i have 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 the United States. 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: Vandal Root, Amantilla, All-Heal, St. George's Herb, Cat's Valerian, Sets Wale, Bloody Butcher, English Valerian, Phu, Red Valerian, Caopn's Trailer, Fragrant Valerian, and Set Well.

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

There is reference to the use of valerian as a medicinal herb as far back as the time of rome and ancient Greece. Hippocrates described its therapeutic uses and, in the 2nd century, Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia. In the 16th century saw it used to treat headaches, heart palpitations, nervousness, and trembling. 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 several other natural herbal sleep aids, to gain the benefits of the effects of valerian you need to use it regularly, with the full effects heightening over time.

Results should appear after about a month and regular use helps to promote deep relaxation and sleep. A number of studies suggest valerian as far and away the best natural solution for insomnia and general sleeplessness.

Typically prescribed as a calming sleep aid, valerian also plays a useful role in dealing with 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 heighten the effects of alcohol.

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

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

Over the centuries Chamomile has shown itself to be an extremely effective sleep aid and it can be taken in numerous 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 on a regular basis to enjoy its effects as a sleep aid. It can be used when needed to provide speedy relief for both anxiety and sleeplessness.

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

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

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

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

Lemon Balm is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family. It occurs naturally in southern Europe and northern Africa where it grows in landfills, along roadsides and on disturbed land from sea level up into the mountains.

It can be grown in any well-drained soil and is particularly tolerant of poor, sandy soils. It can also withstand the full force of the sun.

Lemon Balm has an effective sedative action and is typically made into a pleasant, lemony-tasting tea.

Try making a tea with 2 teaspoons of dried lemon balm per cup of boiling water. Steep the tea for ten minutes, strain, and drink right before getting into bed.