What is the best natural sleep aid?

Answer 1

Kava kava is more sublte and Melatonin is a bit stronger. Try to get to sleep without first, fresh air, change you pillows etc. However, Melatonin has other benefits, investigate it see if it suits you.

Answer 2

Hi there,

There are quite a few herbal alternatives for sleep aid. Melatonin has already been mentioned. I've never been a fan of it: I often wake up in the middle of the night and then can't get back to sleep and even if I have had a full 8 hours rest I found I'd wake up and really feel groggy. I prefer either Valarian or Passion Flower. Valarian is a muscle relaxant but has been used as a sleep aid. Take it before you go to bed but after taking it, don't go about doing things otherwise it won't help you fall asleep (remember it's a muscle relaxant like a natural robaxacet!). Passion Flower has been used to help anxiety, stress and tension and has been used as a sleep aid as well. Both herbs can be safely combined and I never wake up with a cloudy/foggy head. Other suggestions would be chamomille, cat nip, and/or hops (not beer but too much of that will knock you out too!). One last suggestion would be to reverse the direction you sleep in. It may be a folk remedy but with the change of seasons I often have sleep disruptions. By simply reversing my position in the bed (feet where my head normally would be) for a few nights my sleep patterns seem to go back to normal. I know a few people who claim this as well but again, I've never read any scientific proof to make such claims. For me, it works especially with the Winter-Spring change and the Summer-Autumn change.

Cheers.

Answer 3

Aromatherapy with lavender. I do decoration and I know it has nothing to do with my work, but I have made my clients bedroom a relaxing place, not just a bedroom. On the bed table light, I changed the bulb's light for red. Many of my clients and even me have slept much better with this small change. Don't forget that a good night sleep requires some simples steps, like getting the room totally dark, you can have the red light until you fall asleep and turn it off when you are about to sleep, don't sleep with radio or TV on. Noise and lights can stills affects your brain's sense, keeping this area's working instead of relaxing. It is known that sleep is a way to feed the body, so a good night sleep is essential. Every night before I go to bed, I throw a little of baby cologne on my bed, lavender is great because is soothing, but you can choose the one you like most, it can even be yours bf's cologne, it will brings a very relaxing memory to your mind and it will help you to fall asleep faster. Maybe you can even dream with him.. ;). I mostly do this, after I have taken a relaxing steaming bath with lavender.

Answer 4

Valerian is a herbal sedative. About 2500mg taken 1/2 hour before bed should aid in falling asleep. I have heard reports of side effects though such as nightmares and feeling groggy in the morning, however around 50% of people have no side effects. Other herbs include chamomile, passion flower, hops, dandelion root, oats and lemon verbena.

Answer 5

The amino acid L-Tryptophan. Some years ago they pulled it off the market because of one tainted batch from japan. I am able to get it on a website called thewayup.com but it's not cheap. The stuff really works but don't confuse it with the synthetic form called L5HTP or L5 Hydroxytryptophan. Check out the website I mentioned. Otherwise, Valerian tea or Valerian extract (Health Food Store) is also very good.

Answer 6

I hear your pain. I have trouble falling asleep too. Here are some things that make a big difference for me. Hope it helps!

1. Work out hard in the morning. Alternate between cardio and strength training every other day.
2. Cut out caffine, suger, over-processed foods and simple carbs. Don't eat meat within five hours of bedtime.
3. Just before you close yourself in your room for the night, drink cinnamon tea. You can buy it at a health store, or just boil cinnamon sticks and some cocoa powder in a cup of water. This tastes realy good with cream or honey. DO NOT SWEETEN IT WITH SUGAR or you will be up all night.
4.Have a simple yoga routing to do just before bed. Do not try to "work out" here. Just do streatches and try to relax. Play Soft instumental music in the background. My favorite is the panpipe and gentle drums. Dim the lights, maybe burn lavendar or cinnomon incense. The goal here is to have a soft, relaxing atmosphere.
5. Learn to meditate before bed. Sit in a chair or cross-legged on the floor. Keep your spine straight. Slowly relax your whole body. Concentrate on your own breathing. Follow your breath until you are compleately relaxed. Then repeat a one syllable word either aloud or in your mind. The classic is "Ommm" but do whatever has meaning for you. Maybe try "love" "joy" "peace" or "calm".
6. Keep a clean room. A messy room adds to the clutter your brain had to deal with. Always make your bed in the morning, and try leaving lavendar, either dried poporii in a pouch, of fresh sprigs on your pillow. Lavendar relaxes the body and calms the mind. Make sure to let pleanty freash air into your room.
7. Hot steamy showers or baths before bed can help you fall asleep fast and stay asleep.

Just try to controll stress and whatever is bothering you, do not let it in your room. Make your room a safe haven. Keep distractions to a minimum and practice "turning yourself off" to the world and whatever stresses you out. At night, it doesn't exist. Whatever it is can wait until morning.

Hope this is helpful to you!

Answer 7

My wife and I have tried two that we have had good success with one is Melatonin - here is the link of what we bought: http://www.vitabase.com/supplements/antioxidants/melatonin.aspx The other is another all natural aid that has several different herbs in it like Valerian, Passion Flower and Hops http://www.vitabase.com/supplements/stress-relaxation/healthysleepsupport.aspx

We've liked both of them although I've had better success with the second one than my wife. We like that they don't leave you drowsy the next morning like some things.

Answer 8

Lavender is believed to be calming, thus helping sleep. Although for guys too much could produce female hormones. Warm milk is supposed to be good.

Answer 9

Try Garden vitality Sleep Blend Tea its about $8.95 you can order it at http://www.botanicchoice.com/products/sku-T00SLEP2__id-12.html

also melatoin will help you to feel refreshed in the morning after you wake up.You can find melatonin at vitamin stores for about $3.99
Tea of valerian, chamomile and other herbs are known to help sleep. they might not keep you asleep but does help one fall asleep. avoid caffiene

Answer 10

Valeria works really well for me. I have been taking it for a while because I suffer from bouts of insomnia. Use it as directed and it helps to relax you so you can sleep.