Herbal Remedies

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A good night sleep helps you in remaining healthy. A good sleep revitalizes the brain and body and gears you up for the next challenging day. Many people in America complain of insomnia, that is, inability to sleep on a regular basis. Many opt for medical treatments to cure their insomnia. If you are facing sleep disorder, then you can try out these herbal sleep aids to have a better sleep.

There are many herbal sleep remedies and herbal sleep products made from different types of herbs, that flood the American market. Many claim to provide long, undisturbed sleep and to be a magical cure for insomnia. Some state to be 100% herbal and without any side effects. Theses claims and statements may be true to some extent, but it is always a good idea to consult your doctor before you start consuming any of these magic remedies.

Herbal Sleep Remedies

Kava Kava: Kava Kava or Piper methysticum is used as a herbal remedy for insomnia. It gives a natural calm feeling and helps the body relax. It also enhances dreaming. This herbal sleep product is recommended for people suffering from chronic fatigue. However, long term use of this medicine may damage your liver.

Passion Flower: Pasiflora incarnata was used by the Axtecs as a sedative. Passion flower has a calming effect which induces sleep. It relaxes the mind and body and helps reduce the effects of stress and tension. This non-addictive herbal sleep aid can be used by both adults and children. The only side effect of this herb is sleepiness!

California Poppy: Eschscholzia californica is a commonly used herbal medicine for sleep. It is found in most of the herbal sleep aids sold in America. This herb has relaxation properties that promotes sleep and reduces anxiety. It is a safe herbal medicine for sleep and can even be prescribed to children.

Hops: Humulus lupulus, is a herbal sleep supplement that has a calming effect. This sedative nervous tonic helps relieve pain, inducing a relaxing and restful sleep. Due to its effect as a depressant, it should be avoided by people suffering from depression.

Herbal Sleep Masks:There are many companies that sell herbal sleep masks with different essence like lavender, chamomile and clove, as a part of aromatherapy. These masks should be worn when sleeping, which lulls you into a deep, comfortable sleep.

Herbal Sleep Pillows: Herbal sleep pillows are known to promote restful sleep. Lavender herbal pillow is the most popular pillow that has therapeutic benefits in curing headaches and insomnia. The principle of a herbal pillow is similar to aromatherapy, that is, promoting physical and emotional eudaimonia and promoting sleep.

Herbal Oil for Sleep: Herbal oils, also known as essential oils are fragrant liquids extracted from leaves, stems, flowers and fruits from different types of herbs. Lavender, citrus, rosewood and sandalwood have a soothing and calming effect. Spruce tree oils, patchouli and Frankincense have a relaxing effect. Applying these oils on the pillows, bedsheets, shoulders, neck and the bottom of the feet, before going to bed helps a person in getting a natural, restful sleep.

Herbal Tea Sleep Aid: A cup of herbal tea can slowly calm your nerves and induce sleep. One can drink chamomile, lavender or passionflower flavored herbal tea to control insomnia.

Herbal Bath:A relaxing warm water bath added with a few drops of lavender, passionflower, Valerian and other essential oils will help you relax and sleep peacefully.

One can get over sleep trouble by following a healthy, nutritional diet and exercise regime. These natural herbal aids help promote sleep and reduce restlessness and irritability. These non synthetic medications are gaining popularity as natural sleep aids. With proper medical guidance you can choose a herbal medicine or herbal supplement to cure insomnia. Herbal sleep aids are natural ways to a good sleep.

You may know Winthania somnifera by its common name, Indian gingsen. Also called winter cherry, Ajagandha, Kanaje Hindi, Samm Al Ferakh and more commonly Ashwagandha. This is an Ayurvedic herb that grows as a stout shrub. It belongs to the family Solanaceae (nightshade family) just as the tomato and bears yellow flowers and red fruits. You can read more on Ashwagandha – herbs from the land of India.

According to the ancient medicine system of India, Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is known as a ‘rasayana’. Rasayana is a plant derived drug that helps in increasing physical and mental health. It also helps in making the bodies resistance against diseases stronger and revitalizing a body drained of its energy. Ashwagandha also has the reputation to increase life longevity and improve sex life. It is grown in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Native Americans and Africans have also been known to use Ashwagandha for treating fevers, inflammation and protection against diseases.

Uses of Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is known to strengthen the immune system and thought to be an effective remedy against multiple sclerosis, cancers and even AIDS. People have been known to use it as a hypnotic drug for self therapy. It is an energy tonic that helps in soothing the mind and increasing sexual powers.

It is used as a remedy to ‘balance life force’ according to Ayurveda. It is therefore used as a health booster and rejuvenating tonic in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwagandha is also known to have many antioxidant properties. It is used to treat fungal infections, tuberculosis, chronic upper respiratory illness, etc. It is widely used to treat many gynecological disorders and cure male infertility and impotence.

