Can anyone suggestion an herbal or OTC medication I could try for insomnia?

I have a wicked time getting to sleep. Once asleep, I'm fine and rarely wake up until the morning. My problem is getting there....

If I tried melatonin or trytophan, could someone recommend a dosage?

It seems that oftentimes my body is tired, but my mind is going a million miles an hour. Lately I've been starting to stress about going to bed, and I know that certainly doesn't help the situation.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Marie

I have read about valerian, which to take for about two weeks before it begins to work. It may be helpful.

Hi Marie,
There are several homeopathic remedies that I have used and they work. "Calms" by Hylands, Passiflora 30X. Arnica is super for bruises from falls but it is also good at calming the mind when trying to go to sleep.
Just follow the directions on the bottle.
You can get them at most health food stores.
God Bless---Harry

Hi MMMarie, I've tried melatonin and loved it! But it was combined with chamomileflowers,hops,valerian root and the melatonin all in one. I took two pills and within 20 to 30 minutes I fell asleep. What I liked about it the best was that the next morning I had absolutly no side affects. Its definatly something that you should check out. Good luck!

Hey maybe you could try something like going to sleep with music (relaxing) plaing in the backgorund. I know where you are coming form but I found the best way to geet to sleep fast is after say 10 o'clock don't do anything stressful. It will just get your mind running at a hundred miles a minute! I hope you sleep soon!

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the way you see yourself is not the way everyone else sees you

To decrease stress in general I have found kava kava to be helpful. Barb

Thanks for the replies! At asked about melatonin at the pharmacy today, and apparently it isn't available in Canada! hmmm I never thought to ask why it wasn't available....

I have tried an herbal tea that contains chamomile and a few other things, but truthfully, it did nothing for me. Haven't tried valerian yet......i'm such a chicken when it comes to trying anything new. Someone mentioned Arnica. Is that a brand name or a herb of some sort? I'm in Canada, and it seems they don't carry nearly as much as the States do.

I am actually working on some learning some relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, visualization, etc. in hopes that that will help.....eventually. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif I also bought one of those 'sound machines'....It is an alarm clock, but also has ten buttons for sounds such as rain, birds, waterfall, etc. I suppose it helps, but really, I hate sound of any kind at night. A big problem for me is that I have horrible tinnitus which doesn't let up. So it's hard for me to try and not let it bother me. It really is very loud.

Anyhow, thanks again. I really appreciated the replies.

Colette,
I love your quote! :)

Hey maybe you could try something like going to sleep with music (relaxing) plaing in the backgorund. I know where you are coming form but I found the best way to geet to sleep fast is after say 10 o'clock don't do anything stressful. It will just get your mind running at a hundred miles a minute! I hope you sleep soon!

------------------
the way you see yourself is not the way everyone else sees you

Hi MMMarie, I've tried melatonin and loved it! But it was combined with chamomileflowers,hops,valerian root and the melatonin all in one. I took two pills and within 20 to 30 minutes I fell asleep. What I liked about it the best was that the next morning I had absolutly no side affects. Its definatly something that you should check out. Good luck!

Can you mention the Brand name? So someone can try it?
Thanks! :confused:

Thanks for the replies! At asked about melatonin at the pharmacy today, and apparently it isn't available in Canada! hmmm I never thought to ask why it wasn't available....

I have tried an herbal tea that contains chamomile and a few other things, but truthfully, it did nothing for me. Haven't tried valerian yet......i'm such a chicken when it comes to trying anything new. Someone mentioned Arnica. Is that a brand name or a herb of some sort? I'm in Canada, and it seems they don't carry nearly as much as the States do.

I am actually working on some learning some relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, visualization, etc. in hopes that that will help.....eventually. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif I also bought one of those 'sound machines'....It is an alarm clock, but also has ten buttons for sounds such as rain, birds, waterfall, etc. I suppose it helps, but really, I hate sound of any kind at night. A big problem for me is that I have horrible tinnitus which doesn't let up. So it's hard for me to try and not let it bother me. It really is very loud.

Anyhow, thanks again. I really appreciated the replies.


I asked about Canada and melatonin. You are allowed to carry only up to 3mg melatonin in Canada. Every one says it is banned but it actually is just the dose that is regulated. Some health food stores in Canada do carry them. You have to ask. Good luck. :wave:

I can also recommend melatonin. I have sleep problems due to a cronic pain condition.

Every night before bed I take Ornithine to help me sleep, nad most nights this does it for me. If I stil can't sleep and get restless and unable to relax in bed I get up and make a glas of a calcium and magnesium supplement which helps me relax, and 3mg - 6mg of melatonin.

You can get Ornithine from online stores that sel Hulda Clark recommended products. I don't know if other stores have it.

The calcium/magnesium I use is called calmac from Nutrina, and is disolved in hot water, whcih alows for quick assimilation.