Herbal Teas That Are Used To Help With Sleep

The market is full of herbal teas for sleep problems like insomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by chronic problems falling asleep, staying asleep or only sleeping for several hours and being wake unable to fall back to sleep. It is typically followed by functional impairment while awake.

It can be caused by another disorder, by changes in the sleep environment, by the timing of sleep, or by stress. Researchers do not know exactly why people need sleep, but we do know that lack of sleep can kill. Humans deprived of sleep for long periods begin hallucinating and develop other mental problems.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is an herb that has been long used as a remedy for insomnia. Some studies suggest that like conventional sleeping pills, valerian may affect levels of the calming neurotransmitter GABA.

Unlike many other sleep medications, valerian is not believed to be addictive or cause grogginess in the morning. But valerian doesn’t work for everyone. Side effects of valerian may include mild indigestion, headache, palpitations, and dizziness.

Kava is an anti-anxiety herb that may be helpful for anxiety-related insomnia. However, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory to consumers about the potential risk of severe liver injury resulting from the use of dietary supplements containing kava. To date, there have been more than 25 reports of serious adverse effects from kava use in other countries, including four patients who required liver transplants.

Professional herbalists do not prescribe herbs simply to treat symptoms such as insomnia but aim to correct the imbalances within the body that cause those symptoms. For example, sedative herbs such as hops and valerian are used to relax the nervous system so that you enjoy natural, restorative sleep. Each herb contains a variety of active constituents and has a main action and several subsidiary actions which determine the conditions for which it is most appropriate.

Numerous plants have sedative action. Plants commonly prescribed as aids in promoting sleep include: passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), hops (Humulus lupulus), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla).

Unless otherwise specified, for insomnia, take one or two cupfuls of an infusion or decoction in the evening about 30-60 minutes before bedtime. If you wake up at night, you can go ahead and take an additional cup. Where a remedy that will not make you drowsy is indicated for conditions associated with insomnia, you can take it three times a day.

There is also a tea made with favor mint, lemonbalm, chamomile, and some herbalist put in catnip.

Reduce the dosage of herbs taken by mouth by a quarter for children under five years old and by a half for children under twelve. One must consult a professional herbalist and also his doctor before administering any herbs to children.


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This post was written by admin on March 8, 2010

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COUPLES PRODUCTS FOR A SOUND NIGHT'S SLEEP

Does your partner snore?Has his nightly symphony kept you awake and disrupted your own sleep? You are not alone. A big percentage of the population snores at least occasionally. Snoring all or part of the time, according to one study, 41 percent of the men and 28 percent of the women. Snoring tends to get worse with age. Don’t worry there are products that can help each of you get a sound night of sleep.

 

Snoring is a very common occurrence. As you fall asleep, the soft tissues along the airway from your nose to your windpipe narrows and vibrate as you breathe. Fifty percent of the time, the snorer is getting a sound night's sleep, and it's only a difficulty for someone else who's sleeping in the same bed. However, the really loud, earsplitting kind of snoring that keeps others up in the next room is usually an indicator of something more serious. Snoring may be an indication of a serious problem, not just annoying is may prove to be obstructive sleep apnea.

 

WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO SNORING – A VARIETY OF FACTORS INCLUDING:

  • Your mouth anatomy. A narrow throat, a cleft palate, enlarged adenoids and other physical attributes which contribute to snoring can be hereditary
  • Alcohol consumption. Limit alcohol consumption before bedtime. Alcohol loosens throat muscles and limits your natural defenses against airway obstruction.
  • Nasal problems. Chronic nasal congestion or a crooked partition (deviated nasal septum) between your nostrils may be to blame.
  • Sleep apnea. When your throat tissues obstruct your airway, preventing you from breathing this is a serious condition. Sleep apnea is often characterized by loud snoring followed by periods of silence that can last 10 seconds or more. Sometimes, while still snoring, the airway becomes so small that the airflow is inadequate for your needs but complete obstruction does not occur. Sooner or later, the deficiency of oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide signal you to wake up, forcing your airway open with a loud grunt or noisy gasping sounds. This pattern may be repeated many times during the night.
  • Allergies, asthma, a cold, or sinus infections – Blocked airways make inhalation difficult and create a vacuum in the throat, leading to snoring
  • Being middle-aged or beyond - As you age, your throat becomes narrower, and the muscle tone in your throat decreases.
  • Being male - Men have narrower air passages than women and are more likely to snore.
  • Being overweight or out of shape – Fatty tissue and poor muscle tone contribute to snoring.
  • A history of smoking – Smoking (or exposure to second-hand smoke) relaxes muscles and creates nasal congestion.
  • Sleeping posture – Sleeping flat on your back allows the flesh of your throat to relax and block the airway.

 

SOME BASIC TIPS TO ALLEVIATE SNORING ARE:

  • Sleep on your side
  • Elevate the head of your bed
  • Limit alcohol and medications
  • Clear your nasal passages
  • Lose weight

Snoring can get in the way of a good night’s sleep and a healthy relationship with your spouse or partner. Before you resort to separate bedrooms there are products that help. Mild snoring that isn't ssociated with sleep apnea acts well with OTC natural remedies.

For Him: Snore Hush throat spray is a quick and easy remedy for those who are sleep deprived due to moderate or excessive snoring. This specially formulated throat spray uses Glycerin, which loosens vibrating throat tissues to decrease the frequency of snoring. The designated nozzle spray effectively delivers the spray to where needed most. Be geared up to have much quieter nights so that you wake up feeling more re-energized and revitalized.

For Her: Ambiatol is a sleep aid supplement to treat insomnia. This sleep aid contains a proprietary blend to promote sleep, and Valerian, Melatonin, Passion Flower, it eases jet lag, and provides temporary relief for people having trouble falling and staying asleep.

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This post was written by admin on June 21, 2009

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Should You Use Sleeping Pills for Insomnia?

We all need to get a good night’s sleep in order to function properly. Sleep is necessary for our general well being. It stops us from feeling tired during the daytime. It’s essential to your mental wellness and is critical for boosting your immune system. People who have difficulty sleeping at night frequently decide to take some sleeping pills.

Every person has unique circumstances, and there is a variety of medications that target each particular problem. Some pills simply help you to fall to sleep, some ensure that you sleep soundly through the night and some will do both. With all this choice you will most likely find an insomnia remedy that works well for you without experiencing any unwanted side effects.

The historical reasons for people being cautious about taking sleeping pills are concerns about overdosing or becoming addicted. Today’s sleeping pills, however, are considerably less habit forming than the medications of old. And the chances of a lethal overdose are much reduced. A common complaint in the past has been that sleeping pills cause drowsiness the following day. But the newer sleeping pills on the market today are formulated to combat this.

Even though less risky than sleeping pills of the past, there are still some dangers associated with today’s medication. These risks vary depending on the drug being taken. However, blurry vision, dizziness and interaction with other medications and alcohol may be experienced.

Sleeping pills have been known to be a factor in circumstances where people fell asleep while driving. Another problem is that sleeping pills tend to induce a deep sleep. So if there’s an emergency in the night, like a fire, you might not be able to wake up. Obviously, this is dangerous for both the patient and the people in their environment.

Insomnia medication isn’t a good strategy for long term management of a sleep disorder. They can be quite effective for short term use, but they don’t address the underlying problems that are causing your sleepless nights. Even though they are not habit forming by nature, it may be necessary to continue taking them to see an improvement in sleep patterns.

Even though insomnia medication can help you get a good night’s sleep, it needs to be utilized only in extreme circumstances. There are a variety of options that are cheap or free that you should look into first. If they work for you, not only will they save you money but they will eliminate most of the risks as well.

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This post was written by admin on May 6, 2009

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