More Ways to Cure Insomnia

Melatonin is a controversial hormone used successfully by many to regulate sleep cycles, especially when traveling, and for jet lag. Melatonin is made by your own pineal gland located in the brain and is the hormone believed to be responsible for your sleep/wake cycles, aging, and maybe even your dreams. Usually, supplements are made synthetically or from the pineal gland of a cow. Sunlight suppresses the brain’s production of melatonin, but when the sun goes down, melatonin production picks up, and makes you sleepy.
Supplementing with this hormone just before bed can help you—especially if you are over 50, when the production of this hormone seems to slow down.
Magnesium and calcium feed the nervous systems, among other things, and may help you get a better night’s rest. Because all the minerals in your body need balance, you can use a trace mineral supplement to make sure you are getting everything you need. Other herbs that work synergistically with scullcap include valerian, passion flower, and hops. Sip a nice warm cup of chamomile tea or any combination of these other herbs to help you relax and sleep.

Scullcap: Good for a Night Cap

Scullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) stimulates the brain to produce endorphins (commonly referred to as “feel-good hormones”), which not only can help you sleep, but also may ease your worry that could be keeping you up. Try a few capsules before bedtime to help you get your zzz’s.
Scullcap has been used historically in treatment of convulsions, delirium, emotional trauma, spasms, and restlessness. It also is used as an aphrodisiac (appropriate for this chapter!), so why not offer some to your partner if you both are lying there awake. Skullcap might be beneficial in giving you both something to do with that insomnia!
Scullcap presumably got its name from its appearance—the flower resembles a skull with a hood. Pagan ceremonies have used scullcap as a potion to be exchanged between partners who wished to be together in the afterlife.
Scullcap contains zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It also contains moderate amounts of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as manganese, silicon, phosphorus, iron, selenium, niacin, and trace amounts of sodium.

Insomnia: Waking Up to Herbal Possibilities

So, seen any great infomercials lately? If you have, this could mean that you are watching TV between 2 A.M. and 4 A.M., a sure sign of insomnia. And if those infomercials didn’t put you to sleep, maybe some of these herbs will do. Who knows—once you find the value of using herbs for your health, you could be the next one to star in an infomercial for your own herbal concoction!