how do you get insomnia

The Pacific islanders give the name Kava to both Piper Methysticum (a shrub from the pepper family Piperaceae) and also to the drink that is made from it.

Piper methysticum grows readily principally in western Polynesia, particularly in Samoa and Tonga, and most 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 water and shredded and pounded fresh or dried root). One simple method of preparing kava tea involves putting two or more heaped teaspoons of kava root per person into a clean knotted stocking and squeezing it into a bowl of cold water.

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

Kava can be purchased at health food stores as a standardized extract and as a convenient method of anxiety relief as it is fast acting and highly potent. You can also buy kava in pill form.

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

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

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

Controversy abounds, fuelled by the economic interest of kava exporting countries and disagreements between the medical establishment and patrons of natural medicine. At the moment the 'jury is out' and only time will uncover the truth.

It should be noted however that the Tongans have relied heavily on 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 that of 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 way of cleansing the skin and giving themselves a smoother, clearer complexion.

Lavender is a flowering bush indigenous to the mountains of the western Mediterranean which was cultivated by the Arabians before it was later spread across Europe by the Romans.

The Pilgrims brought Lavender to the United States and it appeared as one of the 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, sunny areas, for preference in a slightly alkaline soil. The smaller species can also be grown quite easily in well-drained pots.

The essential oil in this popular flowering herb depresses the central nervous system in a manner that is comparible to many pharmaceutical tranquilizers.

Lavender is very useful and extremely effective when used as a sleep aid. As well as the use of lavender flowers in a brewed tea, it may also be used as an essential oil distilled from the flowers, stems and leaves 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 particularly effective method of application, as anything put 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 dabbed on a tissue and breathed in. The essential oil from the leaves and flowers can also be employed in a sachet placed under your pillow.

You should note that allergic contact dermatitis has been seen in some people using lavender products externally. So that you can safely detect an allergic reaction it is wise to carry out a spot test before administering a full application.

It should also be noted that not all varieties of lavender are tranquilizing - some, such as Spanish lavender, may have just the opposite effect.

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

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

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

In addition to 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 it as the herb of choice for dealing with insomnia as it doesn't produce side effects and results in a restful, relaxing sleep without grogginess the following morning.

Furthermore, it is non-addictive and may be used in both the elderley and children without creating complications.

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

To prepare 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 30 minutes before you go to bed.