insomnia - an article

Insomnia is defined as difficulty in sleeping, or disturbed sleep patterns leaving the perception of insufficient sleep. There are many herbs with reputations as being effective sleep remedies. The key to successful treatment of insomnia is to find the cause. If you do not want to take prescription sleep medication, then there is a range of holistic medicines available to you, for example:

Aromatherapy: chamomile, which can also be used with children; clary sage, lavender, marjoram, neroli, or vetiver in bath or a pillow or as a room fragrance

Exercise: not later than early evening

Herbs: valerian, lemon balm, catnip, hops, passion flower, skullcap teas (if taste is unpleasant, add sugar, honey, or lemon)

1. The circulatory system responds well to Motherwort, Lime Blossom and Balm.

2. The respiratory system responds well to all types of hypnotics, if used in the right dosage.

3. The digestive system relaxants to use are Chamomile, Vervain, Balm, Hops and Valerian.

4. Hypnotics are important to use as a muscle relaxant for the urinary system. Pasque Flower and Black Cohosh have a high success rate on the reproductive system. Jamaican Dogwood, Valerian and Black Cohosh are excellent ingredients to relax the muscles and skeletal systems.

5. Chamomile and Cowslip are healing herbs for the skin.

Some of the medications are classified in the following way:

Hypnotics are herbs with a reputation as easing the person into sleep. They are usually strong nervine relaxants. Nervine relaxants ease the tensions that often produce sleeplessness.

Anti-spasmodics address any somatic muscular tightness that may be involved. Nervine tonics are indicated if there is any suspicion that the insomnia is associated with nervous exhaustion.

Adaptogens will help in a similar way to the nerve tonics, but should only be used in the morning to help deal with stress.

The value of hypnotics is to ensure that the body has a good recuperative rest each night. By selecting herbs that address specific health needs that are compounding the sleep difficulties, better results are obtained than simply going for strong hypnotic.

An example of a herbal prescription for insomnia could be:

Insomnia associated with hypertension and headaches:

* Passion Flower
* Valerian
* Linden
* Cramp Bark

7.5ml of tincture 30 minutes before bedtime.

There are many herbal remedies suggested for curing insomnia. You may have to try a few before you find the recipe that works best for you.

NOTE! Always consult a qualified Herbalist for guidance about the correct herbs to use

All stress-related conditions, including insomnia, respond well to aromatherapy.

How to use essential oils
For skin application the essential oil must be diluted in vegetable carrier oil such as cold-pressed sunflower oil or sweet almond oil. Use 7 -10 drops of essential oil to 25ml (five teaspoons) of carrier oil for adults, 3-5 drops for children under seven and 1-3 drops for children under the age of three. Do not use essential oils on newborn babies.

Any oil can be used in the bath. Add 5-10 drops for adults, 3-5 drops for children over two, and only one drop of very gentle oil such as chamomile or lavender for younger children. Oils should be placed on a teaspoon of natural plain yoghurt. This helps them to mix into the bath water.

Inhalation is also effective. Put one or two drops of relaxing oil onto a handkerchief and tuck it inside your pillow to help you sleep.

A combination of essential oils may be used.

Essential Oils for Sleep
A relaxing bath with essential oils of Roman camomile and geranium will help a person to unwind before sleep. A glass of camomile tea will complete the process.
A relaxant effect may be provided by oils of camomile, lavender, neroli, rose, and marjoram. Add a few drops to your bathwater or sprinkle a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale.

Rose (Rosa damascena)
Rose is relaxing and soothing. It is an aphrodisiac, nervous and digestive tonic, and helps menstruation. Rose is non-toxic, and non-irritant.
Rose is useful for the treatment of: Insomnia, nervous tension, depression, headaches, painful periods, nausea, asthma, Loss of sex drive.
Sandalwood (santalum album)
Sandalwood is relaxing, aphrodisiac and antidepressant, expectorant, calms digestion. It is non-toxic, and non-irritant.
Useful for: Insomnia, depression, nervous tension, catarrh, colic.
Sweet marjoram (Origanum marjarana)
Sweet marjoram is warming and comforting. It is sedative, aids digestion and nervous functions and is non-toxic and non-irritant.
Sweet marjoram is useful for the treatment of: Insomnia, anxiety, colds, catarrh, intestinal spasms, muscular and joint pain, headaches.
Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata genuine)
Ylang ylang is relaxing, aphrodisiac, antidepressant, tones the nervous system, and lowers blood pressure. It is non-toxic, and non-irritant.
Ylang ylang is useful for the treatment of: Insomnia, depression, stress, nervous tension, excitability.

These articles are collected from various sources which I have uncovered in my travels. I hope that you may find them helpful. The oils mentioned may be bought in my shop!

Hydrotherapy: warm baths

Magnets: use magnetic pillow or pad for sedating effect

Meditation

The following essential oils may be useful for management of sleep:

Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)
Benzoin is sedative, warming, and relaxing.
It is useful for: Sleeplessness caused by worry, emotional exhaustion, tension, bronchitis, and coughs.
Caution: Some people may be sensitive to this oil.
German and Roman chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemele nobile)
Chamomile calms nerves and stomach, induces sleep, and is especially good for children.
Useful for: Insomnia, anxiety.
Caution: Can cause dermatitis in some people.
Jasmine (Jasminum officinalis)
Jasmine is relaxing and soothing, antidepressant, sedative, aphrodisiac, and expectorant. It is non-toxic, and non-irritant.
Useful for: Insomnia, depression, apathy, nervous exhaustion, stress, catarrh, breathing difficulties.

Lavender (Lavendula officinalis)
Lavender is calming, soothing to nerves and digestion, anti-depressant, pain-relieving, and lowers blood pressure. It is non-toxic, and non-irritant.
Lavender is useful for: Insomnia, tension, depression, headache, catarrh, stomach cramps, shock, earache.
Melissa (Lemon balm, Melissa officinalis)
Melissa is relaxing and uplifting, lowers blood pressure, and helps digestion, menstruation, and nervous system.
Melissa is useful for: Insomnia, nervous tension, depression, high blood pressure, indigestion, coughs, colds, shock, anxiety.
Caution: Use small amounts only as skin irritation is possible.
Neroli (Citrus aurantium amara)
Neroli is very relaxing, non-toxic, and non-irritant.
It is useful for: Insomnia caused by anxiety, depression, irritability, panic, shock.

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Homeopathy: windflower, nux vomica, arsenicum album-1 tablet before bed for 10 days or until improved

Often the key to successful treatments lies in the focusing upon some part or function of the body that is experiencing problems. Hypnotics and nerviness can be used within the context of such treatments. These can be selected based on the role they play upon the system in question. A list of systems and possible remedies is suggested as follows: