Natural Cures For Insomnia 

Many people with insomnia turn to herbal or natural cures to avoid prolonged use of medication and sedatives which brings various side effects. Herbal remedies such as valerian root , kava kava and chamomile have been used for years as insomnia treatments. Although the effectiveness of these herbs is not documented, some people have used them successfully with not side effects. However, it should be noted that the effectiveness of these herbs are not the same for everyone. Therefore it is best to consult a homeopathic expert if you are not sure about the herb. Here are some herbs which are commonly used to cure insomnia:

Valerian

Valerian is a type of herb prepared from the roots of the plant which is used for its sedating and anxiolytic effect. Valerian has been used as medicinal herb since the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Valerian is best used for insomnia and other sleep disorders, as well as for restlessness and anxiety. Valerian is best taken for a longer period of time (several weeks) before one sees any effect. Valerian is often recommended as transition medication after discontinuation of insomnia drugs. Valerian does not lose effectiveness over time. While Valerian is effective as a remedy for insomnia and anxiety, it has been reported to cause headaches in some individuals. This could be due to some people lack a certain digestive conversion property necessary to break down Valerian.

Passionflower

The roots and leaves of passionflower have a long history of usage by native Americans. The fresh or dried leaves are used to make infusion which is used to treat insomnia, anxiety, hysteria and epilepsy due to its anti-depressant and painkilling properties.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a popular gentle natural sleep aid. It can be taken as herbal tea with 2 teaspoons of dried flowers for one cup of tea. The active ingredients are essential oils such as chamazulene, flavonoids and coumarin.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a popular natural remedy for insomnia. It helps insomniacs to fall asleep when their sleep/wake cycle is disturbed such as the situation with shift workers and travelers. Melatonin is a hormone which can be found in the human body. Serotonin is produced by the pineal gland in the brain which is transformed to melatonin at night. Melatonin should be taken 30 minutes before bedtime for best effect. There is no known side effects of long term use of melatonin. However, this is not suitable for pregnant and nursing mothers, people with clinical depression and schizophrenia.

Kava

Kava is especially helpful to treat insomnia which is caused by depression. However the FDA has cautioned consumers of the potential risk of sever liver injury from using the supplements which contain kava.