 Nature's Way
with Alan Hayes
Dealing with Insomnia
All of us at some time have one of those nights where we toss and turn and just can't sleep. Fatigue, tension, anxiety, overexcitement or pain is some of the causes of an occasional sleepless night. We all need regular, restful, and sound, natural sleep to keep healthy. Sleep allows the mind and body to unwind and restores lost energy.
If you have had a hectic day, relax at night by avoiding evening activities that are mentally demanding. Don't bring your work home from the office. Drink a cup of chamomile tea instead of coffee or conventional tea after dinner and another cup half an hour before going to bed. Basil and borage herb tea is especially good for unwinding, and is relaxing and soothing. If you're really wound up, relax in a soothing and calming warm herbal bath.
Herbs you can use in the bath are bay leaf, chamomile, hyssop, lemon balm and lime (linden) flowers. Put two tablespoons of dried herbs of your choice in the centre of a 20 centimetre square of muslin. Draw up the sides and secure them with a piece of ribbon then hang them under the running tap so that the water gushes through it.
If you feel that your daily habits are not causing excessive fatigue so that you are unable to have a restful night's sleep, look at your sleeping environment. Choose a bed that is comfortable, yet firm, and will provide adequate support for your spine, and ensure that you get sufficient fresh air at night. Stuffy rooms will leave you feeling jaded in the morning, will dehydrate the skin, and can cause an accumulation of fluid around the eyes, making them baggy when you awake.
However, if you continually suffer from insomnia, your diet may be inadequate and you may not be getting sufficient vitamins and minerals to soothe jangled nerves and tone up the nervous system. Check your calcium and magnesium intake, and include the following foods in your diet: apples, avocado, barley, almonds, cabbage, celery, sweet-corn, lettuce, fresh sliced mushrooms, onions, leeks, spring onions, green peas, baked potatoes, brown rice, soy beans, spinach, sweet corn, turnips and tomatoes. If required, also take a daily supplement, available from your health food store.
A cup of valerian tea an hour before going to bed can help to re-establish a normal sleep cycle, and is safe to take in conjunction with any prescribed medication. However, valerian has an off-putting taste so blend it with equal amounts of a better-tasting herb such as mint. You can also add honey to taste, if required.
A drop of lavender oil on your pillow will also help to promote sound natural sleep. You can also try basil, chamomile, juniper, neroli or sandalwood essential oils.
When finally retiring, remove all external disturbances such as a ticking clock or a humming electrical machine. You may also try changing the lightbulb in your bedside table lamp to a low-voltage, soothing coloured one. Excellent colours are light shades of pink and certain tones of light green.
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