by slightly talkative and euphoric behavior, a sense of clear thinking, relaxation, calm and well-being. Sleep associated with kava is especially restful and there are no after effects the following day.

Kava can be bought at health food stores as an extract and as a convenient method of relieving anxiety as it is fast 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 purse or knapsack and are highly effective for offering a quick burst of relaxation. A quick spray or two under the tongue can do wonders for both tension and the jitters.

If you plan on buying the raw root, it is sensible to choose whole, top grade lateral root.

Some concerns have been voiced recently about the safety of Kava 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 through prescription. In the US the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has stated its reservations over its use.

Controversy abounds, fuelled by the economic interest of kava exporting countries and disagreements between the medical profession and proponents of natural medicine. Right now the 'jury is out' and only time will uncover the truth.

It should be noted however that the Tongans have employed kava for hundreds of years and that it is of great importance within Tongan society.

One side-effect associated with the heavy use of kava is kava dermopathy - a scaly eruption of the skin. This is quite harmless and disappears once you stop using kave. Hawaiians used to drink large quantities of kava to produce just this effect as a way of cleansing the skin and giving themselves a clearer, smoother complexion.

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

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

For many hundreds of years Chamomile has proved itself to be an excellent sleep aid and it can be administered in numerous ways including being brewed as a tea and used in a sachet placed under your pillow.

Unlike some other sleep remedies, chamomile does not have to be used regularly to enjoy its effects as a sleep aid. It can be used as required to give speedy relief for sleeplessness and anxiety.

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

Chamomile can prove especially valuable in alleviating the symptoms of mild insomnia (often referred to as transient insomnia).

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

You should note that hay fever sufferers who exhibit an allergic reaction to ragweed and its close botanical relatives (such as chrysanthemum and aster) typically have a similar reaction to Chamomile.

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

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

In general, no side effects or adverse drug interactions are seen with the use of hops, although some people have experienced a rare allergic reaction or contact dermatitis from the pollen crystals in the fruits.