Natural Cures for Insomnia: Herbs

There are various types of insomnia.The natural remedies we use differ accordingly.There is insomnia caused by extreme fatigue. Many of us have experienced that. We have worked very hard all day and we have been waiting for the time we can lay down and get some rest. And when we finally get to our bed extremely exhausted sleep wouldn’t come. We are too tired to sleep. Then there is the insomnia that is caused because your mind keeps going, it refuses to slow down. Anxiety and depression create another kind of insomnia. There is insomnia caused due to stress. Herbs can help a great deal with all the above conditions. And some herbs are better suited for treating one type of insomnia than others.

Definition of Some Herbal Terms

A nervine is an herb that strengthens and relaxes the nervous system.

A tonic has nourishing and restoring action.

An adaptogen as the name implies helps the body adapt to stressful situations by nourishing and rather than by stimulating.

For insomnia caused by extreme fatigue believe it or not eating a bowel of oats can help a lot. Oats is one of the best known natural remedies for an overworked body. It acts as a tonic and a nervine to the nervous system. Ginseng is another herb that can help with an over worked body, but it has to be taken over a period of time to be effective. You can take o.5 to1 gm of ginseng root or 2 to 3 gm of Siberian ginseng up to three times a day. You can either chew the root or cook it in soups.You can also take it in tablet form. it works as a nervine, tonic and an adptogen. Skullcap is a well known remedy for extreme exhaustion acting as a nervine, relaxant and tonic.

• (Caution ginseng should not be taken for more than 3 weeks at a time. Do not take during pregnancy and don’t drink anything with caffeine. Do not give to children under 11 years of age)
  

To treat insomnia caused by a mind that will not stop hops is best. The simplest way to take it is as a tincture which you can buy at any health food store. If you can’t find it in stores then you should be able to buy it on line. Put 10 drops in water and drink before bed. Increase the dosage as needed but don’t take any more than 35 drops.

For sleep deprivation due to depression and anxiety the hypnotic and relaxant herbs are used. Some of these herbs are passion flower, valerian, and California poppy. Make a tea of 1 part passion flower and one part valerian and drink before bed time. You can increase the strength as needed.

Kava: Has sedative properties, is very useful in in treating emotional anxiety as well as physical tension because of its muscle relaxant properties and relaxing effect on nervous tension.

For stress take 30 drops of the tincture with water 3 times a day.

CAUTION: Do not exceed the dosage recommended. Do not take more than 4 weeks at a time. Do not take during pregnancy.

For everyday variety mild insomnia a nice hot cup of tea of chamomile, red clover, or lime blossom will work wonders. They are what are known as nervine relaxants. Another way to enjoy these herbs is using them to bath right before bed time. Infuse a couple of handfuls of one of the herbs with about two pints of boiling water. Let it stand for half an hour. Strain and add the liquid to the bath water and enjoy an aromatic bath. This is a great way to help children who are suffering from insomnia.

How to Make an Infusion

To make an infusion put one teaspoon of the dried herb or three teaspoon of the fresh herb per cup of hot water in a tea pot preferably glass or porcelain and let it steep for 10 minutes. For medicinal purpose it is best to drink it hot but you can drink it cold too. This is the general direction of on how to make an infusion for any herb not just this one.

Use these herbal remedies for insomnia to support yourself when you have a problem falling asleep but then you have to work on the underlying issue that is causing it. For more support and advice on how to fall asleep naturally every night take a look at Cure Insomnia: Six Simple Steps.

This is not a medical advise always consult your health professional before taking any of this herbs.r