7 Natural Remedies For Insomnia
Insomnia affects millions of people across the world, and it is a more serious condition than what most think.
Although it is all about lack of enough sleep, it can lead to other severe conditions such as heart problems and even cause the development of Type 2 Diabetes.
There are medications and treatments available for insomnia but before you go out to buy over the counter drugs or seek medical intervention it is important to know that there are other natural solutions.
Natural remedies for insomnia are the best as they will not only be more powerful in the long term than over the counter drugs but they also have almost no side effects.
There are many of these natural remedies available, but the following seven should be sufficient enough for you.
1. Chamomile
Chamomile is a sedative herb that has been in use for hundreds of years across the world. It is more famous in South American and Europe where people use it as a bedtime tea to deal with insomnia and restlessness.
Unlike most other herbs it is ideal for both children and adults, and you do not even have to alter the dose because it does not have any major side effects.
There are many ways that you can take chamomile if you have insomnia but according to research and different experiments taking it as a tea is the most effective.
You can also use its oil to soothe the nerves, and for this, you only have to add about five drops to your warm bathing water.
It also makes an excellent massage oil, and some people will even use it as an inhalant to clear the nasal blockage which can also help deal with insomnia.
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2. Hops
The fact that hops is one of the most common beers flavoring ingredients shows that there is something special about this flower.
It has a calming effect, and it is one of the things that make beers relaxing. Hops will not only promote relaxation, but it is also very useful in calming the nerves.
However, it is not very useful when you take it in beers. You should instead make it into a bedtime herbal tea or even make it into one of those useful sleep sachets that you put on your pillow.
It is also possible to have hops as a supplement but ensure that you get the dosage right. For this, anything between 30 and 120 milligrams of the hops supplement is okay.
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3. Wild Lettuce
Wild lettuce is a nervine and a mild sedative that treats different conditions in traditional medicine that including insomnia and restlessness.
If you have been suffering from anxiety, joint pain and severe headaches you probably know about this plant because it is one of the most effective natural treatments for these conditions.
The best way to use it is to buy supplements because the plant might not be readily available in many stores.
It also does not have any safety issues meaning that it is safe for use by children, but it is important to come up with a proper dosage.
In most cases, 100 milligrams of the supplement or slightly less is sufficient enough for most people.
4. Lavender (Aromatherapy)
You cannot talk about natural remedies for insomnia and fail to mention this herb because it is one of the most useful things that you can use to treat insomnia.
Many studies over the years prove that certain herbs help us get to sleep, and so it they be a very effective remedy for insomnia. It is nontoxic, and it is also a very affordable and readily available herb.
You can prepare a sachet with lavender and put it on your pillow or find a spray that contains it to spritz on your pillow before bed.
Additionally, you can also use lavender oil for massage, as a compress and even inhale it to alleviate your insomnia.
Regardless of how you prefer to use it the important part is to get the dosage right to ensure maximum effectiveness.
5. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is an ancient herb that people have always trusted to treat different conditions.
In fact, a few centuries ago it was a cure for all where people would use it to treat anything from a common cold to a snake bite.
However, in these modern times and with the availability of enough research it is used for mood lifting, relaxation and promotion of calmness.
This herb helps to deal with insomnia by treating depression which is one of the main things that prevent people from sleeping.
It will benefit both physical and mental health and in the process also help you sleep well.
Studies in the recent past prove that it has some sedative effects, and it causes drowsiness, but it is essential to be careful with the dosage because anything above 1800 milligrams may increase anxiety.
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6. Valerian
The roots of the hardy valerian plant make very useful sleep aids and sedatives.
Although research has never been conclusive on how valerian aids in sleep most scientist seem to agree that it does this by increasing the level of the gamma-aminobutyric acid that is responsible for nerve cell action regulation.
Valerian has an impressive calming effect, and this is why it is an essential ingredient in many anxiety medications.
To help with your insomnia, you should prepare it as an herbal tea, but it is important to note that it has a strong odor. But, if you do not like the odor there is still an option of having capsules
7. Lifestyle Changes
You can use herbs and supplements to deal with insomnia, but it is still vital to make lifestyle changes for them to be effective.
First, you should start having a healthy diet because food can either aid you in sleeping or prevent you from having any rest.
It is also important to start exercising as this will make your body healthy and also reduce the likelihood of getting insomnia.
Also, make your bedroom tranquil, and this is even more so when it comes to the bed that you sleep in.
Apart from having a comfortable mattress you should also use a memory foam pillow to improve your sleep.
Insomnia is a severe condition, and you should handle it with the seriousness that it deserves.
Lack of sleep is not normal, and if you are not getting enough rest, you should be ready for the consequences.
However, there is hope, and so if you are having trouble with sleep, you should try the seven natural remedies above before the condition gets out of hand.
Author Bio: Jane Collins is a Founder of G9SleepTight, a blog dedicated to helping people to have a good night’s sleep. Follow her Twitter at @g9sleeptight