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.
Skullcap
Posted by Barb (Seattle, USA) on 08/09/2007
★★★★★
I have insomnia related to stress and physical pain. Magnesium helps somewhat. Kava has helped. Unfortunately, benadril is what gave the most relief the past few months. But I seem to be able to take less benadril by using a liquid tincture of the herb skullcap. I use one dropperful before a warm tub each night, then go to bed. I have used melatonin but it gave me bad dreams. I will continue to experiment and keep you informed if I touch on anything else worth mentioning.
Magnesium Citrate
Posted by Mama To Many (Middle, Tennessee, Usa) on 05/10/2013
Sleepy time tea does make me have to get up at night, too. But, if it is effective, you could make a sleepytime tincture, which would require a lot less liquid. You may be able to get some pre-make sleep tincture or your could make your own. One of my sons had terrible insomnia for a year and we made a sleep tincture that helped him a lot. Ray Comfort's book, Overcoming Insomnia was also helpful and humorous.
Here is the recipe for sleep tincture: equal parts of catnip, chamomile, passionflower, oatstraw and lemon balm. 1/4 part hops. Fill a glass jar with this. Cover the dry herbs with vodka. Let stand 2 weeks. Strain off herbs. Take 1 teaspoon in a little water at bedtime. You could even do this with a box of sleepytime tea. just put all the bags from the box in a jar and cover with vodka. (You can use glycerine if you want it alcohol free, it just won't be quite as strong. ) Let sit for two weeks and then remove tea bags. Take 1 teaspoon in a little water at bedtime. If you want it in a hurry, use the crock pot method. Place a towel in a crock pot. Place jar (I use a canning har) on towel. Fill crock pot with warm water to an inch below the top of the jar. Set crock pot on Low. Slow cook the tincture for 3 days. (You will have to keep adding water. I do not put a lid on the crock pot as the water gets a little too hot this way. ) Strain out the herbs. 1 teaspoon at bedtime.
Hope you find a good solution, soon!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Sandy (sandhya) (Bangalore, India) on 12/06/2009
★★★★★
Coconut oil for good sleep...when I oil pull in the night with coconut oil, I feel sleepy after that, and get good sleep that night.
Amino Acids
Posted by Rainman (Central, Vt, Usa) on 06/02/2010
I don't know if this will help... but, I started taking L-Tyrosine awhile back. I would take 100mg at night, usually with dinner (I weigh around 180lbs). It really helped me sleep... Within a couple hours I would begin to feel really relaxed. Once in bed, I would fall asleep fast. I actually fell into deep sleep faster than I ever have in my entire life. However, it wasn't as easy waking up either. I felt so relaxed in the morning I didn't want to get out of bed. Which is why I stopped taking it. But, it really helped me through a tough time. I would also try some camomille tea... I have a comomille, mint, lavender tea that really helps me to relax before bed. Something warm in my stomach always helps.
Amino Acids
Posted by Rosali (Mumbai, India) on 05/09/2012
I would suggest you to try homoeopathic remedies for insomnia for a long lasting relief. These remedies are prescribed based on the constitution of the person. They work on our body by calming and strengthening the nerves, slowing down your thought process and relieving your anxiety, helping you fall asleep more easily and improving the quantity and quality of sleep which will keep you refreshed and energized. Some of the frequently used remedies for the treatment of insomnia are Sleep CM INS formula, C35 INS formula, C55 neurocalming formula, etc.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by John Welch (Fl) on 03/06/2016
Yes, potassium would be a major factor in "turning off" the adrenals and thus cortisol production. I use 3 drops Lugol's and two caps Apple Cider Vinegar. I'm going to try mixing in the honey and sodium bicarbonate.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Scott (Oil City) on 10/15/2006
★★★★★
I have been suffering from acid reflux for about 8 years .I have been to the doctor and have been on all of the prescription ppi drugs,currently on prilosec otc.I always had to back them up with tums ,Rolaids ect.None work for the long term. Tried ACV two nights ago seems to work. I have also for the last year been having problems sleeping, which then gave me migraines. I had my best sleep in two years the last two nights. Don't know if the ACV had any thing to do with that , but I love the side effect.
