While researching solutions for insomnia, I made the mistake
of typing “when do most people experience insomnia” into my Google search
bar. I had the misfortune (and the brief
pleasure) of reading one forum contributor’s response: when we can’t
sleep. However, there is a wealth of legitimate,
valuable input to offset this tongue-in-cheek comment.
Of particular interest are the discussions on physiological
causes of insomnia, from melatonin deficiencies (often associated with aging) to hormonal imbalance
(tied frequently to menopause) These
lead into data on herbal remedies – solutions that are available to us free of
charge, if we have the energy to venture into the gardens and wilds to harvest
specific plants.
Of course, one of the most commonly cited treatments for
insomnia is German chamomile tea. This
beverage has been used for centuries, and is part of the Ukrainian heritage,
brought to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This herb is cultivated domestically and
grows very well in the wild. There a re
a few varieties of chamomile, but the most effective appears to be the German
chamomile.
While most commonly used as a cough and cold treatment,
linden also encourages sleep. Dried
flowers and leaves, made into a tincture or infusion are the usual form of use,
while the inner layers of bark can be harvested even in winter and made into a
tincture or infusion, as well.
Onion is one of the universally recognized super plants,
offering myriad health benefits.
However, boiled onion (drink the liquid, as well, you wimp!) serves as a
sleep aid. I have found that onions,
eaten in larger quantities before bedtime seem to induce a lot of dreams. Good for those with pleasant ones, lousy for
those with nightmares!
Lemon balm is cited as a good sleep aide. However, its most frequent use is as an
insect repellent. Lemon balm, like lemon
sorrel and mints, decreases thirst.
Although offering only a mild sedative benefit, raspberry
tea is an excellent pre-bedtime drink, and, when combined with wild strawberry
leaves, is a very pleasant sipping tea.
Sage is another great plant.
This herb is a great culinary spice with nutritional benefits, but
offers a variety of health benefits, from cancer treatment to digestive
assistance, from treatment for depression & anxiety to cold treatment and
inflammations. Best known for its use
with poultry, it can be taken, if you can endure the sharp taste, as a tea.
For centuries, lavender has been a part of romantic lore,
and has a reputation for inducing pleasant dreams. This, of course, goes hand in hand with
better sleep. Lavender air sprays,
lavender sachets under one’s pillow, lavender soaps and skin creams or lavender
plants growing in the bedroom window all offer assistance for the
sleep-deprived.
My wife uses rosehips to treat a kidney condition. Along with this wonderful benefit, the rose
seed pods also are excellent for the heart, provide a source of vitamin C, show
results in cancer treatment tests and, again, provide sleep-inducing
qualities. Rosehips can be used in soups
and stews, with wild game, in bannock, or consumed as a tea with a bit of
ginger.
Passionflower, native to the southeast of North America, is
recognized for its relief of insomnia.
Lastly, elecampane has been found to be effective at
treating both irritability and insomnia.
While not a known native of the Americas, elecampane, like dandelion,
hawthorn and a host of other plants, herbs and bushes, has taken hold in most
parts of North America, likely introduced here by European settlers.
The list of herbs and other plants that have been employed
to treat lack of sleep attests to both the prevalence of insomnia and the
effectiveness of herbal remedies, as opposed to chemical preparations. The added benefits of herbs are that they
generally have fewer side effects, and, when harvested in the wild, cost nothing!
