| If you suffer from insomnia, you know | | | | simple as a cup or two of chamomile tea |
| it's a miserable condition that can | | | | taken an hour or two before retiring. |
| drive you to distraction. Insomnia is an | | | | Chamomile has a calming effect, |
| inability to fall asleep normally, over | | | | relieving tense muscles, digestive |
| a prolonged period. There are many | | | | upsets and anxiety. |
| possible causes, including diabetes, | | | | Other herbs commonly used as insomnia |
| lung or heart disease and sleep apnea. | | | | remedies include passion flower, lemon |
| Although there are several natural | | | | balm, anise and skullcap. All have a |
| remedies that may bring relief, get a | | | | calming effect on the nerves and some |
| checkup to rule out diseases before | | | | have a mild sedative property. These may |
| using any natural insomnia remedies. | | | | be prepared as tea and taken as for |
| Some people with insomnia keep irregular | | | | chamomile. |
| hours, those proverbial night owls. What | | | | Another popular and highly effective |
| you may not realize is that circadian | | | | insomnia remedy is the hops pillow. |
| rhythms are, in large part, determined | | | | Loosely fill a smallish (8" square) |
| by exposure to natural light. If you're | | | | cloth bag with hops and lay it on your |
| the night owl, be sure to get natural | | | | pillow when retiring. Some people say |
| light exposure, both in the morning and | | | | that sprinkling the pillow with oil of |
| late afternoon. Walking and exercise | | | | lavender increases the sleep-inducing |
| both contribute to your ability to | | | | qualities of the hops. |
| sleep, so take a couple of short walks | | | | Diet plays an important role in cases of |
| every day. You may be delighted with | | | | insomnia, consisting of a short list of |
| this most simple of insomnia remedies! | | | | "do's and don'ts". Avoid caffeine and |
| Several herbs have been used for | | | | sugar, particularly in the afternoon and |
| centuries as effective insomnia remedies | | | | evening. Try a complex carbohydrate as |
| and are still used to good effect today. | | | | an evening snack to promote sleep. A |
| Valerian is one of the best known | | | | baked potato or some crackers may be all |
| natural insomnia remedies, widely used | | | | you need. (That chocolate donut won't |
| in Europe for this purpose. However, | | | | do!) |
| valerian doesn't work for everyone. | | | | Some cases of insomnia are due to |
| Although valerian is well-researched, | | | | magnesium deficiencies, showing up in |
| scientists are not certain of how it | | | | muscle cramps, restless leg syndrome, |
| works, but only that it is often | | | | irritability and an inability to fall |
| effective. As with many herbs, it may | | | | asleep. A magnesium supplement, taken an |
| take two to three works before you | | | | hour before your desired bedtime can |
| realize results. | | | | help. |
| Kava kava is a popular and effective | | | | Once disease has been ruled out, try a |
| anti-anxiety remedy, which may prove | | | | combination of these natural insomnia |
| helpful if your insomnia is anxiety | | | | remedies. You'll soon find those which |
| related. | | | | work for you. Sweet dreams! |
| Relief from your insomnia may be as | | | | |