Insomnia

[byblos]

Hi girls...
does any of you have a good tip on how to deal with insomnia? Certainly not with drugs...I've read about some herbs like Valerian, Passion Flower etc but I have no idea which combination works best. I've also read about meditation, yoga, breathing techniques...Any advice would be greatly appreciated...
~M

[Wenonae]

Yes, valarian root is supposed to assist with sleeping, but it all depends on why you have the insomnia.

Have you been eating significatnly differently? More stress than usual?

More info please.

[fawnmarie]

My favorite is melatonin - knocks me out in about 20 minutes flat.

Dose between 1-6 mgs. Don't use every night - two nights on, one off. You can start high and taper down over several months (i.e. first month 6, second 4, third 3, fourth 1) if insomnia is a long standing problem and it will retrain your sleeping mechanism.

Fawn

[byblos]

Thanks for the replies...
Wen, I'm currently on the worst stressed period of my life and not getting a good night sleep in NOT an option I get up earlier than I want to, tired and depressed.
Fawnmarie, I've heard about melatonin. Does it cause any drowsiness during the next day?How safe is it?

~M

[fawnmarie]

It doesn't usually cause drowsiness - but "safe" depends on how old you are - ie. the older you are, the safer it is - simply because it is a naturally produced hormone and should not be used by children or very young people under ANY circumstance.

So people it causes drowsiness the next day, but not most. It is cheap enough to "trial" about $5 at Walmart.

Sounds like you have some adrenal issues though - if you are stressed AND not sleeping AND not waking up.

Sounds adrenal - might also want to supplement with licorice (herb) throughout the day to keep energy levels stabilized, as well as getting a couple short "sun-baths" during the day.

Do you live in a way-north latitude?

Sun exposure though the eye stimulates the pineal gland to produce melatonin, which balances the hormone cortisol. Excess cortisol can, over time, cause muscle atrophy, perceptual brain damage (and depression), fatigue and exhausted adrenal glands.

If you feel "wash down" when you first get up in the morning - i.e. like the fluids inside of you are rushing to your feet when you first stand up - then it is an adrenal issue, and you will need to take care to counteract that stress with extra pampering and relaxation before it seriously damages your health.


Fawn
www.botanicalbeautylab.com

[byblos]

Fawnmarie,
I'm 26 and have been experiencing sleeping disorders for quite some time with some non stressful periods that I'm capable of sleeping just fine My main problem is that I tend to wake up after 4 hours of sleep then try to refall asleep, then wake up again etc As a result in the morning I feel very tired. So I guess your suggestion is to try melatonin and see what happens. Will do. Will try the licorice as well.
So grateful for your help,
~M

[marsh97]

In hospitals, patients who are unable to sleep are frequently given Benadryl. It is quite effective and you can get it at your local drugstore/Walmart. If you get the generic brand it is also inexpensive. You can take this "as needed". It's not something you need to take all the time if your sleep/stress returns to normal.
M97

[byblos]

Thanks

[PepeLePewtheDivine]

Hi there,
I've been struggaling for many years with insomnia, sometimes rather intensly and other times managable. The last several monthes have been pretty good for me, a bad week here and there but recently I started taking Magnesium as well as calcium and it seems to be of some help. My mom for years has had a problem with holding still at night (particularily her legs, even after she finally falls asleep) and she found out all she needed was magnesium!!! I think its important that you take the two together though (calc. and mag.)

Hope this is the soulution for you! Pepe.