Herbs for Insomnia: A Natural Way to Combat Anxiety and Worry

Our worries are becoming an increasing part of our inner talk. The constant bombardment of bad news from the media about gas prices, job layoffs, the sub-prime crises, and natural disasters around the world do nothing to help ease our minds when we go to sleep at night. One thing isn't new then- sleeplessness otherwise known as insomnia. Just as long as sleeplessness has been around, so has the practice of using herbs to combat insomnia for a good night's sleep. If you're trying to live a lifestyle without adding on all the new latest medications to combat insomnia, here are some of the most recommended herbs to help you sleep peacefully.

Valerian: The Insomnia Herb

Most of the time when you purchase over the counter sleeping pills, they contain the ingredient benzodiazepine. This ingredient is what causes the slightly hung-over feeling the next day that makes it hard for you to accomplish your daily tasks. In one study, researchers compared the effects of Valerian and other herbs for insomnia against benzodiazepine and found more positives to the herbs for insomnia than over the counter drugs. Through their research, they found that Valerian was effective in helping participants reach a deeper level of sleep and avoid the sleepiness caused by over the counter drugs the next day.

Passionflower: An Insomnia Herb from the Rainforest

In Europe, when purchasing herbal remedies for insomnia, you're bound to come across the herb Passionflower while shopping. First discovered in 1569 by a Spanish doctor exploring Peru, this herb has now been studied by modern science for over 200 years to document it's sedative effects. Many doctors these days are prescribing serotonin supplements to help their insomnia patients but you'd be surprised to know that Passionflower contains naturally occurring serotonin which is just one reason why this herb is suitable for insomnia sufferers. In addition, Passionflower is also a source for chrysin, a type of flavonoid, that can have a positive effect on decreasing anxiety.

Mulungu: The Natural Sedative

Though largely unmentioned by the press, this Amazon herb is currently being used worldwide to counter the effects of insomnia. Mulungu has proven to be most effective in reducing anxiety, which can be the cause of night after night without sleep barring any other physical conditions that would cause insomnia. Practicing herbalists have also shown that Mulungu can be effective in larger doses to help out patients who have experienced severe trauma. The effectiveness of this herb on insomnia seems to come from regulating and soothing the natural response the body has to anxiety. What this means is that Mulungu can't take away your financial worries but it can stop your body from getting worked up, the feeling that causes you to toss and turn during the night.

When selecting herbs for insomnia, it's best to take the time to discuss this information with a professional herbalist. Instead of just diagnosing you with insomnia, they will be able to help treat the imbalances that are occurring in your body due to stress and anxiety so that you can experience deeper and more peaceful sleep in the long term as well as the short.