Ear Plugs
Posted by Lightawake (Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand) on 05/08/2010
hi, thank you for this warning! i just tried it for the last week and though it has worked very well for a week (though it`s slipping back now...well 4 years insomnia is a tough one to beat i guess), i was wondering about the possibility of getting dependent on them, and also noticed that my ears are already a bit sensitive. it`s good, but ill be wary of that, thanks!
Ear Plugs
Posted by Stacy (Tampa, Florida) on 07/20/2011
I have been using earplugs every night for at least a year. Yes, you become dependant. I even have to use one or two during the day if I need a nap. However if you do become dependant on them I'd like to give a few tips that will change your life.
#1 is baby oil. Swab lightly with it every night/every other night before bed. Also drop in into your ears several times a week during the day. You'll want to leave a small piece of cotton in your ears so the oil doesn't drain out onto your face (causing blemishes) for a few hours after using baby oil as a drop. The baby oil softens the ear wax and will sooth your sensitive ears.
#2 don't allow water in your ear. It may cause infections because the earplugs don't allow your ears to dry out after a shower. Use baby oil to keep the water out.
#3 use peroxide once or twice a month to get rid of earwax unless you have a ruptured eardrum. It will be shockingly cold and make some crazy noise, but unless it hurts leave it in for as long as tolerated. DO NOT do this often as it will agitate your ears. I've also stopped ear infections from coming on by using peroxide. So... Never put anything deep into your ear (ei a cotton swab) except baby oil and peroxide. Let them dry out on their own.
Ear Plugs
Posted by Todd (San Diego) on 09/16/2006
★★★★★
Earplugs -- LOL. i can't believe i never thought of this. definitely is doing the trick.
Magnesium
Posted by Donna (Aspen, CO) on 07/20/2006
★★★★★
It makes me sleep great, just magnesium, without the calcium. My brother told me that magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant~ like valium!
Sleep Mask
Posted by Leslie (Toronto, Canada) on 03/22/2006
★★★★★
I tend to forget to wear it, but a few yrs back my friend got me a sleep mask for my eyes. Whenever I wear this mask, I have the DEEPEST sleeps and most vivid dreams. Without the mask, it usually takes me ages to fall asleep, and even when I do, I'm always waking up. I suggest these masks to anyone who has trouble staying asleep. My only concern is that it does such a good job at keeping my eyes in darkness, that I've rolled right off the bed a couple times when waking up, because I'm disoriented and don't realize where I am on the bed. A small price to pay though for some needed sleep!
L-Glutamine
Posted by Victoria (Florence, KY) on 02/26/2006
★★★★★
I tried L-Glutamine after complete colon cleanse and Candida treatment called ThreeLac. Insomnia was one of the symptoms that surprisingly disappeared. While L-Glutamine is an amino acid, and supports the body in many ways, I learned through this experience (and the guidance of a very good Holistic Chiropractor) that when this amino acid is first introduced into the body, the colon just loves it, and sucks it up. As the mucous membranes of the colon are regenerated, insomnia is one of the symptoms that fall to the wayside. I did use the L-Glutamine after a round of the candida treatment, which irradicates an overgrowth of Candida and helps to balance the pH levels of the colon and body. There is also product called HGH at night, which is rich in L-Glutamine, but this is not the original source that I took. I originally took a powder form, about 1,500 mcg. daily, first thing in the morning, as it is loaded with protein and jump starts the metabolism.
Melatonin
Posted by Stephanie (NC) on 10/20/2005
★★★★★
Melatonin is WONDERFUL! My daughter (11 yrs.) has always had terrible problems going to sleep...until I started her on Melatonin. She takes 1 pill (300 mcg.) about 1-1/2 hrs. before bed and has had no trouble falling asleep since the first time she took Melatonin. Also have a 22 yr. old nephew who has had sleep problems for a few years. He takes a larger dose before bedtime - has been falling asleep at bedtime with no problems since his first dose. What a God-send!!!
