Natural Sleep Remedies
Some of these insomnia remedies may be just what the Doctor ordered
There are several natural sleep remedies that are highly beneficial to those that experience complications like insomnia when it is time to sleep.
In my practice, I have encountered many patients that suffer from sleep problems. As a matter of fact, approximately forty percent of all of the adults that I see experience some degree of insomnia. This is not at all surprising considering that one out of every three individuals will experience insomnia at one time or another during their lifetime.
While there have been more than two hundred individual sleep disorders discovered by medical professionals throughout history, the most common that I have personally treated in my patients include insomnia, delayed sleep phase syndrome, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome.
Regardless of the sleep complication that you suffer from, you are sure to benefit from natural sleep remedies. In this guide, you will learn more about these sleep solutions.
Why You NEED Sleep
In order to appreciate the natural sleep remedies that I will cover in this health guide, I feel it is first important to expound on the reasons behind why we need sleep.
It is important to realize that even the best and most educated of all medical professionals do not completely understand the overall importance of sleep, and yet it is something that all humans and animals, insects, fish etc do.
However, what we DO know is that it is an anabolic based process. Sleep permits the body to restore its energy and effectively repair itself.
According to studies, a growth hormone is released and secreted throughout the body during sleep. While this assists in growth for children, it is considered important for adults because it assists in rebuilding the tissues of the body.
In addition to this, sleep assists in optimizing our cognitive functions such as concentration, memory and focus.
Sleep deprivation not only affects us on a physiological level, it also affects us on a psychological level. The bottom line is that you need sleep.
If you are suffering from sleep disturbances, it is imperative that you learn about the natural sleep remedies that will be presented throughout this guide.
Sleep Aids – What You Need to Know
If you experience problems falling asleep, staying asleep and/or getting enough sleep, it is quite likely that you have evaluated at least some sleep aids already.
There are, literally, countless forms of aids available on the market today. The most common aids include over-the-counter pills that are designed to induce sleep and prescription sleeping pills.
Unfortunately, these products use synthetic substances that, when combined, produce sleep.
According to medical reports, many individuals have suffered from unfortunate side effects.
Examples of these include bouts of sleepwalking, violent episodes, mild to severe hallucinations, daily drowsiness and similar symptoms.
By using natural sleep remedies, you can successfully reduce the possibility of experiencing these troublesome, and potentially dangerous, side effects.
Popular Natural Sleep Remedies
As mentioned previously, there are numerous natural sleep remedies available today. You just have to learn what they are and how to harness their power.
When listening to my patients describes their experiences when they can’t sleep, it often seems as if their mind is on a mental treadmill.
These patients are often bombarded with an immense number of thoughts – which consistently just whiz around and around in their head. They simply cannot stop thinking once they are lying in bed.
Sometimes, these thoughts surround events and situations in their life, while other times these thoughts are related to worries.
As a result, their minds prevent them from sleeping.
Natural sleep remedies help to slow the mind and allow you to get off the mental treadmill. The following highlights the most popular natural sleep remedies:
Bach Flowers for The Mental Treadmill
Many of my patients with sleep complications have benefited from the use of a certain Bach Flower.
This is a liquid flower essence that includes the dilution of an assortment of flower based material.
This non-habit forming natural sleep remedy is not only effective, but fast acting as well.
These essences were created by Edward Bach in the 1930s. While it was originally intended to focus on emotional complications, it was soon discovered to be effective for those experiencing sleep problems, such as insomnia, amongst other things.
The beauty is that as well as being effective, they are completely safe.
White Chestnut
This natural remedy is the Bach “Flower Essence” that helps with the Mental Treadmill.
It helps to soothe the mind so that you are able to rid yourself of unwanted thoughts that may disrupt the sleep cycle.
Individuals that experience excessive worry, racing thoughts and other complications may very well benefit from the use of this product.
Melatonin
The body’s pineal gland creates a hormone called “Melatonin” that controls the sleep and wake cycles of the body.
There are many food products that contain this substance as well. Examples are meats, vegetables and grains.
However, many individuals elect to purchase supplements. In most instances, the normal melatonin levels in the body start to rise in the late evening hours.
However, in some people, this production rate is low. As a result, they suffer from sleep problems. By increasing the amount of this substance in the body, more sound sleep should occur.
Valerian
In my practice, I prescribe the use of this herb in place of the common benzodiazepine drugs that are often prescribed for insomnia and similar sleep related conditions.
When evaluating natural sleep remedies, you will find that this is one of the most commonly used.
In addition to assisting with sleep, I have found that this substance is also effective for individuals that experience nervous tension, high levels of stress and varying degrees of excitability. It is an all round "calmer of the nerves".
Chamomile
If you suffer from insomnia and other types of sleep disturbances, you will that Chamomile is highly beneficial.
In the past, medical professionals and those that study natural remedies discovered that this natural herb was highly beneficial for gynecologic issues such as premenstrual syndrome and abdominal cramping and bloating.
In addition to this, it was discovered that the herb acted as an anti-inflammatory remedy.
However, as it became used more and more widely, patients started discovering that it had a way of calming the nerves and it successfully induced sleep.
If you suffer from nervous tension, excessive levels of stress and issues such as insomnia, you will thoroughly appreciate the benefits of this natural sleep product.
Passion Flower
When researching natural sleep remedies, you will find that many individuals also enjoy the benefits of Passion Flower.
The medicinal components of this plant include the actual plant as well as the flower. The plant is dried and then collected once the berries reach maturity. The flower is then dried too.
There have been many different studies conducted on both people and animals with this remedy. In these studies, it was established that this natural herb produces a sedative effect that is mild in nature.
Once ingested, the subjects of the studies not only fell asleep, but experienced a deep, restorative rest.
Ginseng
When researching natural sleep remedies, it is not often that you stumble across Ginseng. This is mostly because of the fact that individuals associate this natural herb with energy and alertness.
The truth of the matter is, Ginseng is also associated with maintaining normal wake and sleep cycles.
In other words, you may take the substance in the morning hours in order to experience wakefulness, but it has the capability of ensuring that the body is regulated.
Therefore, as the night hours approach, individuals that take it are able to fall asleep naturally.
The goal of Ginseng is to ensure a level of balance within the body. This means that it also helps to ensure the proper amount of rest is achieved by the body.
If you are interested in taking Ginseng, it is important that you take it regularly during the day – not close to bed time. Taking it too close to bed time could actually inhibit sleep.
Wild Lettuce
Out of all of the natural sleep remedies available, this is, perhaps, one of the most interesting.
The leaves of this plant are considered to be extremely bitter. However, they contain a milky substance that is often referred to as “Lettuce Opium”.
This substance acts as a sedative to the body.
As a result, it helps to calm complications such as anxiety and restlessness. Once these issues are calmed, it helps to induce sleep in those that experience problems in this area.
As you can see from the information contained within this guide, there are many different types of natural sleep remedies.
When choosing a natural product for sleep complications, it is important that whatever you select,you use the product in moderation.
Furthermore, it is important to research sleep remedies that are specific to your particular sleep problems.
All natural remedies are considered to be safe as long as they are used according to the instructions associated with that particular product.
Unlike standard over-the-counter and prescription sleep aides, you will not find yourself suffering from undesirable and/or potentially dangerous side effects such as violent outbursts, hallucinations, gastrointestinal complications, nervous system problems, suicidal thoughts, coma or even death.
Natural remedies are considered to be effective and safe. The patients that I have personally worked with in my practice have benefited from the products outlined in this natural health guide.
If you are interested in natural sleep remedies, these products will assist you as well.
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