The Best Natural Sleep Remedies

Natural sleep remedies are typically not sedating, but they will help an insomniac fall asleep and stay that way, as well as improve the quality of sleep. Many natural remedies that are effective sleep aids also help reduce pain because of their muscle relaxing properties. This is good news for sufferers of insomnia caused by pain or painful medical conditions.

Regardless of what's causing your lack of sleep, natural insomnia remedies can fix the problem without unnecessary side effects. If, however, the problem persists for longer than a week and natural remedies aren't helping, consult your physician for further treatment. Home treatment is never a substitute for adequate medical care, particularly in the case of serious insomnia.

Wild lettuce is a traditional herbal remedy for treating anxiety, headaches, joint pain and muscle pain. It has been used for decades as a natural sleep remedy and works wonders for relaxing the body and mind. More recently, the herb has been used to effectively treat restless leg syndrome (RLS).

Take 30 to 120 milligrams about 30 minutes before bedtime for the best results. Start with a smaller dosage and increase as necessary. The more you weigh, the larger the dose of wild lettuce you'll need to help you fall asleep.

The extract of Jamaican dogwood is another of the most effective natural sleep remedies. The herb is a proven muscle relaxant and helps individuals fall asleep quickly while calming the nerves.

One traditional story suggests that Jamaican fisherman used the herb to help them catch fish. They would throw large amounts of the herb into the water near their fishing boats and wait for the fish to fall asleep before hauling them in. This may be only anecdotal, but there is usually a kernel of truth in a myth. Try taking 12 to 48 milligrams of Jamaican dogwood extract about 30 minutes before bed and see if it works for you.

Everyone knows that hops is used to make beer, but many people don't realize its potential for treating insomnia and other sleeping problems. Although if you think about it, this certainly makes sense!

The herb has a long history of treating insomnia and anxiety disorders due to its mildly sedative properties. In addition, it has been used to reduce hot flashes in menopausal women and suppress the occurrence of many types of cancer. Most importantly for the insomniac, hops helps relax the muscles, calm the mind and get the body to sleep quickly. Take 30 to 120 milligrams of hops extract just before bedtime for the best results.

Valerian is one of the best natural sleep remedies available. It has been used for centuries to treat insomnia, pain, anxiety and other nervous conditions. It improves the quality of sleep, helps induce deep sleep and helps the patient fall asleep fast without side effects or grogginess the next day. The benefits of the herb are most pronounced when it is used for extended periods.

Take 200 to 800 milligrams of valerian extract before bed time for the best results. Start with a low dosage until you understand how this powerful herb will affect you. In some cases, valerian may have a stimulating effect and should not be used as a natural sleep remedy. If you're one of these few people, try taking valerian during the day so you'll be more inclined to sleep at night.

The herbs discussed above are generally regarded as safe for human consumption. It is always best, however, to discuss taking any new herbs with your primary physician to make sure there is no risk of complication or drug interactions. Never take natural sleep remedies with prescription sedatives, as serious complication may arise.