Ear Plugs
Posted by Joella (Newport Beach, CA)
★★★★★
I had been suffering for months from restless sleep. Couldn't figure out why I was waking up so often in the middle of the night. And then, even if I slept through the night, I would awaken feeling like I hadn't slept at all. Then I went on vacation and brought some soft foam ear plugs with me in case of a loud hotel neighbor. Even though it was a quiet hotel, I decided to try to sleep with the ear plugs anyway. I noticed a difference in the quality of sleep immediately. It was unbelievable. I awoke feeling deeply rested. What a relief! At any rate, I decided to try this at home in Los Angeles and see if my restful sleep continued. Sure enough, it did. After a few months of this, I went back to sleeping without ear plugs and haven't had a problem since. I highly recommend this simple and inexpensive tool for people suffering from lack of quality sleep. I think the reason this works so well is because all but two sounds are blocked: the sound of your own breath and the thump thump of your heart beat. Doesn't get any more peaceful than that! No dogs barking, airplanes flying overhead, husband snoring beside you... I think that outside sounds wake us up far more than we realize, contributing to a restless night of sleep.
Ear Plugs
Posted by Becky (Louisville, KY)
★★★★★
I have suffered with chronic insomnia and am a strong believer in using earplugs (plus my husband has a breathing machine for his sleep apnea) but make sure they are a high enough level. I got my sister in law to try sleeping with them but she didn't give it enough time. It can be bothersome at first and you need to know that earplugs won't block out all sound. You can hear the clock radio, you can hear your child cry from their bedroom, you can hear your partner speak to you but you'll probably want to take the earplugs out for a conversation!
Melatonin
Posted by Lisa (Vero Beach)
★★★★★
I have found melatonin to work well for sleep. Also just heard magnesium prior to sleep works - I will be trying that tonight.
Melatonin
Posted by Rob (Gilbert, Arizona)
★★★★★
Melatonin has been a God-send for me. I'm a terrible insomniac, especially on business trip. I don't like druggy meds, so I tried melatonin several years ago. About 20 minutes after taking one I drifted quite naturally off to sleep. Now, I still take them occassionally, but usually just the thought that they're in the medicine cabinet is enough to relax me to sleep! Melotonin induces the body's 'down time' mechanisms which night owls like me tend to inhibit. Now I know to relax, read a book, watch tv, or just 'chill' about 20 minutes before bed, this behavior allows the body to naturally produce it's own melatonin and drift peacefully to sleep. - sleep tight!
Melatonin
Posted by Hannah (Vancouver, BC)
★★★★★
Melatonin has also been beneficial to me for sleep. I also use at varying times: -lavender essential oil rubbed into my skin (with a carrier oil) spray lavender water in the bedroom -take a "tea" of honey and apple cider vinegar (adjusting to taste) with water. (1/4 cup does the trick). -another idea, is to turn off the electrical things (like tv, computer etc) an hour before bed to allow the body to slow down and let it's natural melatonin do it's job. Turn off the lights and light a candle and have quiet time an hour before bed. Sweet dreams!
Colon Cleanse
Posted by Ellie (Avon, NY)
★★★★★
Do a thorough colon cleanse.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pete (New York) on 12/06/2015
How do you prepare the apple cider with the kcup in the keurig coffee maker?
Lavender Tea
Posted by mr blake (Ontario) on 07/07/2023
★★★★★
A cup of lavender tea before bed is good for insomnia. Add about 1 tbsp or 4 tsp to 2 cups of hot not boiling water let steep.
Thyme Essential Oil
Posted by mr black (Ontario) on 06/20/2023
★★★★★
Thyme tea for insomnia
Thyme can be consumed in tea form to help with sleep issues.
Vitamin D
Posted by Mister (EUSSR) on 11/18/2022
High vitamin D can lead to terrible insomnia and, secondary to that, exacerbate all your symptoms.
Bone Broth
Posted by GertJr (Madison) on 11/14/2022
Fantastic! I usually use bones for broth that are given to me by a friend. They raise one hog and one steer every year for personal consumption and cannot use all the bones so give me a good bit of them. He also hunts, so I get turkey and venison bones as well. All natural, so I feel comfortable using them for my bone broth. Unfortunately, I have no good source for chicken bones. Even though I keep chickens, I rarely butcher them. But, this past weekend, I butchered a particularly vicious cock and he's been invited to dinner tonight. I will put those bones into my stewpot and cook them down. I am looking forward to seeing if this works for me as well. BTW, I don't think there's anything magical about bone broth, but I do feel it contains something we need in a form usable to us. Sure wish I knew what that was but, meh, as long as it works and we know how to get it, I'm good with that. Thanks for the hint.
