Natural Sleeping Aids

Using natural remedies for better sleep

Nature has afforded us with an abundance of resources to deal with illnesses of all kinds. The same is true for sleep and sleep related problems. Natural remedies can be used to treat insomina. There are many different natural products to take for better sleep. Whichever we choose depends on our situation and personal preferences. Seing a naturopath or natural health practicioner may be a good way to 'weigh the options' in this field.

Herbs

There are many different herbs that are believed to improve sleep. Some of the most commonly mentioned are herb chamomile, valerian root, passion flower, and skullcap. Herbs can be prepared in different ways. The most common way is to make a herb into a tea. Other methods of preparation include tinctures, pills and capsules.

Chamomile may be the most common used herb for relaxation. Chamomile tea is wildely used as a calming, relaxing, sleep inducing tea.

Valerian root is often used as a tea or tincture. A natural health food store that carries supplements would have readily prepared valerian root.
In contrast with most other herbs, valerian root has to be used regularly to be of any benefit. The effects of the plant come on slowly and steadily and may only be noticable after about a month of regular use.
Valerian root has been shown to also raise the quality of sleep of the user. This is in contrast with common medications that often reduce the quality of sleep.

Passion flower can be used as a tea or tincture. It has a mild relaxing effect and is completely safe. To make a tea, pour water over a teaspoon of dried passion flower. Let it steep for about 15 minutes.

Skullcap is another herb with anti-stress and anti-anxiety properties. Prepare and use it as with passion flower above.

Aromatherapy

There are certain aromatherapy oils that are known to have relaxing effects on the body and mind which will help to improve sleep. The ones that are most commonly used to induce relaxation are: lavender, chamomile, ylang ylang, clary sage, bergamot, frankincense, and sandalwood.

Aromatherapy oils can be used in massage oils, in baths, footbaths, compresses, steam inhalation and many other ways.

Vitamins

Vitamins play a key role in the functioning of all major processes in the body. Vitamin deficiencies have been linked to many different symptoms. The most well known is scurvy from vitamin C deficiency, or rickets from vitamin D deficiency.

Deficiencies in other vitamins leads to other kinds of symptoms. It is sometimes difficult to pinpoint which deficiencies lead to which symptoms, because all of the vitamins have different roles in the body, and often work in a synergy to create optimum health and functioning.

Supplementing with vitamins from the B family can be very useful in treating insomnia. The B vitamin family is referred to as the nervous system vitamin and is crucial for the normal functioning of this. It also has a calming effect on the nervous system. The B vitamin family consists of eight individual vitamins and though some advocate supplementing with one or two of these vitamins to treat insomnia it is preferable to supplement with the whole family, as they work best when taken together. This idea is further supported by the fact that the vitamins in the B family often occur simultaneously out in nature. A food item that is rich in B vitamins is usually rich in all of the B vitamins, not just one.


Foods that are rich in B vitamins include:

Because vitamin supplements may have a stimulating effect it is best to take them in the morning or during the afternoon. However, vitamin C can be taken at night to boost the immune system, when it is naturally less active than during the day.