Do you take morphine for headaches? No, I thought not. Why is it then that millions of people each year reach for the valium bottle the moment sleep resists them? Make no mistake, valium is a strong drug, and its use should be severely restricted. Even if taken for only a couple of weeks it can and does cause a lifetime’s dependence. Is that worth a few more hours of sleep?
But there is another way; a healthy and natural way that has been used for thousands of years and is still being used today. There are more herbs and other natural remedies in existence than you can shake a stick at, and certainly more than could be listed here. These though, are considered by researchers to be the most beneficial.
Valerian is a perennial plant that grows wild all over Europe and the United states and has been used for centuries to treat one ailment or another. The roots of this plant are used and although they might smell like dirty underwear don’t let that put you off. Valerian is used as a mild sedative to reduce anxiety so if you can’t sleep because of a stressful job or marriage (or both) then valerian could help you. You can take it in a tea or tablets or even add it to a hot relaxing bath. Another good source is the passionflower. This contains a gentle relaxant when taken in tea form. Then there are other herbs like chamomile and kava, California poppy and basil. All of these have for centuries been reported to have sleep aiding properties.
Perhaps the most important factor when thinking about taking herbal remedies is that they are all perfectly safe and without serious side effects. So throw the valium away and try some herbs. What do you have to lose?
