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There are many plant-based remedies or natural supplements that act as mild sedatives and help to cure insomnia if there isn't an underlying medical condition. Natural herbal medicine is generally very safe in terms of toxicity if you follow instructions on the label. They also don't lead to the potentially serious side effects that many sleeping pills do. The most commonly used natural sleep aids are valerian root, chamomile, and melatonin. Magnesium can help to relax you and promote better sleep. Try taking a 400 mg supplement daily. Valerian root has a mild sedating effective on people, which leads to sleepiness. You can take it as a capsule or drink it as a herbal tea for 1 to 2 weeks at a time. In very high doses, valerian root can have a negative effect on the liver. Chamomile flower is also a mild sedative that can calm the nerves, promote relaxation and trigger sleepiness. Chamomile tea is very popular and should be drank about an hour before bedtime. Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland in your brain. It's essential for circadian rhythm and triggering deep sleep at night when it's dark. Taking it as a supplement can potentially help with insomnia, although research is currently inconclusive. Aromatherapy is using the scents of essential oils and other plant oils to create a calming effect. Aromatherapy cannot cure insomnia or any of its root causes, but it can create relaxation and induce a better frame of mind to fall asleep and stay asleep. Common essential oils used for aromatherapy and recommended for relaxation include lavender, rose, orange, bergamot, lemon, sandalwood and others. It is thought lavender may stimulate the activity of brain cells in the amygdala, similar to the way some sedative medications work. Breathe in essential oils directly from a piece of tissue / cloth or indirectly through steam inhalations, vaporizers or sprays. You can also mix essential oils into your bath water. Start an aromatherapy session about 30 minutes prior to bedtime. If you buy a special vaporizer, let it run throughout the night. Some candles are infused with essential oils, but never let candles burn unattended or while you're asleep. Aromatherapists, nurses, chiropractors, massage therapists and acupuncturists are often the health professionals who practice aromatherapy. Acupuncture involves sticking very thin needles into specific energy points within your skin / muscle in efforts to stimulate the flow of energy in your body and reduce a variety if symptoms. Acupuncture for insomnia is not well researched, but some people claim it can be very relaxing and calming, as well as eliminate pain. Based on the ancient principles of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture may work by releasing a variety of pain-relieving and "feel good" substances, including endorphins and serotonin. Acupuncture can increase night-time melatonin production, which can help treat patients with anxiety-induced insomnia. It's likely best to look into acupuncture treatment for insomnia if other methods (mentioned above) don't work. Acupuncture is practiced by a variety of health professionals including some physicians, chiropractors, naturopaths, physiotherapists and massage therapists whoever you choose should be certified by NCCAOM. As a last resort for trying to cure your insomnia, consider hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy involves changing your level of consciousness so that you're relaxed and very suggestible. Once in this altered state, the hypnotherapist can give you suggestions or commands that can help you relax, reduce anxious thoughts, change perceptions and prepare your body for sleep. This can potentially help all sorts of insomniacs, but it's important to understand it doesn't cure any underlying diseases or conditions that contribute to insomnia. Get a referral to someone reputable who practices hypnotherapy and be sure to ask for their credentials and licensing information. A growing number of physicians, psychologists, psychologists and counselors practice hypnotherapy. Always take a friend or family member with you (at least initially) because people are very vulnerable once hypnotized.
Try natural sleep aids. Use aromatherapy for relaxation. Experiment with acupuncture treatments. Look into hypnotherapy.