Google Website Translator Gadget

Total Pageviews

Search This Blog

24 August 2009

Some Herbs For Sleep

Again, I wish to stress I'm not suggesting sedation. That would only be applicable in extreme circumstances, certainly not on a regular basis. I'm talking about using herbs to help the body find its natural rhythms again and to nourish the body in all its processes. Sedation or stimulation for that matter exacts a toll on the overall well being of the person. You're stressing the body in the long run.

Let's now look at a few herbs with relation to sleep/dreams.

St. Johns Wort (Hypericum Perforatum): Tincture and oil. Tincture from 50 to 150 drops in water. The oil (topical application) is great in massages and for relieving nerve pain, like sciatica, often a cause of restless sleep. The tincture can be used in large doses frequently without any complications. The effect is both physical and mental, like the relaxation of spending a warm day in the sun at the beach - eases worry and anxiety. Great for alleviating seasonal depression as well - you'll learn to love the winter as much as the summer.

Oatstraw (Avena Sativa): Infusion made from the dried plant material. Drink up to a quart a day. Relaxes and nourishes the nervous system, will have quite a profound effect over time, allowing one to relax completely at night. Strengthens the nervous system as well as the cardiovascular system.

Motherwort (Leonurus Cardiaca): Tincture. 10-15 drops in water. Another great relaxing herb. A real heart tonic as well, whether one's troubles be physical or emotional. Great for relieving cramps, esp. of the nighttime variety. Promotes restful sleep and dreams to boot.

Cronewort (Artemisia Vulgarus): Dried in Dream Pillows. A powerful dream tonic for those at a loss for good (by good I mean useful and vivid) dreams; just having it near you as in a dream pillow will stimulate that sacred nighttime process so many are deprived of with the drain on the psyche the modern life exerts.

Camomile (Anthemis nobilis): Infusion or Tea. Famous sleepy time herb used by millions. Such a beautiful summertime flower. The relaxation of a lovely summer afternoon.

4 comments:

  1. Marc - No Valerian?

    I've been taking Valerian before bed for many years - and as a lifelong insomniac - I swear by it.

    Its a calmative, and I take it with Calcium and Magnesium and Vit D as well as Melatonin.

    dylan

    ReplyDelete
  2. I haven't had much experience with Valerian.
    You take all that every night or just when you need it? The idea is hopefully not to need anything or take herbs that work with your body's natural cycles. I'm not suggesting sedation, even with herbs!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Marc - I don't remember to take it every night, but for the last twenty-five years or so I have slept in a completely dark and silent room (lots of extraneous noise from outside, horns, sirens, three AM motorcycle races, small animals being devoured alive by god knows what, etc...) and I still have no guarantee of sound and somewhat continuous sleep without the NUTRIENTs.

    I do not feel I am sedated, merely supplemented.

    Well....actually....I didn't mention the vodka and soda....perhaps I am somewhat sedated.

    My insomnia dates from near birth. And I have never slept better than since discovering the supportive supplementation.

    dylan

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dylan, One thing I would point out is that sleep isn't always supposed to be one way, long and deep; there are so many variations in a healthy sleep cycle including (sometimes)even some awake time in the middle of the night! One of the most spiritual and contemplative times is from about 3-6 am! But how many of us can really say we'd look forward to being awake during those times? Much of the problem is our schedules - if you need to get up at 6 am to go to work, it's hard to go with the flow. We have asked our bodies to adapt to an unnatural cycle; therefore, we need all the pills and potions to keep us going. This is a completely different philosophy here I am exploring.

    ReplyDelete

All comments are reviewed first before being posted. If you would rather contact me personally, please e-mail me at marcbonagura@gmail.com