I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:
for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4: 8
As with all areas on our
website, this is not offered as professional
counsel or advise, nor should it take the place of such advice. I am simply sharing my journey and
alternatives methods that have helped me.
Please note that any natural herbs also may have side affects so you
need to research any natural herbs and supplements on your own. You will need to do your own footwork! I have found my local pharmacist to be a
great help with drug and herb intervention and also a company, called
NEEDS. As much as I steer away from
over-the-counter and prescription drugs, I am also careful of the natural herbs
and reactions/interaction they have with each other and also any medication I
may be taking.
Praying a sweet rest in Him
to each of you!
Love Cindy
SLEEPING-AIDS
The best sleep-aid is the aid I always run to first…the
Lord. Often I will lay in bed
letting scripture roll over my mind or lifting specific scripture in
prayer. There have been many times the
Lord has woken me in the late night/early morning hours to intercede with
prayer. It’s important to me to ask,
“Lord have you woken me for a reason?”
That said sleeplessness
and chronic illness often go hand in hand.
I know personally that the healing benefits of sleep often outweigh any
natural or unnatural drug, but the symptoms and conditions of chronic illness
are not always the best catalyst to a long uninterrupted sleep.
The following are all
natural sleeping aids that I have tried, some successfully, others not. But one thing I have found is to
alternate. If I continue endlessly with
the same it seems to loose affect.
*Also it is important to ‘know’ or have recommended from a source you
trust the ‘brand’ or ‘company’ you buy these herbs and supplements from. Some will not be as pure as others and
though the front of the container reads the herb you are looking for closer
inspection shows other herbs or substances have been mixed in or in the case of
a less than reputable company, product additives are not even listed!
**NOTE ALSO…I’ve learned
first hand that some herbs/supplements as with drugs need to be avoided if you
are looking at surgery. Some may react with anesthetic
agents or other drugs given during surgery, and could cause bleeding. This holds true also with MANY over the
counter drugs! I long ago gave up
coffee and caffeine teas/drinks due to my surgeon telling me I had to avoid
them prior to surgery. A simple
research of the subject of caffeine led me to realize that the permanent
weaning away from caffeine products outweighed the momentary enjoyment of these
products. The following is an
interesting article on caffeine: How Caffeine Works
Valerian Root - this is also available in tea form, which I
have not tried. Valerian has worked
wonderfully! The caution on Valerian Root reads : May
cause drowsiness. Do not use when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery. Do not use if you are taking sedatives or tranquilizers without first
consulting a health care professional. Not for use by those under the age of 18.
Calms Forte – has worked wonderfully! Ingredients: Passiflora incarnata, Avena sativa,
Humulus lupulus, Chamomilla, Calcarea phorphorica, Ferrum phosphoricum, Kali
phosphoricum, Natrum phosphoricum, Magnesia phosphoricum; Inactive: Lactose,
Calcium sulfate, Starch, Magnesium stearate. Bottle reads: Hyland's Calms Forte will not interfere with other
medications or alcohol.
Chamomile
Tea
Hot
Bath’s with/without Epsom Salt
Kava Kava – comes in capsule and tea form. For myself this didn’t work well at all,
but others may react differently.
Melatonin – Another that didn’t work, but one
that I’ve heard many say worked great.
*5 HTP (l-5-hydroxytryptophan)
is a natural extract of Griffonia simplicifolia beans. – this I haven’t tried
but may in the future. I have heard
wonderful results of it. The following
cautions should be weighed in considering this product: This
product should not be consumed by children or by pregnant or lactating women.
Some may experience gastrointestinal (GI) upset, diarrhea or nausea while
taking this product which usually disappears by reducing dosage or is minimized
by taking with food. As with any supplement, if discomfort persists discontinue
use. Those suffering from gut disorders such as ulcers, irritable bowel
disease, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, etc., should not use 5-HTP. Those
using MAO-inhibitors, antidepressants and drugs containing (fenfluramine)
should not use 5-HTP. May cause drowsiness. Do not use while driving or
operating heavy equipment.
*Tension Tamer – another I
haven’t tried yet…herbal tea – ingredients: Eleuthero
ginseng root, peppermint leaves, cinnamon, ginger root, chamomile flowers,
lemon grass, licorice root, catnip leaves, tilia flowers, natural lemon flavor,
hops, and Vitamins B6, and B12.
Praying a sweet sleep to each of you who are also a ‘not by
choice’ night-owl!