Natural Insomnia Remedies

"Let food be your medicine and your medicine be your food. Each one of the substances in a person's diet, acts upon the body and changes it in some unique way, and upon these changes the whole life depends, whether in health, in sickness or convalescent."  

Hippocrates 2 000 years ago.

Welcome to Home Remedies for Insomnia, our sleep sanctuary, where we combine the soothing properties of essential oils, the sweetness of honey, the comfort of carbohydrates and the relaxation of magnesium.

If you are struggling to get a good night's sleep due to conditions like depression, obesity, anxiety, indigestion, stress or any other factors, you've come to the right place.

Discover how these natural remedies can help you drift off into a peaceful slumber and wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Embrace the power of holistic healing and transform your bedtime routine with our sleep-enhancing tips and tricks.

Natural insomnia remedies are the last thing on your mind when you are still tossing and turning in the early hours of the morning.

It is soooo easy to say "keep your worries and problems out of the bedroom" but when sleep eludes you that is exactly when your worries and problems are magnified.

Let's dive in and discover the power of these remedies together.

Do I Suffer from Insomnia?

• Failure to get an entire night's sleep on most nights over a one-month period be considered chronic insomnia.
• There are so many do's and don'ts about what to do and what not to do before going to bed at night, which are all well and good, but not so easy to stick to.
• The rules say you should not smoke close to bedtime, but if you are a smoker that is easier said than done.
• The rules also say not to overstimulate your mind, and don't keep looking at the clock and so on........ and so on....

So... for our natural insomnia remedies we are not going to repeat the rules. But we are going to start off by giving a list of the possible causes for insomnia and then see what can be done to help promote sleep naturally.

Some of the Possible Causes for Insomnia.

• It's all about what we eat.... and what we don't eat, isn't it?  
• So, drop the drugs and try natural insomnia remedies.  You have nothing to lose, except some sleep if it doesn't work!

A Spoonful of Honey When Going to Bed.

Honey can restore glycogen to the liver so that your brain doesn't receive a stress response, which often occurs when glycogen is low, which could potentially pull you out of sleep.

• And Honey also assists with the release of melatonin - a hormone produced by the body that naturally helps with sleep.

Insomnia Remedies and Melatonin.

• Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland that influences the sleep process and maintains the body's circadian Rhythm (body clock).

• The darker your bedroom is, the more melatonin you produce, and cherries are rich in melatonin.

Insomnia Remedies and Tryptophan.

Figs for Insomnia

Tryptophan is an amino acid, which has been shown to affect the part of the brain that governs sleep. Some of the foods which contain this amino acid and can be used as a bedtime snack:

Carbohydrates

• Bread
• Brown Rice
• Pasta
• Potatoes

• Carbohydrates release relaxing brain chemicals such as Trypothan and Serotin (the happy hormone)
• So if you are suffering from sleeplessness and need some remedies, dose up on the carbohydrates for your evening meal.

Magnesium.

• Magnesium is another mineral that is essential for a good night's "zzz", and can be used in conjunction with calcium which has a calming effect.
• It has been shown that low magnesium levels may stimulate your brain and cause insomnia...... so dose up on........

• peanuts
• oysters
• wholewheat bread
• pumpkin seeds
• spinach
• broccoli

Foods to Avoid.

Here is a list of foods to avoid, because they contain tyramine which increases the release of norepinephrine which is a brain stimulant.

• bacon
  
• cheese
• chocolate 
  
• ham
  
• sugar
  
• tomatoes
  
• wine

• Sorry ..... no more choccies at night just before you go to sleep!

How do you cure insomnia without Medication?

Milk and Honey

Honey and Milk - for years, probably centuries, this combination has been used as a bedtime drink. Scientists have found that they both contain Tryptophan which is responsible for promoting a good night's sleep.

Chammomile Tea

Chamomile infusion just before bed can also help with insomnia due to the sedative called apigenin contained in the herb.

• Other herbal tea or infusions which have sedating effects are catnip, fennel and lemon balm.

Lemon Tea before bed

Dill has relaxant properties which provide a healthy alternative for insomnia remedies.

It can interact with alcohol and other sedative drugs and should not be taken with them.

Valerian is another herb which can be safely used in either a tea or a tincture as a sedative for insomnia. It can be cooked with fish, especially salmon.

Passion Flower

Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine

• Establish a calming bedtime routine to signal to your body that it's time to wind down.
• This could include activities like reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.

Limit Screen

• Avoid screens i.e. Phones, Computers and TV's at least an hour before bed, as the bue light emitted can interfere with your body's natura; sleep-wake cycle.

Essential Oils for Insomnia

• Lavender, chamomile, and cedarwood essential oils are commonly recommended for promoting relaxation and improving sleep quality.
• You can use them in a diffuser, add a few drops to a warm bath, or mix with a carrier oil for a soothing massage before bedtime.
• Remember to always dilute essential oils properly and do a patch test before using them on your skin.

YOUR NATURAL MEDICINE CHEST

What to Keep in your Medicine Chest

Arnica
Keep a tube of this cream for relief for muscle strains as well as bruises.

Calendula
Use the dried flowers to make a tea and use for stressful situations and also stomach upsets.

Chamomile
Use the dried flowers to make a tea and use for stressful situations and also stomach upsets.

Echinacea
An absolute must for your herbal medicine chest for respiratory congestion and muscle soreness.

Eucalyptus
An absolute must for your herbal medicine chest for respiratory congestion and muscle soreness.

Ginger
Use this herb as a fresh root from your veggie store, or if you like gardening, grow them, it is an excellent medication for colds, respiratory congestion, nausea and stomach upsets

Lavender
Keep Lavender as an essential oil for stress, insomnia and headaches.

Sea Salt
Gargle with this salt for sore throats and also for bath salts.

Tea Tree
Use as an essential oil for skin infections and insect bites.

Valerian
Use as an extract for mild pain relief and insomnia