Insomnia takes different forms, including difficulty in falling asleep, restless sleeping, or waiting in the middle of the night. Common causes are caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, especially if consumed in the evening. Nervous tension and anxiety, PMS or menopause, lack of exercise, eating too late in the evening, vitamin deficiencies, certain drugs, and food allergies may also cause insomnia. Sleeping pills and sedatives may work initially but then interfere with sleep. In addition, these drugs are dangerous, habit-forming, and upsetting to the long-term balance of the body's natural rhythms. Better long-term solutions are to reduce anxiety (by practicing biofeedback or meditation, for example) and getting more exercise during the day (but not right before bed). Chiropractic Care Nutrition and Supplements Herbal Remedies Homeopathic Remedies Essential Oils Chiropractic Care  coming soon BACK TO MENU Nutrition and Supplements Eliminate or at least cut down on-the consumption of caffeine-containing drinks and foods such as coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate. A meal of complex carbohydrates (such as pasta, bread, and potatoes) may induce drowsiness, and foods that are rich in the amino acid tryptophan (found in soy foods, turkey and other meats, milk, and fish, as well as pumpkin seeds) stimulate the body to produce the calming neurotransmitter serotonin. Supplements that may help relieve insomnia include: calcium and magnesium, in a 2:1 ratio (for example, 1,000 mg calcium and 500 mg magnesium): take at bedtime for its relaxing, sleep-inducing effects niacinamide (vitamin B3), 50 mg daily or 500-1,000 mg thirty minutes before bed: along with the other B-complex vitamins, niacinamide is important for the proper functioning of the nervous system, and in megadoses has sedative properties melatonin, 3 mg: this pineal gland hormone helps regulate sleep BACK TO MENU Herbal Remedies Herbs for insomnia can calm nervous tension and relax muscles. To induce sleep, take herbs as a warm tea, or in tincture or capsule form, thirty minutes before bedtime. A common dosage is 1 cup of tea, 1/2-1 teaspoon of tincture, or two capsules. Choose from among the following herbs, which are generally recognized as effective sleep inducers and relaxants: valerian passionflower California poppy hops The following herbs are milder sedatives, appropriate for children. They help calm an overly stimulated nervous system: chamomile catnip BACK TO MENU Homeopathic Remedies Common single remedies used to relieve insomnia include: Arsenicum: for insomnia from anxiety, worry, and apprehension Chamomilla: for a child with insomnia Coffea: for insomnia from excitement or joy, overactive mind, or too much coffee Pulsatilla: for insomnia from recurring thoughts Combination remedies for insomnia include some of the above ingredients, along with others such as Hyoscyamus, Ignatia, Passionflower or Passiflora, and Hops. BACK TO MENU Essential Oils Essential oils can help relieve insomnia through massage (a whole body massage is optimal for relaxation), bath, and vaporization. Use any of the following essential oils, all of which have sedative properties: chamomile lavender rose PAGE TOP Powered by ProfessionalPlanets.com™ Copyright 1999 © ProfessionalPlanets.com™ All rights reserved. Terms of Use