Insomnia: A Herbal Remedy A herbal remedy for insomnia is probably the most popular herbal remedy in the western hemisphere today.
The search for solace has begun.Notice I said “relief. It should be stressed that only behavioural or psychological techniques can actually cure insomnia, whereas prolonged use of sleeping pills can only result in dependency. Hence, an insomnia herbal remedy is good!
There a large number of herbs that you may (and I say MAY) find helpful
as a insomnia herbal remedy. Before testing any herbal remedy for insomnia, you should consult your doctor or other health professional before self-medicating. Let’s face it, most drugs are good and bad.
I’ll list some of the main herbal remedies for insomnia here and add a few notes. Other insomnia herbal remedies are mentioned at great length in the books mentioned at the bottom of the article.
Essential oils are organic compounds that are extracted from various plant parts, including flowers, trees, herbs, and spices. Essential oil compounds are found in the leaves, wood, resin, fruit, flower blossoms,
roots, and buds of the plant. Lots of herbal remedies for insomnia can be used as essential oils.
Ginseng is the most famous Chinese herb and the most widely recognised plant used in traditional medicine. The main active ingredients of ginseng are the more than 25 saponin triterpenoid glycosides called
“ginsenosides”. These steroid-like ingredients provide the adaptogenic
properties that enable ginseng to balance and counter the effects of stress.
benefits include reducing the effects of stress, increasing energy levels, assisting with mental and physical fatigue, and maintaining optimal body functions.An excellent herbal remedy for insomnia. It hits all the targets.
Maca. Maca grows in volcanically enriched soils high up in the Peruvian Andes in a pure, unpolluted atmosphere. According to scientific research, Maca is amazingly rich in healthy amino acids, carbohydrates,
phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals, including calcium, phosphorous,
zinc, magnesium, iron, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E.
Maca AdvantagesReduces aches and pains and slows the ageing process.This was a new one to me, and as yet I haven’t tried it as an insomnia herbal remedy. Any comments ?
Mushrooms promote good health and vitality, increase your body’s adaptive abilities, and are an effective herbal remedy for insomnia.
Mushrooms are probiotic, meaning they fight off illness by restoring the body’s balance and natural resistance to disease through homeostasis.
Natural mushroom supplements contain an active ingredient proven by research to be an incredibly effective enhancing agent for the immune system. Mushrooms are low in calories and high in vegetable proteins,
chitin, iron, zinc, fiber, essential amino acids, vitamins, and
minerals. Hands up for mushrooms as an insomnia herbal remedy!
Extracts of St. John’s wort are now successfully competing for status as a standard antidepressant therapy. Great effort has been devoted to identifying the active antidepressant compounds in the extract.
St. John’s wort is one of the best-investigated medicinal plants used as an an
insomnia herbal remedy. Researchers in Europe have studied St. John’s Wort for decades. They discovered a combination of elements in the plant, foremost of which is “hypericin,” react with specific chemicals in the brain to temper emotional discomfort, lift depression, and calm nerves. Working similarly to common synthetic prescription antidepressants (maprotiline hydrochloride and imipramine) and, once again, a fantastic herbal remedy for insomnia.
Yohimbe is a popular herb originally from South Africa and is known worldwide as an excellent aphrodisiac. Traditionally, yohimbe bark has been used to treat fevers, coughs, and leprosy. Yohimbe tea is often washed away by warriors in preparation for battle. Yohimbe supplementation was also taken during fertility celebrations, mating and marriage rituals.
It has been used as a topical anesthetic and as a hallucinogen when smoked! Yohimbe’s most common modern use is as a tonic and as an indiscriminate herbal remedy.
Yohimbe is also known to reduce anxiety, enhance mood, and prevent heart attacks. Because it stimulates the central nervous system, it has been used to treat narcolepsy and weight loss, and has other positive effects on overall health, such as an insomnia herbal remedy!
And we are out of space already, just as the herbal remedies for insomnia have gotten into the swing of things. I hope I’ve given you a taster and will return to this theme in a further article.
