Beat Chronic Insomnia With Herbal Potions

Relax, this is not an ad for a new "wonder drug". It is rather a plea to use the world's natural resources to treat insomnia.

If you want to find the best sleep remedies and help for your insomnia, the answer is right in front of your nose.

First, keep a few things in mind: every day our noses have to cope with millions of different scents, many of which affect us negatively.

Some of them wreak havoc with our sleep cycle and are a contributing factor in causing sleeping difficulties.

Aromatherapy - using the power of scent - can help you to relax and to more easily fall asleep. We all know how important it is to eat properly; this topic has - literally - millions of books written about it.

You may have several of these books around.

Getting the proper amount of sleep each night is just as important, but how many of us have glossy, hard-backed books that tell us how to get it? Try to think of famous "celebs" that have talked about "sleep" and the importance of it?

Each scent that you try, to help you beat your insomnia should be as close to natural as possible meaning that you should avoid the manufactured, chemical based version of them.

Health food stores and organic markets will have the essential oil which is the best to use.

Before going on to talk about the best scents to use, a small word of caution:

Be cautious with herbal medications, especially those that you intend to ingest or touch in any way.

Allergies can be very serious especially for those who are at increased risk for them in the first place. Test for sensitivity before trying them ...

If you are using herbal medications that you will be ingesting, keep in mind that herbals may interfere or interact with prescription medications, so always tell your doctor that you are using them.

Here are some of the most effective scents to help you relax and make it easier to sleep well:

Lavender: It has been known since the Middle Ages that lavender is both a tonic and a sedative, and that it can help against anxiety, headaches, insomnia and stress.

In the old days, dried lavender was tied into bunches and hung above beds or slipped under mattresses to promote sleep. Maybe your grandma's bedding smelt of lavender?

When straw mattresses were used, many people would include lavender in the stuffing as well. Think of it as a rather lumpy, but effective first attempt at aromatherapy.

To use lavender: add five to ten drops of essential lavender oil in a mister and then add water. Mix well and mist your bedding with the scented water.

If you are concerned about using lavender directly on your linens use a real lavender sachet under your pillows or above your bed.

Lavender is also fairly easy to grow, so having a potted plant at your bedside can be beneficial for sleep disorders as well.

Neroli: This is the scent of the orange blossom which is thought to be good for reducing stress, anxiety and possibly helping with trouble sleeping and insomnia.

The best way to use neroli is to add five to ten drops of real essential oil to unscented body lotion and then apply it just before going to bed.

Palmarosa: This scent is warmer, more floral, boosting the nervous system and clears muddled thinking. It is also very good for your skin.

Best used as a soak in a warm bath, palmarosa may be a great boost to your nighttime routine. To use: add five to ten drops of the essential oil to one ounce of almond oil and then add to a warm bath.

You can find a lot more of these natural herbal remedies in Rachel Adams eBook, "The Power Of Aroma Therapy". Using the power of smell is a natural way of calming your mind, as well as your body.

Our sense of smell affects us very strongly, on a deep, emotional level. We are usually not even aware of how powerful this effect is.

Have a look at this excellent resource by going to:

http://tinyurl.com/ylpzssf

(copy and paste into your browser if the link is not clickable).

It is very helpful to have a fixed bedtime routine as well. Adding the right scents can be the final touch!  )