Millions of folks all over the world have trouble sleeping at one time or the other. While some only suffer the problem occasionally, there are others where it is a recurring problem called insomnia.
Irrespective of how your sleep problems came about, you have a multitude of options as far as sleep aids are concerned. However, if you are unwilling to ask your doctor for prescription sleep drugs or other medical alternatives, several natural sleep aids are available that can help guide you to the land of nod.
Natural sleep aids using herbs have been around for hundreds of years, particularly in Chinese medicine. However, it is only the past decade or so that herbs have been studied more closely in respect of, their beneficial properties in treating everything from stomachache to colds and of course, sleep problems.
If you decide to try, one or more of these herbal remedies, you should discuss them with your doctor first. Other medications you are taking might adversely react to the herbal remedies. Additionally, you should be aware that these herbs are not sleep cures as such and will not always work immediately. It may take a few times before you might notice the effects.
Herbal Tea for Sleep
Drinking a cup of herbal tea before bed is one of the oldest and commonly used methods of falling asleep.
Chamomile is known for its soothing properties while ginseng and catnip are among other herbs that make a soothing cup of tea with light sedative properties.
Valerian is another herb that is popular as a sleep aid and is available in various forms, including tea. If you are not a tea person, you can always take valerian in its supplement form.
Research studies into valerian suggest that for the most part, it does not have any side effects. However, it is important to note that it is one of the herbs that might take a few weeks for it to really take full effect.
Melotonin Hormone Supplements
Melatonin supplements also help with guiding you to dreamland. It is a naturally occurring hormone in the brain that is produced at night to help you feel drowsy enough to sleep. Now, you can receive melatonin naturally through consuming foods loaded with tryptophan.
Tryptophan is an amino acid found in such foods as turkey, soy and milk products. That is why you always hear about a glass of warm milk inducing sleep sometimes.
It seems that this amino acid tryptophan kicks off the production of melatonin, which helps you sleep. If you do not eat enough of the foods that have tryptophan, then chances are that you would need boost in the form of melatonin supplements.
Other Herbal Sleep Aids
Many folks hype other herbal remedies for their sleep enhancing properties.
Teas made from passionflower, red clover, peppermint or lemon balms are sometimes taken before bed.
Additionally, supplements of St. John’s Wort, kava kava and hops have many firm believers in their properties as well.
Of course, natural sleep aids do not necessarily mean herbal remedies. They could also mean non-traditional methods such as acupuncture, self-hypnosis, meditation and acupressure.
Changing lifestyle habits and routines are a non-medical, natural way to help engage a more restful sleep as well.
Missing a proper night’s sleep brings folks to a number of various measures to try and help them deal with the sleep deficit.
It could be something as simple as incorporating exercise into your daily routine or rearranging your furniture to follow feng shui practices of harmony.
Maybe practicing deep breathing exercises might help your body and mind relax enough to fall asleep.
Visual imagery and muscle relaxation techniques are also other natural alternative sleep aids.
You really need to sit down and determine what factors may be causing your sleepless nights.
Depending on what your problem might be, you would then be able to base your choice on the best nonprescription natural sleep aid that would suit your needs.