|
One
of the greatest benefits of using herbs medicinally is that they don't come with
any side effects like most pharmaceuticals do. That's why in today's age, in
which a large component of medications are prescribed for alleviating
nerve-related conditions like sleeplessness, anxiety and depression, medicinal
herbs play a valuable role.
Getting adequate amounts of sleep is imperative to one's health. Not only
does a lack of sleep increase moodiness, irritability and vulnerability to
depression, it wears on the immune system and can worsen the symptoms of
diabetes and heart disease. If you are one of the 63% of Americans who do not
get enough sleep (the recommended eight hours per night according to the
National Sleep Foundation), and owe this lack of sleep to insomnia, you should
consider using herbs before opting for one of the many side effect ridden
prescriptive medications out there.
There are several herbs for insomnia, with Valerian Root being the most
widely clinically tested of the lot. Widely used in Europe, Valerian Root has
undergone twenty clinical trials that confirm its effectiveness in improving
sleep quality. I can even attest to it myself. Compared to the prescription drug
Serax, Valerian Root has been shown to significantly improve sleep without any
hangover side effects. While this insomnia treating herb has been shown to
provide immediate results for most people, it may need to be taken for several
consecutive nights (up to fourteen) in order for Valerian to have its greatest
impact.
If you are unfamiliar with Valerian root, a word of warning. Depending on
your sensitivity to odors, it can smell like dirty socks. Valerian root is
pungent smelling, so you may want to consider using it in tincture or capsule
form, rather than as a tea. Tinctures are generally your best option, since they
are more readily absorbed into the bloodstream than capsules. Other similar,
less smelling herbs for nighttime use are passion flower, hops, California poppy
and Kava Kava.
If you are looking for a less intense, daytime friendly nerve tonic herb with
sedating effects, consider using chamomile, vervain, lemon balm, skullcap, wood
betony or hawthorn. Take your pick. If you want something that tastes really
good in tea form, lemon balm and chamomile are great options. If you want
something that is also going to improve blood circulation and be good for your
heart, hawthorn is your best bet. And if depression is the underlying cause of
your lack of sleep, St. John's Wort is a clinically tested, effective herb. Just
be sure to clear it with your doctor if you are also taking any prescription
medications since St. John's Wort speeds liver metabolism.
One last thing worth mentioning here is be aware of growing dependent on any
medication, even medicinal herbs. Ultimately, it is up to each of us to
holistically explore the causes of any sleeping disorders like insomnia that we
may be experiencing. Studies show that stress is the number one cause for all
sleeping disorders. Getting adequate amounts of exercise and mediation are
holistically related to one's sleep patterns. Remember, insomnia is not a
disease. It's a symptom.
Author: Ry
ARTICLES ON HERBS
|
