People suffering from insomnia often wake up and cannot fall asleep again or cannot fall asleep at all. It causes disruption of the daily cycle so that insomniacs replace day and night (if they are capable of falling asleep at all). Insomnia leads to great mental and physical exhaustion and drastically reduces concentration. If it persists, it can become chronic and lead to permanent sleep loss, which can have serious consequences.
It can be a result of stress, indications for medication, emotional distress, some mental or physical illness, allergies or poor sleeping habits. It is one of the main symptoms of mania in people suffering from bipolar disorder and can be a symptom of thyroid hyperactivity, depression, and various other physical discomforts with stimulating effects.
People suffering from insomnia should avoid caffeine in any form. Caffeine is a common cause of insomnia, including insomnia observed in night shift workers. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, cocoa, walnut (this includes all drinks); it was also found in energy drinks, then in chocolate and various sweets. Instead of caffeine-containing beverages, drink herbal teas or plain water.
The bedroom should be comfortable for sleeping. While some people are sensitive to light, some are sensitive to noise. The bedroom should be dark and quiet during the night. Do not use the bedroom for activities other than sleeping. Also, keep a regular schedule of going to sleep and waking up. Avoid nap during the day.
Sometimes insomnia is a symptom of the emotional problems a person avoids facing. Dissatisfaction with your lifestyle or avoiding coping can also lead to insomnia. Patients suffering from clinical depression may also suffer from insomnia.
What is Medical Herbalism?
It is the science of applying plants for medicinal purposes. It has been known to mankind for thousands of years. Many herbs can cure a variety of health problems without the side effects of medication. Also called phytomedicine. Since our topic today is sleep problems, we will present to you the natural remedies for this problem that every medical herbalist would recommend. If you want more in-depth counseling, visit the Tonic Natural Health website.
1. Passiflora
Passiflora is the passion fruit plant and just like lemon balm, this medicinal plant has been used for many years to aid in the treatment of insomnia. Although there are still few studies with the use of this plant for insomnia, many of its substances have great potential to help in treatment.
This natural plant contains a flavonoid compound called chrysin, which has been shown to exert a strong action on benzodiazepine receptors, which are the same receptors used by pharmacy anti-anxiety medications, which cause relaxation and help sleep. In addition, in studies in mice, the passiflora extract was a great help in prolonging sleep time.
Ingredients:
6 g of passiflora;
1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation method:
Mix the water with the passiflora and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Then let cool, strain and drink about 30 minutes before sleeping. Many times, passiflora can be added to valerian tea, for example, for a stronger effect.
2. Hops
Hops is the same plant that is used in beer production, but in tea form it has been shown to have a positive effect against insomnia. Its action is related to its ability to prevent the breakdown of GABA, a substance that helps in the relaxation of the nervous system, in addition to improving the action of melatonin receptors, enhancing the effect of the main hormone responsible for sleep.
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of hops;
1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation method:
Add the hops in boiling water and let stand for approximately 10 minutes. Then strain and drink 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. This tea should not be used in pregnant women without the supervision of a doctor or herbalist.
3. Lavender
Lavender has long been used to treat insomnia, nerve disease and indigestion. Put it in warm, relaxing baths that provide a restful sleep. You can also make lavender tea. In addition to relaxing muscles, calming nervousness and anxiety, lavender tea works well in cases of sleep disorders.
It is easy to prepare and fast. Pour two teaspoons of lavender flowers over a cup of boiling water, let stand for ten minutes and strain. Sweeten the tea with honey and drink two cups a day, one before bedtime.
4. Thyme
Medicinal ingredients of thyme are found in leaf and flower, and in the treatment of insomnia are assisted by thymol and carvacrol, its essential oils that relax the muscles. Because it contains easily volatile ingredients, thyme tea should be stored in a lidded container, otherwise it will not have medicinal properties.
Prepare the tea as follows: Pour over a tablespoon of thyme in two deciliters of boiling water, cover and leave for half an hour. When the tea is cool, strain it and drink it. If you can’t handle the bitterness, sweeten with a teaspoon of honey.
5. Primula vulgaris
This plant grows in mountainous areas, on sunny slopes, in meadows and bushes, and is used to treat many ailments. Tea made from lamb root is considered to be an extremely soothing agent that also helps with insomnia.
Pour a teaspoon of dried Primula vulgaris root into a deciliter of cold water and bring to a boil.
Drink at least three cups of tea a day. You can also use Primula vulgaris in combination with lavender and cantarion. Mix 50 grams of Primula vulgarise, 25 grams of lavender flowers and 10 grams of cantarion, pour over half a liter of boiling water and leave for three minutes.
6. Valerian
Valerian root is mainly used as a herbal sleep aid. The herb has been shown to provide improved quality of sleep and longer sleep without having a “hangover” feeling in the morning, as so many synthetic drugs used to treat insomnia do.
Some clinical studies suggest that valerian should be used two to four weeks before the situation improves.
Conclusion:
Before reaching for medications that can often be more harmful than beneficial to you, consider using natural remedies. This can help you with the problem without endangering the health of other organs.
