Sleep Disorders
Natural Remedies

  1. Home
  2. Ailments

Sleep Disorder Remedies

| Modified on Aug 21, 2019
Add New Post Comments

Sleep disorder treatments range from homeopathic and herbal therapies to supplements and home remedies. Herbal remedies like chamomile and hops, or supplements like magnesium, work to calm the mind and induce sleep.

What is a Sleep Disorder?

A sleep disorder is defined as a disturbance of a sleep pattern. This includes the inability to fall asleep, get back to sleep if you wake up, or frequently waking up during the night. Common sleep problems include insomnia, sleep apnea, sleep deprivation, and restless legs syndrome.

Natural Remedies for Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders can be treated using a wide range of homeopathic remedies depending on the presenting symptoms. One of the most popular homeopathic remedies for sleep is Coffea.  Another remedy is Cypripedium. These remedies seek to address the underlying cause of the sleep disorder.

Treating Sleep Disorders with Herbs

A number of herbal supplements have also been proven effective for treating sleep problems. Valerian, Passion Flower, Chamomile and Hops offer treatment to improve the quality of sleep. These herbs are natural and offer safe treatment for various sleeping issues and the associated symptoms.

Valerian

Valerian, a tall flowering grassland plant is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia and naturalized in North America. It has quite a strong odor that many find offensive. Some studies suggest valerian may be useful for insomnia and other sleep disorders. It is used to help calm a racing mind and worried thoughts.

Chamomile

Chamomile is an annual plant of the composite family Asteraceae. Chamomile has been used for centuries in different cultures and is known for its calming abilities. One Japanese study showed that rats taking chamomile extract fell asleep as quickly as rats that got a dose of a tranquilizing medicine. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid chamomile tea.

Passion Flower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has been used traditionally as a calming herb for insomnia in the Americas and Europe. As passionflower tends to be weaker than valerian, it is often combined with other herbs like lemon balm, chamomile and valerian. Scientists believe passionflower works by increasing levels of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain

Sleeping disorders can have a negative impact on health, energy and emotional states. Herbs and home remedies can often alleviate symptoms of some sleep issues.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Sort by Default New Loved

Bentonite Clay

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%
Write a review
Posted by Lightawake (Auckland, New Zealand) on 01/03/2016
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Hi,

I have tried lots of remedies over the years for depression/candida/anxiety-related insomnia. I had found that eye masks and ear plugs helped me to have unbroken sleep, however bed/wake-up times were still volatile, and also I found that I could not wake up relatively easily like a normal person. If I tried to wake up any earlier (and I mean even 15 minutes) than my body dictated, I would be exhausted and unable to think, and like a zombie for the whole remaining day. I had to be REALLY careful that I woke up very gently and VERY slowly, was not disturbed by any noises at the crucial time - I would typically have to plan about an hour and a half to wake up, with much coaxing and help from my partner, if I had an appointment I needed to get to. I don't know if I have low blood pressure, but I feel this waking problem was related to the depression/candida/anxiety.

Recently I was drawn to bentonite clay I saw at a local natural cosmetics shop, and took 1 tsp in a 1/3 glass of water before bedtime, an hour after eating. Not only did it immediately feel physically, internally good (as if my body cells were being lightened, and perhaps helping with the sluggishness from the candida), but I found that for the first time in about 10 years I was able to wake up the next morning with ease. It was a sudden and significant difference. I was sleepy when I awoke, but I felt refreshed and easily felt ready to get up!! I have tried different therapies, but nothing had been able to help me wake up comfortably like the clay is continuing to do; I have now been taking it for a week.

The lady at the shop told me that it was mainly for heavy metal detox, and for the full detox effects, it should be taken at a dose of 1T in 1/3 C of water per evening for about 2-3 months - so I will listen to my body and slowly up the dosage over that time. (FYI, The product I was initially looking at was a natural sunscreen with bentonite clay in it, which also felt really good for my skin). Anyway, I hope this might help someone else with extreme difficulties waking up like a normal person!

Niacinimide, Borage Oil

Posted by A Relieved Wife (Lexington, Ky) on 01/13/2014

My husband has a sleeping disorder that has never been diagnosed. I think it may be sleep apnea. Often if he slightly wakes up during the night he will start jumping/twitching every 20 seconds. I've timed him. It can go on for half an hour. Just one jump/twitch and then 20 seconds later another one. We both started taking niacinimide and borage after reading about it on Earth Clinic. Guess what!! NO MORE SLEEP ISSUES! Quite amazing. He's sleeping well through the night instead of this erratic sleep. And he's waking up looking more refreshed. I don't know which one did the trick or both together. He takes a lot of other supplements and these are the only 2 new ones we started recently.

Thanks for all who have been writing about these 2 great supplements.

A relieved and happy wife!

Replied by Tony
(Tn, Usa)
01/13/2014

Hello to A Relieved Wife from Lexington, Ky:

I'm using Niacin & an omega 3-6-9 fish oil supplement myself. I really haven't noticed it helping with my sleep. However, it's helping me with anxiety, blood pressure, & inflammation. The Niacin is recommended by Bill here at EC in treating mental health disorders along with as a support nutrient for treating candida.

