by Reverend Ashira Goddard

Created on: May 27, 2008   Last Updated: May 28, 2008

Insomnia is a lot more common than you may think. It is estimated that some 50 million Americans do not regularly get a good night's rest. Losing even one hour a night can have repercussions on your day from lack of energy or concentration. There are scientific studies that have proven if a person does not get the optimal levels of sleep each night they can have serious health repercussions over time.

If you have trouble sleeping through the night more often than twice a week, talk to your health care provider. There are a number of options for testing for sleep disorders. it may be a more serious medical condition than you believe. Insomnia can cause emotional stress not only for the suffer but for the entire family as lack of energy and unable to participate fully in family activities or job situations can cause serious emotional problems. Before turning to sleep aids as an insomnia cure or treatment such as diazepam that can leave you groggy in the morning, or that become addictive and you need the drug to sleep, try some of these natural remedies.

Valerian - Nature's answer to tranquilizers. This supplement is recommended by the medical profession as a safe and effective alternative to tranquilizers and sedatives. Research has proven that Valerian has the same effect on brain receptors as tranquilizers. Although it does not have any aroma therapy, herbalists highly recommend that you take up to 800 milligrams capsules of Valerian one half hour before bed.

Another safe sedative herb is lemon balm. It not only will soothe your stomach but will provide a sedative reaction allowing you to easily drift off to sleep. It is recommended as a tea with up to three teaspoons of the herb per cup.

Ajurveda practitioners recommend Jatamansi rhizome.

A few other teas that reportedly have a calming and relaxing effect that induce sleep are Fo Ti root, hop, kava kava, chamomile, catnip, rosemary, or spearmint.

Aromatherapy should never be forgotten when speaking of relaxing and calming the body to induce sleep.

Placing a few drops of lavender essential oil on the outside of your sleep mask may send you into a drifting sleep. After a particularly stressful day, rub the lavender essential oil directly on the shoulders, neck and temples for a lingering relaxation effect all night.

Sandalwood essential oil placed on the pillow case also works well.

It is important to remember a few other lifestyle tips. Avoiding caffeine after one in the afternoon, exercising earlier in the day, meditation, and low lighting for an hour prior to sleep are beneficial. It is important to remember that your bed is for sleeping and those other night time activities, but not for reading, watching tv, eating, or doing work. Your mind remembers the activities and routines. Making a habit of working in bed can cause your mind to look at bed time as a natural time to let your mind "run back to the office".

Learn more about this author, Reverend Ashira Goddard.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.