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