Overcome Insomnia With Sleep Herbs   by Sandy Rutherforde

in Health / Supplements and Vitamins    (submitted 2012-02-09)

Sleep herbs as compared to prescription drugs are a beneficial choice for individuals suffering from insomnia. Herbal medicines are generally harmless and do not have any major side effects. There are a wide variety of herbal plants that are especially cultivated for use in medicinal extracts. The herbs primarily are composed of active and relaxant constituents that help to overcome various sleeping disorders. In addition, such medicines even rectify any imbalances within the body.

Different Varieties

Valerian is generally administered as a mild sedative. The root emits a pungent smell and is usually mixed with kava kava, an anti-anxiety medicinal plant for long-term effects. It is available as a supplement and reduces the time taken to get into a deep sleep. Besides sleeping disorders, it is also being used to treat other ailments such as distress, hyperactive problems, epileptic seizures, and gastrointestinal spasms.

Chamomile is another variety of sleep herbs recommended for patients with transient insomnia. It is sold in the form of vitamin pills, creams, and nasal sprays. It can even be brewed as tea. The plant helps to relieve symptoms and physical disorders related to mild insomnia. It enables a person to attain instant sleep and also works as an excellent digestive aid. In addition, the herb alleviates any discomfort owing to menstrual cramps.

Jatamansi is a root used for treating sleeplessness and mental instability. It is mostly used in Ayurvedic formulations and Unani medicines. The root extracts are suitable for both internal and external use. The paste when applied externally lowers inflammation and burning sensations caused from severe injuries. When taken internally it eases migraine headaches, memory loss, and also regulates high blood pressure. Further, it is beneficial to lessen muscular weakness and general problems that are caused from a disturbed sleep-wake cycle.

The Passionflower herb promotes an antispasmodic and sedative action that induces a good sleeping pattern. It helps a person to wake up feeling refreshed and alert in the mornings. It also holds the ability to overcome a range of other health issues such as restlessness, aggressiveness, spasmodic asthma, seizures, menopause symptoms, rheumatic pains, stomach upset, and heart palpitations. Use of this herb also provides antifungal and antibacterial effects to the body.

Skullcap is another of the powerful herbal medicines. It contains many effective constituents like volatile oils, catalpol, scutellarin, tannins and bitter iriodis. It is increasingly used in alternative medicines as a sedative, astringent, antispasmodic, nervine and anti-inflammatory. The plant is clinically proven to be suitable for mental and nerve disorders. However, the herb cannot be administered to pregnant women as it could lead to late miscarriage. The above mentioned sleep herbs can be used as an aid to promote restorative sleep.

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Are you looking for help with insomnia? Be sure to visit Sleep Tips for information on what is valerian and "help me sleep" tips.