Herbal Remedies for Insomnia

My grandfather lived till 90 years old and his habits for food and teas was my first health education.
The Tea before bed I loved most. It was easy to make. He told mystical stories about every herb he used… and I believed his every word because his deep sleep and his neutral and soft mood was a great example of results.
Here is the recipe:

1. St.John’s Wort one part;
2. Thymus one part;
3. Origano one part;
4. Mint one part
   You can try some other recipes and combinations for moderate taste. Every ingredient has several benefits.

Chamomile

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a popular and widely used tea for promoting deep sleep. You can find the tea anywhere in stores and it is probably the first thing you will find for insomnia. Chamomile, particularly its flower, is rich in flavonoid apigenin. It is responsible for reducing the stress response of the brain and reduces the activity of the receptors.

Chamomile is a strong sedative and nervine. It also has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties that relieve muscle spasms to help the body experience lasting relaxation. It alleviates painful menstruation and spastic stomach pain to give you a good night’s rest. Chamomile is the most effective tea for treating insomnia in the elderly.
While you can easily find chamomile tea in stores, the most potent form of consuming it is in its tincture form.

Passionflower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is the second and next most effective anti-insomnia herbal remedy. It treats anxiety, phobias and depression that cause sleep disorders. Taking passionflower increases the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the body which lowers brain activities. In turn, it causes deep relaxation and promotes the quality of sleep and its pattern.

It is also a good herb for people having emotional symptoms and insomnia from drug and alcohol withdrawal. For women, passionflower balances the hormone and manages the estrogen level in the body. It is necessary in reducing the symptoms of PMS and other menstrual-related problems and sleeplessness during this time of the month.
Passionflower is available in different medicinal forms. It is also used in foods or taken in its raw form. For insomnia, you can take passionflower tea by boiling one tablespoon of its freshly shredded leaves. Steep it for 7 to 8 minutes and drink twice a day, once in the morning and before bedtime. You can give the infusion to children at one teaspoon twice a day.

Valerian

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) root extract is one of the most popular complementary treatments for insomnia. It had been in traditional apothecaries for thousands of years as a cure for sleep disorders. The compounds in valerian affect the regions of the nervous system to bring a deep calm and aid in sleep.
The herb is a powerful nervine and sedative that enhances the effect of prescription medicine. With proper use, it manages blood pressure, improves sleep patterns and positively affects heart health.

Valerian root extract is available in many forms such as a tablet, a capsule, tea or powder. Its most effective form is a tincture which is diluted in warm water and taken as an anti-insomnia herbal remedy. The herb is so potent it can interact with other medications. Sudden discontinuance can also cause bothersome withdrawal symptoms, so reducing the amount is more necessary than abruptly stopping use.