3 herbal remedies to beat insomnia
When you’re all tucked into bed and insomnia strikes, many people reach for that bottle of sleeping pills. However, there are many natural remedies that could help you drift off without those nasty side effects.
1. Hop pillow
Most of us know that hops are a key component of beer - but in herbal medicine they're favoured for their calming effect on the nervous system.
That's good for those who suffer from insomnia, and it's especially good for those who cannot take valerian (which has the opposite effect on some people) though frequently, you see the two herbs combined.
Hop pillows were first made popular by King George III, who supposedly used one to relieve his insomnia.
You can make your own hop pillow easily enough – just fill a small bag with fresh hops and sew it closed, then sleep with the bag in such a way that you can smell it. Replace it every few months as the therapeutic properties will diminish over time.
2. Valerian tincture
The active constituents in valerian depress the central nervous system in a similar way to GABA, a relaxing neurotransmitter in the brain. Clinical studies have shown that valerian is effective in the treatment of insomnia, mostly by reducing the time it takes to go from fully awake to asleep and improving sleep quality.
Valerian is easy to grow in rich, heavy loam with good moisture. It's a hardy perennial, with summer flowers reaching up to 1.5m high, but as it's the root that is used, you may want to snip off the flowers so that the plant puts more energy into the rhizomes.
You can make a tincture by soaking the chopped roots in three times their volume of vodka. Place both in a jar, screw the lid on tightly and store in a cool, dark room. Shake daily for 4-6 weeks, then strain. Alternatively, you can steep slices of fresh or dried root in freshly boiled water to make a tea.
3. Scullap tea
Scullcap is a relaxing nervine used to relieve stress and anxiety, and it can also be taken at night to quieten a busy mind. It is often used with passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) as an overall herbal mind-body sedative. Skullcap leaves can be used either fresh or recently dried, as they lose their potency as they age. For a good night's sleep, make a strong tea with a couple of tablespoons of leaves, taken perhaps an hour before retiring.
How do you overcome sleeping problems? Let us know in the comments below.
Written by Jane Wrigglesworth. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.
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