Natural Sleep Aids

Adequate rest and sleep each night are important to a person’s overall health and wellbeing. Everyone, unfortunately, sometimes experiences difficulty either falling to sleep or remaining asleep once already in bed. Usually such temporary sleep difficulties go away without specific action being taken against the root causes. When sleep difficulties persist over time, however, the cumulative effects of such insomnia can become debilitating. Sleep supplements may be needed to help someone get back on the healthy path of naturally good sleep.

Several over the counter products are marketed as sleep aids or sleep supplements and available for purchase today. Each over the counter sleep aid usually contains an antihistamine that is typically successful for occasional but infrequent sleepless nights. Some other well-researched sleep aid products are available which can do much more to solve sleeplessness problems. These are chamomile tea, melatonin, kava and valerian.

Common Sleep Supplements

Chamomile tea has been enjoyed for thousands of years and valued both for its relaxation properties and calming effects. The FDA has agreed with independent researchers that chamomile is a safe supplement with virtually no side effects. In tea form, it is delivered into the body quickly. The secret is in assuring it is properly brewed. Two to three teas bags should be used. The lid should remain on the teapot after the tea is steeped in order to seal in its essential oils and receive the maximum health benefit from the tea.

Kava, a plant that is a member of pepper family, comes from Pacific Ocean islands where the root’s use as an herbal remedy. The medicinal benefits of kava are its relaxing properties and its ability to reduce anxiety. Kava aids in improving the sleep of people experiencing insomnia that is stress-related in its origin. Valerian root has been used for over two thousand years as a sedative for achieving sleep. The root of the valerian plant is the part used to help a person fall asleep faster and achieve a better quality of sleep. The effects are more efficacious over time. Valerian can be used safely for from four to six weeks.

Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps regulate human circadian cycles (the sleeping-waking cycles). Its effect is mild and not yet fully understood, but is effective in helping regulate a person’s internal clock. It comes in two forms and each has a different target usage. Immediate release melatonin helps those who have difficulty falling asleep initially each night. Extended release melatonin works to help those who awaken soon after falling asleep and experience sleeplessness in the middle of the night.

Getting a good night’s sleep is very important to maintaining good health. Sleep supplements have a useful role in providing a comfortable night’s sleep when someone has been experiencing a series of sleepless night. Used for the short term, sleep supplements can help reestablish a normal sleep cycle for an insomnia sufferer.