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Fight Insomnia

Natural remedies to improve sleep
a restless woman in bed staring at the alarm clock

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is trouble getting to sleep and/or problems staying asleep.

What Causes Insomnia?

It can be caused by stress, health problems, nutrient deficiencies, or a busy mind.

How Do I fight Insomnia?

  • Lifestyle

    • Establish regular exercise and sleep routines.
    • Stop caffeine after 4 p.m. and screen time an hour before bed.
    • Also consider:
      • yoga
      • hypnosis
      • biofeedback
      • progressive relaxation
      • guided imagery
      • meditation
  • Body Work

    • acupuncture
    • acupressure
  • Aromatherapy

    Massage with essential oils:

    • lavender
    • bitter orange
    • rose
  • Herbal Therapy

    • ashwagandha
    • chamomile
    • hops
    • kava kava
    • lemon balm
    • passionflower
    • rhodiola
    • St. John’s wort
    • valerian
  • Homeopathy

    • Arsenicum album
    • Coffea cruda
    • Gelsemium
    • Nux vomica
    • Rhus toxicodendron
    • Ignatia
  • Supplements

    • Calcium
    • magnesium
    • melatonin
    • omega 3s
    • vitamin B12
Click to See Our Sources

Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by David Winston and Steven Maimes ($18.95, Healing Arts, 2007)

“Do you have trouble sleeping? More magnesium might help” by Forrest Nielsen, USDA, www.ars.usda.gov

"The effectiveness of aromatic extract on insomnia: A meta-analysis" by H. Zhen et al., Sleep and Breathing, 11/24

“Exercise is no quick cure for insomnia,” Northwestern University

“Magnesium supplementation improves indicators of low magnesium status and inflammatory stress in adults . . . with poor quality sleep” by F. H. Nielsen et al.,Magnesium Research

Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar ($14.95, Storey Publishing, 2012)

Contributor

The Taste for Life Staff

The Taste for Life staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds and specialties. We believe learning is a life-long process, and love to share the knowledge we gain.