Natural Herbal Sleep Aids

Natural herbal sleep aids offer welcome relief to insomniacs who do not want to take or cannot take prescription sleep medications. Many drugs marketed for insomnia cause significant side effects, and many are habit forming and associated with potentially dangerous drug interactions. Natural herbal sleep aids are generally well-tolerated, are not addicting, and can be taken with most other medications. One of the major drawbacks of using natural herbal sleep aids is that there is no way to be certain of the dose you are ingesting. Because the FDA does not regulate herbal supplements, dosing may be inconsistent and unreliable. It is crucial to speak with a health care professional before beginning treatment with any herbal sleep aid.

Chamomile tea is one of the most popular herbal sleep aids and has been used in tea form for many years because of its gentle sedative effects. While most people are able to tolerate chamomile well, some people with pollen or plant allergies may experience an allergic reaction when using the herb. Chamomile is also useful as a treatment for nausea and inflammation, and may be especially beneficial to anyone unable to sleep due to those symptoms.

Whether valerian is truly effective as an herbal sleep aid is a hotly debated topic. Some evidence shows it is both effective and well-tolerated, but the herb can cause significant side effects in some people when taken in high doses. In addition to side effects such as blurred vision, excitability, vivid dreams and abnormal heart rhythms, some people find the taste of valerian very unpleasant. This makes it an unattractive option for many sufferers of insomnia.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a number of studies have shown that kava is effective at promoting relaxation and inducing sleep in some people. The studies have also shown the herb to be a useful tool in the management of anxiety and nervous disorders. However, kava has been linked to liver damage and the FDA issued a consumer advisory in 2002 warning of a rare but possible risk of liver failure in people using products containing the herb. Because of this, kava should only be used under the supervision of a medical professional.

Passion flower is one of the most effective natural herbal sleep aids available. It is especially useful for insomnia related to anxiety or muscle conditions, and it typically produces no notable side effects. Passion flower can cause extreme drowsiness in some people. Therefore, the herb should not be taken unless a full eight hours can be devoted to sleep.

Even though lavender is an herb commonly found in sleep aid supplements, it has proved to be one of the least effective natural remedies for insomnia. However, it does have a mild sedative effect in some people, and many find the scent of lavender to be comforting and relaxing. Lavender typically causes little or no side effects, but care must be taken not to use Spanish lavender before bed due to its stimulating effects.

St. John's Wort is known mostly for its use as an herbal treatment for depression and anxiety, but the herb has also been shown to be a useful herbal remedy for insomnia. Anyone considering the use of St. John's Wort as a natural herbal sleep aid should consult his doctor before beginning treatment. This is because the herb may counteract the effectiveness of some prescription medications, including blood thinners and birth control pills.