HERBALS FOR INSOMNIA

The term insomnia encompasses a range of problems that effect sleep. Most people experiences it at some time in their lives but as sleeping patterns differ from one individual to another, its symptoms vary and tend to be characterised by the discomfort suffered as a result of not only able to fall asleep or stay asleep. Symptoms  are- difficulty in getting to sleep, premature wakening with a feeling of sleep- deprivation, night time wakefulness  at the slightest external stimulus, and prolonged nocturnal wakefulness, day time tiredness, possibly accompanied by strong desire to sleep

HERBALS

Aniseed- Tea prepared by boiling 350 ml of water and adding a teaspoon of aniseed. The water should be covered with a lid and allowed to simmer for 15 mts. It should be strained and taken hot

Bitter orange- Infuse 5 g dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water for 20 mts. Strain. Take in the evening just before going to bed

California poppy- Take 10 drops tincture 3 times a day in little cold water after meals. Take up to 20 drops at bed time

Celery- Juice mixed with a tablespoon of honey taken at night before retiring will help one relax in to soothing and restful sleep

Cumin seeds- A tablespoon of the fried powder of cumin seeds mixed with the pulp of a ripe banana can be taken at night to induce sleep

Hops- Infuse 10 g dried flowers in 1 litre of boiling water for 10 mts, then strain. Drink one cup just before bedtime

Indian hemp- Leaves of Indian hemp can be administered to induce sleep

Indian sorrel- Juice of leaves of Indian sorrel mixed with castor oil is useful in insomnia

Lavender- Infuse 2-03 g dried flowers in  a cup of boiling water for 5-10 mts, then strain. Drink 3-4 cups a day between meals or one cup before bedtime

Lemon balm- Take 3 capsules a day before meals

Lime tree- Infuse 5 g of dried flowers in 1 litre of boiling water for 5 mts, then strain. Drink 1 cup in the evening  to promote sleep

Nut meg- The powder of nutmeg with fresh amla juice , is an effective medicine  for insomnia, irritability and depression. Nut meg paste mixed with honey is given to infants who cry at night for no apparent reason , to induce sleep. Its regular use may cause serious complications and addiction in the infants

Passion flowers- Tincture 1:8 in 25 percent alcohol. Take 25- 75 drops a day in a  glass of water

Peppermint- Infuse one tablespoon of dried leaves in 150 ml of boling water for 10- 15 mts , then strain. Drink one cup in the evening  for a sdative effect

Poppy seeds- About 30 g of milk extracted from the seeds mixed with sugar can be used for treating insomnia. A teaspoon of poppy seed oil is taken every night is also very effective. About a quarter  teaspoon of the powder of poppy seeds are sauted to become golden brown in honey . This preparation is taken twice a day

Rauwolfia serpentina- About 0.6- 1.25 gm of Rauwolfia root is mixed with honey and taken

Sweet marijoram- Infuse 1-2 tablespoon of dried plant in a cup of boiling water for 15 mts , then strain. Drink 1 cup 3 times a day

Valerian- Take 1-2 capsules a day