There are many different causes of insomnia and a whole array of natural sleep remedies are available.

For occasional bouts of insomnia, herbal tinctures can have very good results. Tinctures are liquid extracts of herbs making them a convenient way to take herbs, without the need to make infusions.

Take half a teaspoon of Passionflower tincture (Passiflora incarnata) and half a teaspoon of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) tincture, mixed in a little warm water, one hour before going to bed.

Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that has been used for hundreds of years. As part of its botanical name ‘somnifera’ suggests, it is a non stimulating tonic which has been found to help with sleep. It is also an Adaptogen, which increases the body’s resistance to physical, biological and emotional stressors and provides a defense response to acute or chronic stress, helping restore balance.

Passionflower is a herb that is used specifically where insomnia is associated with anxiety. Research has shown that it helps people to fall asleep more easily and to wake less frequently during the night. Although scientists aren’t sure, it is believed that passionflower works by increasing levels of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA lowers the activity of some brain cells resulting in the ability to relax.

These and other tinctures can be obtained from most herbalists. Tinctures come in different strengths and the 1:2 or 1:3 strength would probably be best. Also always try to go for the organic ones.

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