Insomnia is one of the most common sleeping disorders in the world. Millions of people end up dealing with it at some point in their lives; sometimes, it is triggered by increased stress or situations in one’s personal life. At other times, it can be caused by health problems and requires medical attention to be alleviated. Despite that, however, many people prefer to avoid prescription sleep aids whenever possible.
Herbal remedies are more popular than ever for all sorts of problems, and insomnia is no exception. There are tons of products on the market today that are geared toward helping with insomnia. If you prefer herbal remedies over harsher treatments, you will be pleasantly surprised by the huge number of options. But how do you know which herbal remedy is right for you?
Common causes for insomnia
There are many different potential causes of insomnia. Basically, these can be broken into three categories: physical problems, psychological issues and extenuating circumstances. If you are dealing with insomnia and are thinking about using an herbal remedy to manage it, you should first step back and take a look at your specific case. For example, has something recently happened in your life that might be making sleep elusive? Insomnia can be triggered by major life events like a death in the family or a new job. Temporary situations like jet lag and certain medications can also cause insomnia to crop up.
At other times, deeper problems lie behind insomnia. Chronic anxiety, for instance, is a very common cause of this problem. If you are currently being treated for anxiety, you should tell your doctor about the trouble you are having with sleep. He or she might suggest an herbal remedy to help make sleep come more easily for you. Depression can also cause a lot of sleepless nights that segue into full fledged insomnia. You might lie awake at night feeling down about your life. This can create a vicious cycle, and some herbal remedies might help.
Finally, physical conditions can trigger insomnia. This is very common, and many of them can be managed with herbal remedies. Decreased levels of the hormone called melatonin can cause insomnia, and many herbal remedies contain melatonin to address this issue. Hormonal fluctuations in women – especially those associated with menopause – can create issues with insomnia. Chronic pain due to various medical conditions can also play a role in insomnia, and might be managed with an herbal remedy.
Herbal remedies to combat insomnia
There are many different options available when it comes to herbal remedies for insomnia. By keeping an open mind and trying as many as possible, you have a far better chance of successfully fighting your insomnia.
Chamomile is one of the best known herbal remedies for insomnia and is typically taken in tea for before bedtime. You can brew chamomile tea quite easily; since it’s all natural, there are few side effects to worry about.
Hops are another commonly used herbal remedy for insomnia and can be placed inside a pillow to induce sleepiness, or drank as a tea, or be part of a natural sleep aid.
Conversely, while both bad tasting and smelling, many find valerian root for their insomnia helpful.
Others prefer the herbal remedy known as skull cap. Like most other herbal remedies, skull cap may be mixed as a tea. It’s important to note that none of these herbal remedies have been definitively shown to cure or treat insomnia.
Best remedy for insomnia
Finding the right herbal remedy for dealing with your insomnia can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. The vast majority of people end up discovering that melatonin is the best and true way to combat insomnia.
Melatonin
As we age, our levels of melatonin begin going down. By taking an herbal remedy that includes melatonin, you can get its levels back up and get to sleep easier; you will also sleep more soundly and for a longer amount of time.
5-HTP
Recently, many have found that herbal remedies including 5HTP are quite helpful as well.
If possible, seek out an herbal remedy that includes melatonin and 5HTP for maximum results. To get a better idea about the best products available to treat insomnia, check out the sleep aid reviews.
