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Valerian Root - is well known for its relaxing and sleep-inducing effects. In fact, the drug Valium was developed to mimic the main ingredient of the Valerian plant. Valerian acts as a sedative, antispasmodic and diuretic. Although valerian is chemically unrelated to Valium, it is recognized world wide for its relaxing effect on the body. In Europe, it is often prescribed to treat anxiety. Unlike many of the prescription drugs commonly used in the United States for this purpose like Valium and Xanax, valerian does not have unpleasant side effects. Valerian should not be combined with alcohol as the two greatly exaggerate each other's effect on the body.

Chamomile- is known for its calming effect on smooth muscle tissue, and is a popular remedy for nervous stomach, menstrual cramps, and problems related to stress. Since 1600, Europeans have used chamomile as a cure for insomnia, neuralgia, back pain, and rheumatism. They were not the first to discover this herb as the ancient Egyptians included chamomile in their arsenal of herbal cures.

Peppermint- has been used since ancient times. It is one of the oldest of all medicinal herbs. Peppermint was used for everything from hiccups to hives. stings. In medieval times, many people depended on its aroma to rid their homes of vermin and noxious odors. Today, peppermint is most often used for its soothing effect on the stomach. The antispasmodic effects of the herb are useful for relieving indigestion, nausea and intestinal gas. In addition, peppermint tea is recommended for headaches, as is used as a mild sedative.

Passion Flower- (Passiflora incarnata) was discovered in the 1600's by a Jesuit priest. The plant derives its name from the way its structure is said to resemble Christ's Crucifixion or Passion: the five petals and five sepals are the ten apostles (less Judas and Peter), the three pistils correlate to the nails of the cross, and the ring of filaments represent the crown of thorns. Passiflora incarnata has been used for centuries as an aid to sleep. It was used by the Aztecs as a sedative and analgesic. Studies have demonstrated its use as a sedative and mild analgesic. The beneficial effects stem from the flavonoid and harman alkaloid content. Although most preparations contain only small amounts of these harman alkaloids (about one tenth of one percent), this is sufficient to produce relaxation and sleepiness.

Hops - (humulus lupulus) is famous as a relaxing and calming herb that makes it possible to fall asleep naturally. This plant is actually one of the oldest known plants used for preparing teas, tonics, beverages, and poultices. Hops have incredible holistic value. They have tonic, nervine, diuretic and anodiyne properties. Their volatile oil produces sedative and soporific effects and the bitter principle is stomachic and tonic. For this reason, hops can improve the appetite and help promote sleep. Hop juice also cleanses the blood and has comparable benefits with Sarsaparilla

Skullcap- Skullcap was first brought to the attention of physicians in the West in 1772 as a cure for rabies. A New England physician claimed his experiments proved the herb prevented and cured "hydrophobia". Over the next hundred years, herbalists used skullcap as a digestive aid and tranquilizer. Skullcap entered the U.S. Pharmacopoeia in 1863 as a tranquilizer. It remained there until 1916, when it moved to the National Formulary, the pharmacists' reference, where it remained until 1947. Contemporary herbalists recommend skullcap as a tranquilizer for insomnia, nervous tensions, and premenstrual syndrome.

Melatonin - is a substance normally produced by the pineal gland. One of its functions is to produce natural uninterrupted sleep. Unfortunately, the amount of Melatonin is reduced as we get older. It is also depleted in response to stress, caffeine and alcohol. Melatonin is often used to treat jet lag, insomnia, and for boosting the immune system. Melatonin re-sets the circadian rhythms of the body's "inner clock," by lowering body temperature, which, in turn, controls the sleep/wake cycle. Melatonin is also known for its role in protecting against cancer, aiding stroke victims in recovering from brain damage, and for relieving some of the acute effects of migraine headaches

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References:

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