| If you have ever had a difficult time | | | | capsule form. |
| sleeping, or even getting to sleep, this | | | | |
| article will contain invaluable information | | | | Passion flower has a tranquilizing effect, |
| that will help to enable you to get the best | | | | including mild sedative and anti-anxiety |
| night's sleep you have ever had, without the | | | | effects. In studies conducted since the |
| use of drugs, over the counter sleep aides, | | | | 1930's, its mode of action has been found to |
| or prescription medication. | | | | be different than that of most sedative drugs |
| | | | (sleeping pills), thus making it a |
| There are four main herbs that can be hugely | | | | non-addictive herb to promote relaxation. In |
| beneficial to the insomniac. Taken alone, or | | | | many countries in Europe, the U.S. and |
| in combinations with each other, these herbs | | | | Canada, the use of passionflower leaves to |
| are said to have homeopathic value as sleep | | | | tranquilize and settle edgy nerves has been |
| aides. With that being said, I am not a | | | | documented for over 200 years. You may also |
| doctor nor pharmacist, and these herbs have | | | | be familiar with Passion Fruit, which grows |
| not been evaluated by the FDA, nor have they | | | | from the same vine that produces Passion |
| been scientifically proven to cure any | | | | Flower. You can also make a hot tea from |
| illness. (That's just for the legal beagles | | | | Passion Flowers, buy it in capsule form, or |
| out there). | | | | purchase Passion Flower Extract in |
| | | | concentrated form for dosages. |
| The four herbs are: Valerian, Hops, Passion | | | | |
| Flower (or Passion Flower Extract), and | | | | Finally, there is catnip. Yes, the same herb |
| Catnip. | | | | that makes your cats act with temporary |
| | | | insanity, can help you to sleep! While it |
| Valerian is a very "stinky" herb, and I would | | | | makes cats hyper and extremely active, it |
| highly suggest if you are going to take it, | | | | causes the opposite reaction in human beings. |
| to find it in pill or capsule form. Dried | | | | Catnip is part of the mint family, and makes |
| Valerian Root has been variously described as | | | | an incredibly tasty hot tea. Simply drinking |
| smelling like: "trash", "baby diapers", | | | | a cup of hot catnip tea before bedtime can |
| "dirty socks", and "like rotten cheese". So | | | | calm most people down. Catnip is a mild |
| unless you are of a strong stomach, I would | | | | tranquilizer and sedative. It is most often |
| recommend pill form. However, Valerian Root | | | | used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and |
| is the absolute strongest of the "sleep | | | | nervousness. The sedating effect may also |
| herbs". It's effects in higher doses has | | | | help lessen migraine headaches. It is the |
| been compared to the effects of Valium by | | | | least sedating of the four sleep herbs, |
| some. In addition to sleep disorders, | | | | however when used in conjunction with the |
| valerian has been used for gastrointestinal | | | | other three it can produce significant |
| spasms and distress, epileptic seizures, and | | | | effects! Nepetalactone, the major component |
| attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. | | | | of catnip (Nepeta cataria) volatile oil and |
| However, scientific evidence is not | | | | the component that induces euphoria in cats, |
| sufficient to support the use of valerian for | | | | is thought to be responsible for catnip's |
| these conditions. Valerian is not | | | | sedative effects. It is chemically related to |
| recommended if you are pregnant, or if you | | | | the valepotriates that occur in valerian. |
| suffer from low blood pressure or | | | | |
| hypoglycemia. | | | | So now that you know the four major sleep |
| | | | herbs, you can use them to promote better, |
| Hops, the main ingredient in beer, is a | | | | longer, and more restful sleep! Be sure to |
| wonderful sleep herb. Hops have tonic, | | | | read the labels on the bottle before taking |
| nervine, diuretic and anodyne properties. | | | | the herbs (if bought in pill form) or do |
| Their volatile oil produces sedative and | | | | research to find out what dosage is |
| soporific effects, and the Lupamaric acid or | | | | appropriate for you. If you are currently |
| bitter principle is stomachic and tonic. For | | | | taking other sleep aides of any form, please |
| this reason Hops improve the appetite and | | | | ask a doctor before using these herbs. Used |
| promote sleep. American Indians made a | | | | in conjunction with each other, these four |
| sedative from the blossoms, and they also | | | | herbs can produce very powerful tranquilizing |
| applied heated, dried flowers to relieve | | | | effects. While scientific studies on these |
| toothaches. Many herbal preparations for | | | | herbs have been sketchy (as with all herbal |
| insomnia combine Hops with more potent | | | | remedies), there is good reason to believe |
| sedative herbs, such as valerian. Hops can | | | | that these remedies have some basis in fact. |
| be made into a soothing hot tea, or taken in | | | | |