What is a natural herb to make me sleep?

Question

I am tired of taking benadryl to sleep at night, and I don't always have this problem, but when I do it effects me all week long. Like right now, I feel stressed and my eyes are heavy!

Answer 1

valerian root can be used to help sleep. Also chamomile, melatonin, calcium, milk, turkey, and catnip are natural helbs to help with sleep.

Some Natural Herbal and Enzyme Helps

It is important to realize that not all herbals react exactly the same in all individuals and situations. Those included here are only suggestions, taken from real life situations, and you should be cautious when trying anything for yourself. Always discuss your plans with your doctor and take note of any physical or emotional changes. The following information reflects some reports by various individuals.

VALERIAN: often seems to ease tension, calm anxiety, and level out the emotions, all of which will tend to aid sleep. Some people have reported not feeling mentally clear when Valerian was used for the purpose of getting to sleep.

PASSION FLOWER INCENSE: The scent of this incense has been reported to aid sleep, and helps to calm and soothe the emotions.

TEA of valerian, chamomile, and other herbs known for their effect on sleep, often helps ensure longer periods of sleep during the night. Tea doesn't seem to be very effective, however, for helping one to fall asleep.

GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) has been known to work with some people. When it works, though, it often gives you vivid dreams.

Answer 2

You can take valerian, or melatonin. Valerian is the more "natural" of the two, as it is less refined. Benadryl has a lot of side effects, and I have heard of people claiming they felt somewhat addicted to its effects when using it as a sleep aid. So be ready to have a few less-than-perfect nights while trying to quit the benadryl, but persist. If you have ongoing problems sleeping, you need to figure out why, and fix the problems at their sources. Common reasons include excess caffeine consumption, TV/internet watching too late into the evening, and poor sleep hygiene (your room should be dark, quiet and cool, for instance). If you have any health problems, talk to a doctor before taking any herbs or drugs.

Answer 3

Valerian is an herb with sedative properties. However, be aware that just because something is 'natural' doesn't make it safer. It's a drug like anything else, that you can be dependent on, or OD on, so use as directed. If this is a recurring problem, and it sounds like it is, go see your doctor, who can maybe come up with a better solution than lots of sleeping pills.

Answer 4

Lavender is a natural relaxent. Buy some lavender scented candles, or even some lavender essential oils that you can put in a warming dish and it will help you relax, and sleep without having to actually take anything.

You could also get some of the Bedtime bath that Johnson and Johnson puts out for babies, it has lavender in it, and use it at night before you go to bed as a body wash, it really will help you relax and destress and sleep.

But i would go for the oils and warmer or a good candle made with the oils they work wonders.

Answer 5

Jenna...not an herb, but a supplement you can get in the vitamin area called melatonin. Though much more research needs to be done, melatonin is produced naturally by the body, but sometimes it has an "oops". It does not drug you, or make you spaced out the next day...all it does is say to your brain, its time to go to sleep. Its often used for jet lag amoung travelers for this very reason.

Though more research needs to be done on things such as the correct dosage, etc. (start with the least you need to get the sleep message), its not harmful in any way. And yeah, I did ask my doctor about it and he gave it full support. Benedryl is great for allergies, but I know it makes you groggy. Good luck with those "sleepless nights".

Answer 6

Valerian, Melatonin, Hyland's brand Calms Forte

Answer 7

I make a tasty and guaranteed sleep tea aid for my children and I and these are the ingredients. 1 part Passionflower 1 part Chamomile 1 part Hops flowers 1 part Valerian root 1 part Catnip and to taste (generally about 1/4 part): Lemongrass Peppermint Orange Peel ...and of course honey in your prepared tea, if you like. Remember that medicinal teas should be steeped for 10-15 minutes to get the full benefits.

Answer 8

Melatonin it can be bought at most health food stores and drug stores

Some information about it......

Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland in the brain and is important in the regulation of many hormones in the body. Among its key roles, melatonin controls the body's circadian rhythm, an internal 24-hour time-keeping system that plays an important role in when we fall asleep and when we wake up. Darkness stimulates the release of melatonin and light suppresses its activity. Normal melatonin cycles are disrupted when we are exposed to excessive light in the evening or too little light during the daytime. For example, jet lag, shift work, and poor vision can disrupt melatonin cycles. In addition, some experts claim that exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields (as is common in household appliances) may disrupt normal cycles and production of melatonin.

Melatonin is also one of the hormones that controls the timing and release of female reproductive hormones. As a result, melatonin helps determine when menstruation begins, the frequency and duration of menstrual cycles, and when menstruation ends (menopause). Many researchers also believe that levels of melatonin in the body are related to the aging process. For example, young children have the highest levels of nighttime melatonin and these levels are thought to diminish progressively with age. This decline likely contributes to why many older adults suffer from disrupted sleep patterns and tend to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier in the morning than when they were younger. However, emerging research is bringing the idea of diminished melatonin levels in the elderly into some question. Therefore, those considering use of this supplement should first talk to their healthcare provider about having blood levels of melatonin checked.

In addition to its hormone actions, melatonin also has strong antioxidant properties and preliminary evidence suggests that it may help strengthen the immune system. Because melatonin is a potent hormone, it's advisable to check with a healthcare provider before using it as an antioxidant supplement.

Answer 9

I either take chamomile tea or I take a homeopathic sleep aid (all `natural) called Calms Forte by Hyland's. I buy it at Walgreen's. It's a small bottle. Sleep tight !

Answer 10

Chamomile works well. Sage also is nice. I wouldnt touch Kava Kava though...as it has caffeine in it.

If you can get a decaf version of Blackberry Sage tea...that gives you a nice turn toward sleep.