I was wondering if anyone here had tried St. John's Wort or Kava Kava?

I have read that they can help for insomnia.......my challenge is the 'getting to sleep' part. Once I'm asleep, I rarely wake up until the morning.

Any advice? Or...does anyone know of any good herbal remedies that might help induce sleep?

Thanks!

Kava is the name given by Pacific islanders to both Piper methysticum, a shrub belonging to the pepper family Piperaceae, and the psychoactive beverage made from it. P. wichmannii is now seen to be a wild variant of P. methysticum rather than a genuinely distinct species. P. methysticum is a hardy perennial which often grows up to three metres or more. The rootstock or stump contains the psychoactive substances. Its psychoactive constituents are called kavalactones and, despite claims to the contrary, there seem to be no psychoactive alkaloids in kava. The roots and stumps of kava are prepared by pounding, chewing or grinding them and soaking them in cold water. Drinking the resulting infusion has a soporific and narcotic effect. More specifically the user typically feels a state of mild euphoria and tranquillity. The muscles relax and the user remains in control; outbursts such as those precipitated by alcohol are alien to the kava experience. As its effects go on its soporific qualities come to the fore and the user falls asleep. Occasionally drinkers may experience mild side effects such as double vision. Excessive drinking of kava has significant effects on the health particularly skin complaints and loss of appetite.

http://onhealth.webmd.com/alternative/resource/herbs/item,16017.asp





St. John's Wort
The following frequently asked questions on St. John's Wort are extracted from the book St. John's Wort: Nature's Blues Busteras well as other health practitioners.


Cautions Regarding St. John's Wort
We have been asked about recent reports concerning the safety of St. John's wort. While safe when taken by itself, it has the potential to dilute the effectiveness of certain drugs by speeding their processing by the liver, with possibly serious consequences.

These findings prompted the Food and Drug Administration to issue a warning about such interactions.

Here is a summary of possible adverse effects:

1. St. John's wort can interfere with the effectiveness of protease inhibitors used for treatment of HIV infection.

2. St. John's wort appears to have contributed to heart transplant rejection in 2 cases by interfering with the drug Cyclosporine.

(Both of these are from recent issues of the medical journal, Lancet, references 1 and 2)

3. St. John's Wort may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. A 1999 study in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology reported menstrual irregularities caused by St. John's Wort in women on the pill.

No studies have detected a St. John's wort-inspired pregnancy boom, but no one would have known to make the connection until recently. However, better to be on the safe side and avoid the combination, pending more definite information.

4. St. John's Wort interferes with the heart drug Digoxin and the blood-thinning drug Warfarin (Coumadin). Because slight changes in the activity of these two drugs could have serious health consequences, potential interactions with St. John's Wort are particularly worrisome. (3)

5. There have been a few recent case reports of problems with combining St. John's Wort with drugs in the Prozac family (SSRIs) thus raising serotonin too much. Do not combine St. John's Wort with prescription antidepressants except on the specific advice of a physician. The antimigraine drug Sumatriptan (Imitrex) and the pain-killing drug Tramadol also raise serotonin levels and might interact similarly with St. John's Wort. You also need to exercise caution when switching from a drug to St. John's Wort. (4,5)

(See transitioning from medications to St. John's Wort in Dr.Cass' book St John's Wort: Nature's Blues Buster.)

6. Older reports suggested that St. John's Wort works like the class of drugs known as MAO inhibitors. This led to a number of warnings, including avoiding cheese and decongestants while taking St. John's Wort. However, St. John's Wort is no longer believed to act like an MAO inhibitor, and these warnings are now thought to be groundless.

7. Previous concerns that St. John's Wort interfered with the use of anesthesia are likely invalid.

8. One study raised questions about possible antifertility effects of St. John's Wort. When high concentrations of St. John's Wort were placed in a test tube with hamster sperm and ova, the sperm were damaged and less able to penetrate the ova. However, since it is unlikely that the actual plant extract, at this high a level of concentration, would come in contact with sperm and ova when they are in the body, the test-tube results do not translate into a meaningful concern.

These last three "non-concerns" aside, the newer information reminds us that "safe natural products" are not always entirely safe. Interestingly enough, despite widespread use of this herb in Germany for over a decade, German authorities have recorded no reports of drug interactions. We notice too that any slightly negative news regarding herbal remedies becomes "catastrophized," while far more serious side effects, including deaths, from drugs are brushed over. Could this be a backlash from the pharmaceutical industry? For example, a recent study showing St. John's Wort to be no more effective than a placebo was sponsored by Pfizer, the manufacturer of an SSRI (Zoloft). Makes you wonder...

We will continue to monitor the literature for further reports on these issues. Stay tuned!

References:

1. Ernst E (1999). Second thoughts about safety of St. John's Wort. Lancet 354: 1014-1015.

2. Piscitelli SC, Burstein AH, Chaitt D, et al. Indinavir concentrations and St John's Wort. Lancet 355(9203): 548, 2000.

3. Johne A, et al. Pharmacokinetic interaction of digoxin with an herbal extract from St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1999;66(4):338-345

4. Demott K. St. John's Wort tied to Serotonin Syndrome. Clin Psychiatr News 26: 28, 1998.

5. Gordon JB. SSRIs and St. John's Wort: Possible Toxicity? Am Fam Phys 57: 950, 1998.

MMMarie,

In addition to the herbs that you mention, there are many herbs that have been used to help sleep such as valerian, chamomile, hops, passionflower, and skullcap. Compared to prescription drugs, herbs are reportedly much safer, if taken properly in small amounts. But care must be taken to understand the proper amount of herbs to take, and the duration of treatment etc. Also the method of preparation and knowing how pure your herbs are, are important too. Herbal therapy is actually quite a science. If you are considering using herbs, I recommend you do lots of research to thoroughly understand it, and try to find a health professional that can help you as well.

