Natural Home Remedies for Insomnia (Inability to Sleep)

Home Remedies for Insomnia with Thiamine:
Of the various food elements, thiamine or vitamin B1 is of special significance in the treatment of insomnia. It is vital for strong, healthy nerves. A body starved of thiamine over a long period will be unable to relax and fall asleep naturally. Valuable sources of this vitamin are wholegrain cereals, pulses, and nuts.

Home Remedies for Insomnia with Lettuce:
Lettuce is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia as it contains a sleep-inducing substance, called 'lectucarium'. The juice of this plant has been likened in effect to the sedative action of opium without the accompanying excitement Lettuce seeds taken in a decoction are also useful in insomnia. One tablespoon of seeds should be boiled in half a liter of water, till it is reduced by one-third.

Home Remedies for Insomnia using Milk:
Milk is very valuable in insomnia. A glass of milk, sweetened with honey, should be taken every night before going to bed in treating this condition. It acts as a tonic and a tranquillizer. Massaging the milk over the soles of the feet has also been found effective.

Home Remedies for Insomnia with Honey:
Honey is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia. It has a hypnotic action and induces a sound sleep. It should be taken with water, before going to bed, in doses of two teaspoons in a large cup of water. Babies generally fall asleep after taking honey.

Dietary Guidelines for Insomnia
The patient should take a low-salt diet as salt is said to interfere with a restful sleep. A balanced diet with simple modifications in the eating pattern will go a long way in the treatment of insomnia. Such a diet should exclude white flour products, sugar and its products, tea, coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, alcohol, fatty foods, fried foods, and foods containing additives.

Exercise and Yoga for Insomnia
Regular active exercise during the day and mild exercises before retiring at night enhances the quantity and the quality sleep. Yoga helps in a majority of cases. It provides physical and mental relaxation from one's disturbing problems.

Special Insomnia Relief Formula

1 ounce valerian root extract
1/2 ounce hops extract
1/2 ounce passionflower extract

Combine herbal extracts in a dark-glass bottle. Store in a cool, darkplace and shake well before using. Take one teaspoon 30 minutesbefore bedtime with a small amount of warm water, and repeat thedose if needed. If you are sensitive to valerian,omit it and doublethe amount of hops extract.

Gentle Sleep Tea for Insomnia

1 teaspoon California poppy
1 teaspoon passionflower
1 teaspoon lemon balm
1 cup water

Pour one cup of boiling water over herbs. Cover,and steep for 15 minutes. Strain, sweeten ifdesired, and drink 30 minutes before bedtime.

How to Make Herbal Sleep Pillow for Insomnia?

Small pillows stuffed with dried herbs have been used for centuries in Europe topromote restful sleep. Hops is a potent sedative, and lavender, chamomile, androse petals all have relaxing, soothing properties.

1/8 cup dried hops
1/8 cup dried lavender
1/8 cup dried chamomile
1/8 cup dried rose petals
5 drops lavender or rose essential oil
2 pieces fabric, each 7 inches square

Mix the herbs together and sprinkle with the essential oil. Make a small pillowcase by sewing the right sides of the fabric together, leaving a 3-inch opening in thecenter of one side seam. Turn the pillowcase right side out. Fill the pillow withthe dried herbs, making it fairly flat, and sew the opening closed. Slip the herbalsleep pillow underneath your bed pillow.