I have multiple health issues myself so I too take a bunch of supplements. Maybe others here at EC can try this combination of niacin & borage oil to help with sleep patterns. Thanks for sharing & God Bless!

Pillow for the Neck

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%
Write a review
Posted by Matt (East Coast) on 08/21/2019
 ★★★★★

Don't forget: A good Pillow helps, for me, the most. I like a pillow with a neck roll because it maintains the neck curve. My favorite, and I've been using one for years, is a cervical traction pillow!

Sleepwalking Remedies

Posted by Beverly (Olympia, Wa) on 01/12/2014

I have been diagnosed with both REM behavior disorder and sleepwalking. The medication they give for each is contradictive to one another. The one medication is called Klonipin and it's awful... I refuse to take it, based on what I've read. Do you have any ideas of something natural I could try? I started taking insulin (at bedtime) about a month ago and I don't care what anybody says, my sleepwalking and REM behavior disorder has gotten much worse. I'm exhausted, but afraid to fall asleep. If I take Benadryl I don't sleepwalk, but I obviously can't take that every day.

Replied by Mike62
(Denver)
01/13/2014

Beverly: Raw cocoa powder, Hawaiian spirulina, marine phytoplankton, expeller pressed coconut oil, skate liver oil, raw or smoked salmon from frozen, and at amazon get the certified organic maca powder incredibly potent fresh harvest by the maca team. This has white, red, and black maca, and 4 times the macosides because of the cold drying procedure. Take 3g daily. Watch raw food videos.

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee, Usa)
01/13/2014

Beverly,

I don't know if you consume caffeine, but that can cause sleepwalking. I had a teenage son who had almost never had caffeine and he had a caffeinated soda one day and slept walked for the first time that night! I have seen the same with others.

If Benadryl works, I would be hopeful that there are some natural things that would work. Chamomile tea (or sleepytime tea) is helpful for some, taken at bedtime. Valerian Root, taken at bedtime helps some.

You can buy or make "sleep tinctures" that do help. I had a son with insomnia for a while and this did help him. We made a homemade tincture and it helped. I can post the recipe if you like.

Keep us posted! I hope you are able to resolve this soon!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Prioris
(Fl)
01/13/2014

YOUR HEALTH PROBLEM COULD HAVE SPIRITUAL CAUSES.

I would look into spiritual causes for sleep walking. You may be effected by a ghostly spirit or entity. Most health problems are related to the physical body but some have spiritual causes. Sometime it can be both. It makes no sense why it would be caused by something physical. Putting prescription drugs in your system isn't addressing root causes.

Medicine is very oriented to the physical aspect. We are spiritual beings also. Do a google search and get a different perspective.

Replied by Janet
(Boston, Ma)
01/14/2014

Hi Beverly, can you let us know what supplements and herbs you have tried? Do you take vitamins and minerals on a daily basis? If so, which ones? Once we hear what alternative treatments you are trying, someone might have a better idea. Magnesium supplementation is critical.

Replied by Mary
(Arcadia, CA)
08/16/2014
51 posts

My son does sleep walk which scares the heck out of me. He walks all over and his eyes are big and glazed when he does it. Is there a remedy for this?

I don't want him to go to a neurologist because they give tons of medications. Is there help for him? I usually will wake him up when he does it.

He went to san francisco this weekend and I fear he will drive or walk in the middle of the night. I know at times he will drink Coke before he sleeps. this might be the culprit because he never drinks coffee. Thank you and bless you all.

Peace, Mary

Replied by Mama to Many
(Tennessee)
08/16/2014

Dear Mary,

I have had several sleepwalking children. It is stressful and I too worry when they are away from home!

When we had a little one (4 or so) that was a sleep walker, we had an extra high lock on the door for fear he would try and go outside in the middle of the night and we wouldn't know it.

I have noticed a correlation between caffeine and sleepwalking. One of my sons slept walked for the first time when he had a soda with caffeine that day. (And he rarely had caffeine back ten.) He is an adult now and drinks coffee daily but it has been years since he slept walked. I guess his body adjusted.

My little ones tend to sleep walk when they need to empty their bladder in the middle of then night. I have learned when they show up in the night to just take them to the bathroom.

We have not really dealt with chronic sleepwalking, however. If this were one of my children I would have them try Natural Calm (magnesium supplement) as it is helpful for sleep. I sleep like a rock when I take a spoonful in some water before bed.

I will look forward to hearing how others deal with this.

Let us know how it goes!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Shadel
(Nebraska)
05/13/2017

I would like to ask for the 'sleep tinctures' recipe/recipes that 'Mama to Many' posted on 1-13-2014. Thank you.


Advertisement

Please note that we use cookies necessary for the functioning of our website, cookies that optimize the performance. To learn more about our cookies, how we use them and their benefits, please read our Privacy Policy