If you didn't have a lot of time to do this research about herbs, you could find some of these herbs already prepared, such as you would find with Celestial Seasonings tea. These are very mild herbal teas, that are very popular.

Often before I consider using herbs, I try to find if there are other natural things that I could do first, such as with diet and exercise. With trying to go to sleep, I have found that exercise has always been most helpful.

Many years ago, when I was in college, I had trouble running (because of my illness - now cured), I started lifting weights. I lifted very heavy weights (110 lbs. over my head) many times an evening. I found that not only was this weight exercising good for me to be physically fit, but I found that it made me so very sleepy at night. My arms and shoulders hit the bed, like I could not move another muscle, and I went into a very deep sleep quickly. Each person is different when lifting weights and other forms of exercising, so it's best to always start out slowly with a light exercise regimen, and then build up to a level that you are most comfortable doing. Exercise also can be a great stress reliever. So without drugs or even herbs, you can regulate your body naturally and feel great too.

FaultyLogic are you still copying from the quackwatch?

St. John's Wort. The truth:As a healing herb, the plant is thought to have been traditionally used for anxiety, depression, burns, wounds, bruises, nerve injuries, rheumatism, gout, jaundice, neuralgia, inflammation and ulcers. Usage in England can be traced back as far as the 1600’s. With the onset of European colonization of America, it was discovered that the Native people of America also prescribed this herb for medicinal purposes. They are said to have used St. John’s Wort for the treatment of diarrhea, fevers, snakebite, wounds and some skin problems. It was a common folk remedy in the 1800’s for infection and inflammation, however, as with many herbs, it lost it’s appeal by the early 1900’s and further with the onset of antibiotics and modern allopathic medicine.

Though its popularity in America waned , its usage continued in Germany where it was used internally to treat depression, anxiety, nervous unrest and externally for contusions, myalgia, and first degree burns.
Today, Hypericum Perforatum is a very common antidepressant sold in Germany, and there is speculation that it is prescribed four times more often than fluoxetine hydrochloride. 5 In the US for 1997, this herb was recorded as generating more than $45 million in sales annually. 8 Recently in America and due to it’s increasing popularity12, the United States Pharmacopoeia/ National Formulary published a monograph and compendial standard for St. John’s Wort ( November 15th, 1998 - Ninth Supplement to the USP 23*NF 18 ) as part of it’s Botanical monograph series. (Note: the USP was established in 1820 to create standards for the use and quality of pharmaceuticals and combined with the National Formulary in 1980).9/10
Studies have also been conducted on its efficacy in treating seasonal affective disorder. In vitro investigations of Hypericum show possible antiviral activity. Also being reviewed is its usage in the enhancement of wound healing, as well as anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. 16 (See Pharmacology and Clinical Studies)

St John’s Wort is considered a safe herb and incidents of adverse reactions are rare however it is not recommended for allergic or photosensitive individuals. 8/20

MMMarie,
I personally have really good luck using melatonin to fall asleep. Melatonin is not an herb - it is a hormone. You can easily find it at health food stores. I have read 2 books about it. The dose needed varies widely among people. I am even aware of 2 different Pediatricians who "prescribe" it to children. It is not a prescription medication so the parents buy it over-the-counter. Children generally should not need melatonin because children produce a lot of their own melatonin but these children are special needs children. I would suggest reading up on melatonin if you want to consider trying it. I think it is best to try to educate yourself on any herbs or non-prescription products that you are considering trying. I have known a few people who hear something on TV or from others about an herb and run out and buy it and take huge quantities of it - more is not always better and many herbs should be discontinued prior to surgery due to bleeding problems, etc. Best of luck!
Brookej

I posted the url where I got that information, and no, it was not quackwatch, although quackwatch does contain a wealth of valuable information.

It would be better to examine why you are having trouble falling asleep, than taking herbal drugs. Perhaps you're taking in too many stimulants (herbal or otherwise), or not getting enough physical activity during the daytime. Any substance used to induce sleep, be it a pharmaceutical preparation, an herb, or alcohol, can be habit-forming.
Instead, just use your insomnia productively, or learn to relax.

Thanks, everyone, for the replies!!!

I have tried the Celestial Teas (SleepyTime Tea) and they have no affect on me. I could probably drink gallons and gallons...

Brooke - I will read up on melatonin. Do you take it for insomnia, and does it actually help you?

I agree that exercise would be good.... however, I don't exercise 'per se'. I have rheumatoid arthritis and have alot of joint erosion, so exercise is out of the question. I do, however, have 2 kids, so am constantly on the go and doing stuff for them, so that probably amounts to alot of "exercise", actually. lol

I have always been apprehensive about trying any new medications..... but what if they actually helped! I am working on relaxation techniques, etc. and am presently reading a book on meditation. (I know, sounds strange, but what if it actually helps??)

My doctor is very anti-drug and will not prescribe anything that can be addictive, so I'm really at a loss as to what to do.

Thanks again.

Hello, i've come across some herbs over the internet to help with sleep, i have anxiety problems, not sleep problems, but i've read that passionflower or valerian work good, but together they help for sleep. I was talking to a friend on the phone today and she takes them together to help her go to sleep. I've tried St. John's oil wort, and it didn't help me go to sleep. I hope this helps.

Melissa