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how to cure insomnia
natural sleep
A very common condition, insomnia has been with us for many centuries and, in spite of all the advances of modern medicine, there are countless people today who swear by traditional herbal remedies for insomnia, many of which have been used for hundreds or even thousands of years.
But what is it that draws so many people towards herbal remedies for insomnia?
A growing number of people simply do not believe in modern medicine and are very much against taking modern drugs in any form. For other people though it is simply a matter of preferring to take a natural remedy which has clearly established its usefullness over time.
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| Here's one herb used to produce natural sleep: | how to cure insomnia |
California Poppy | The California poppy contains the compound protopine, which has been described as being similar in its effect to a light form of morphine. Different from its cousin the Opium poppy, the California poppy doesn't contain the narcotic morphine, though it does have a similar structure. Because of this, the California poppy doesn't show any of the addictive properties of its narcotic relative. Right now no dosage guidelines have been established as the effects of the California poppy have not been widely studied in clinical trials. |
| Here's a second herb used for curing insomnia: | how to cure insomnia |
Chamomile | A common flowering plant, Chamomile (Matricaria camomilla) grows in various parts of central and southern Europe (Slovakia, Italy, Germany, Croatia, and Hungary), as well as in north western Asia. Chamomile is also now widely cultivated in North Africa, the United States, Australia, Egypt, and Argentina. Typically packaged as a tea, the dried flowers and dried leaves can be bought over the counter in both loose and bagged form. Over the centuries Chamomile has shown itself to be a very good sleep aid and it can be taken in many ways including as a tea and used in a sachet placed under your pillow. Unlike some other sleep remedies, you do not need to use Chamomile regularly to enjoy its effects as a sleep aid. It can be used just as needed to give quick relief for both sleeplessness and anxiety. Chamomile tea, which is made from the leaves and dried flowers of this common plant, frequently proves most effective when taken a half an hour to forty-five minutes before retiring. Chamomile can be particularly valuable in relieving the symptoms of mild, or transient, insomnia. Chamomile also reduces the histamine-based swelling produced by allergic reactions, and is a very effective solution when congested sinuses or food allergies contribute to sleeplessness. It should be noted that hay fever sufferers who show an allergic reaction to ragweed and its close botanical relatives (such as chrysanthemum and aster) sometimes demonstrate a similar reaction to Chamomile. If you would like to try Chamomile tea, then here is a useful recipe: Chamomile Tea Recipe (One serving) Ingredients: 1 cup water, 1 tsp. dried Chamomile flowers, lemon juice and honey Preparation: Bring the water to the boil in a saucepan. Add the dried chamomile flowers (either directly or using a tea infuser) and boil for thirty to forty-five seconds with the lid on the saucepan. Remove from the heat and let the flowers steep for another minute. The loose flowers can then be removed from the tea with a strainer. Taken with honey and a little lemon juice, this tea is a tasty way to unwind after a hectic day and its calming properties typically start to take effect within a half hour. For additional sedative effect, a few leaves of Lemon Balm can be substituted for the lemon juice. |
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| Here's a third herb used as a cure for sleeplessness: | how to cure insomnia |
Lavender | Indigenous to the mountains of the western Mediterranean, Lavender is a flowering shrub which was first 'domesticated' by the Arabians before being spread throughout Europe by the Romans. The Pilgrims brought Lavender to North America and it showed up as one of the very 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 sun drenched, well-drained areas, ideally in a somewhat alkaline soil. The smaller species also grow quite easily in well-drained pots. The essential oil from this flowering herb acts to depress the central nervous system in a manner comparable to many pharmaceutical tranquilizers. Lavender is both useful and very effective in its usage as a sleep aid. In addition to the use of lavender flowers in a tea, it can also be used in the form of an essential oil distilled from the stems, flowers and leaves of the plant. Lavender oil can be applied topically to relax the muscles or its aroma can be inhaled if you want a calming effect. Rubbing lavender essential oil on the feet is an especially effective method of application, as anything rubbed into the feet is absorbed quickly. Lavender oil is used widely in aromatherapy and can be added to bathwater, dispersed in a vaporizer or simply popped onto a tissue and breathed in. The essential oil from the flowers and leaves can also be used in a sachet underneath your pillow. It should be noted that allergic contact dermatitis has been documented in some individuals applying lavender products externally. In order to safely detect an allergic reaction it is always a good idea to do a spot test before administering a full application. You should also note that not all varieties of lavender have a tranquilizing effect - some, like Spanish lavender, can have just the opposite effect. An especially refreshing use of Lavender can be found in Lavender mint tea. Lavender Mint Tea (One serving) Ingredients: 1 tsp. fresh lavender flowers (or 1/2 tsp. dried lavender flowers), 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves (or 2 tsp. dried mint) and 1 cup boiling water. [lemon verbena, rosemary or lemon balm, together with rose geranium can also be added for an interesting multi-herb herbal tea.] Preparation: Combine the lavender flowers and mint in a teapot or saucepan (either loose or using a tea infuser). Pour boiling water over the mixture and allow it to brew for 5 minutes. The infuser can then be taken out or the leaves removed with a strainer. |
If you want to try using a herbal sachet under your pillow then here's a recipe: Ingredients: Lavender plant (leaves, stems or buds), lavender essential oil, a handkerchief, 2 needles (1 large to fit 1/4 inch ribbon and 1 regular size), thread and Ribbon (1/4 inch wide) You can use lavender harvested from your own plants or buy the lavender buds, either through an online supplier or locally. Instructions: Fold the handkerchief in half, and then in half again. You can either iron the handkerchief for a crisper look, or merely leave it as is. Next, sew up 3 sides. Open the unsown side of the handkerchief and fill it (like a pillow) with lavender plant pieces and/or buds. Be sure to use an abundance of plant material, but do not stuff it too tight. The final result will be a lot like a beanbag. Then, sprinkle lavender essential oil onto the pieces. (eight to ten drops should be more than enough). Then, thread your large needle with 1/4 inch ribbon and sew loosley to keep the plant materials inside your homemade sachet. Finally, tie the whole thing off with a knot. |
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how to cure insomnia, natural sleep | |
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