A Guide to Natural Herbal Sleeping Aids

Many people suffer from sleep disorders of one kind or another. In fact, it is estimated that up to a) 70 million Americans suffer from sleeping disorders and that the United States does not have enough expertise to work with all those people. Some people turn to prescription medicine to help with their sleeping problems. Others turn to herbal remedies. We are going to take a look at a few popular herbal remedies.

First, there is chamomile. This is a very mild sleep enhancing herbal remedy that if often found in a mild tea. You can also get it is a pill form. If you are buying it prepackaged in tea bag, be sure to check the label to ensure that the tea producer did not sneak any caffeine into the tea. Another way to get the chamomile tea is to find a specialized tea shop and get the whole dried flowers. You get a fresher and more pungent flavor that way.

Another herbal remedy that is good to try is bananas and milk. The potassium from the banana's and the protein from the milk interact to produce a drowsy feeling which helps you fall asleep. This solution is fairly well known and it should help you fall already naturally. Try it about one hour before going to bed.

Valerian root is an herbal remedy that you can get in capsule form. It is considered as a mild sedative and a person might need to take it for awhile before the effects are realized. b) There is even a study suggesting that this herbal sleep aid is particular effective. People take these herbal remedy over time and it does not appear to lost its effectiveness. There a few side effects and these tend to be limited to stomach aches and anxiety and you should discontinue use if you suffer from any side effects.

Some people find melatonin an effective way to induce sleep when taken an hour or so before bedtime. c) Melatonin works by telling the body that it should sift into a night time schedule and to prepare to sleep. It helps shifts the bodies cycle into a sleep cycle. It is commonly found in your local health food or drug store so there is no need to mail order if you do not want to. Often it is recommended that you use melatonin in conjunction with light therapy to get your body into the correct cycle.

Lastly there is tryptophan. d) It is one of the essential amino acids and gets converted into serotonin in the brain. Serotonin then help produce a feeling of relaxation and induces sleep. Many people associate it with Thanksgiving turkey and that feeling of drowsiness after the large meal. It comes in various capsule sizes for you to choose the one that works best for you.

Keep in mind that if your sleep problems continue, it may be a sign that you need to consult a physician.

a) News, The National Academies, http://www8.nation1alacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11617

b) S. Bent, Valerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17145239?dopt=AbstractPlus

c) How to Use Melatonin Correctly, Talk About Sleep, http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/circadian-rhythm-disorders/circadian-rhythm-sleep-disorders/10-how-to-use-melatonin-correctly.htm

d) L-Tryptophan - A Sleep and Anti-Depression Aid, Cocoon Nutrition, http://www.cocoonnutrition.org/catalog/page_tryptophan.php