Side Effects of Ashwagandha
Just as every coin has two sides, aswagandha too has its side effects. Although it is said that ashwagandha side effects are virtually non-existent, but there are some side effects that have been observed in some individuals during case studies. These side effects of ashwagandha include:

There is a slight elevation of body temperature after one week of use

Irritation in the gastrointestinal system

Development of small lesions and inflammation

Vascular congestion

Kidney diseases

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Nausea

Heaviness in abdomen

Ashwagandha Dosage
Ashwagandha is available in many forms and you need to follow different dosages for each. In case you are having ashwagandha powder, then you may take 3 to 6 grams of the powder three times a day. Ashwagandha is also available in form of a decoction. You can have 16 to 31 grams of decoction with boiled cow’s milk, three times a day. You can have two tablespoon of ashwagandha extract three times a day. Remember, you should avoid taking ashwagandha if you are on any type of sedative medications.

Caution is the Key
Many herbalist have warned that individuals with certain conditions should avoid using ashwagandha. People suffering from diabetes, liver diseases, digestive disorders and ulcers should not take ashwagandha. Liquid ashwagandha tonics are prepared in sugar and/or alcohol. Therefore, people with alcohol problems should also avoid intake of ashwagandha. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid taking ashwagandha, as it may have potential risk to the fetus and the infant.

Ashwagandha side effects have only short, vague evidences that are not very conclusive. Indian adults, as well as children have been using ashwagandha for centuries, without any major problems. You should always speak to your doctor before consuming ashwagandha. One should not out weigh the risks and throw caution to the wind. Ashwagandha has excellent safety marks and therefore with a little bit of precautions, you can have ashwagandha with your doctors advice.

As per statistics, 8 out of 10 women have to suffer from hot flashes as they go through menopause. It is characterized by sudden sweating and reddening of the face. The occurrence of hot flashes is unpredictable. It mainly occurs during and after menopause but can be caused by any hormonal conditions. The exact reason behind them is still unknown, however it is believed that it occurs when the levels of luteinizing hormones and follicle stimulating hormones rise beyond optimum values. In case, you are facing hot flashes problems and find them quite intolerable, you can try some herbal remedies to improve your state. Go through the description on some common herbal remedies for hot flashes mentioned below to help yourself.

List of Herbal Remedies for Hot Flashes
Following is a list of some herbs that can be used as natural remedies for hot flashes.

Dong Quai
Dong quai is known to ease menopausal problems. It assists the body to regulate hot flashes. In addition to this, it also relieves mental and emotional stress. Because of these reasons, dong quai is considered to be an emmenagogue. It can contract as well as relax uterine muscles and it owes this property to the diversity in its composition. It contains a water and alcohol soluble, non-volatile oily substance that is excitatory in nature. This substance is responsible for the contraction of the uterine muscles. The component that causes relaxation is another oily substance that is volatile and has a high boiling point. It is believed that the potency of dong quai in treating hot flashes is due to its ability to stabilize blood vessels. However, do not take it without a medical professional’s agreement as dong quai side effects are also possible.

Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil is an essential oil. It contains gamma linolenic acid which influences the production of prostaglandins in the body. This makes it worth using for the treatment of hot flashes, sleep disorders and for relieving premenstrual syndrome. The dosage of evening primrose oil is between 2-8 capsules a day, depending upon the severity of the condition. Self medication in case of essential oils is never advisable. Consult an aromatherapist for proper directions for this natural remedy for hot flashes.

Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is a very good example of highly efficient home remedies for hot flashes. It also relieves menstrual cramps, vaginal atrophy and dysmenorrhea. It shows estrogenic effect by decreasing the levels of luteinizing hormone. Take 10-12 drops of black cohosh with meals, once a day. It will provide you comfort from hot flashes as well as night sweats within a couple of months’ time. This is a ‘sure-to-give-positive-results’ hot flashes herbal remedy.

Vitex
Vitex, which is also known as chaste berry, lowers estrogen levels and raises the level of progesterone. This maintains the strength of bones and vaginal walls. It also alters the secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This helps in easing menopause symptoms. Its daily intake increases the secretion of progesterone and luteotropic hormone, but decreases that of FSH and prolactin. The effect of vitex on pituitary function in this manner enables it to regulate hot flashes and dizziness. Therefore, vitex is one of the effective herbal remedies for hot flashes. More on herbs for menopause.

Other Herbs
There are several other herbal remedies for hot flashes. They include wild yam, red clover, ginseng and licorice root. Wild yam is a native of United States. It resembles a vine plant. Wild yam contains isoflavones that is present in bulk in the extract of wild yam. Isoflavones relieve menopause problems, reduce blood clotting and keep the bones strong. The herb red clover also contains isoflavones, and hence produce the same effects. The regular intake of ginseng proves to be very helpful in palliating hot flashes. To derive the benefits of ginseng, taken it on an empty stomach. It is not recommendable for women with high blood pressure or diabetes. Licorice root is a herb that is known for treating variety of disorders of the female reproductive system, and hence is one of the ‘hot flashes home remedies’ that are popular among herbalists. It has shown its effectiveness in curing hot flashes as well. Its usage should not extend beyond 4-5 weeks without medical supervision. Know more on licorice benefits.