People suffering from insomnia often choose natural remedies for treating their insomnia. Such remedies include herbal remedies, such as chamomile tea or lemon balm, are usually harmless for most people. However, it should be duly noted that just because a natural remedy is labeled "natural", it does not equate to being safe. Herbal remedies are not regulated and some contain conventional medicines.
by AshDerbe


People suffering from insomnia often choose natural remedies for treating their insomnia. Such remedies include herbal remedies, such as chamomile tea or lemon balm, are usually harmless for most people. However, it should be duly noted that just because a natural remedy is labeled "natural", it does not equate to being safe. Herbal remedies are not regulated and some contain conventional medicines.

Valerian root, kava kava, chamomile, lemon balm, St. John's wort and passion flower are examples of herbal remedies and have been used as insomnia cures for centuries. It is important to note that the safety and effectiveness of these compounds have not been formally researched. Any studies on herbal remedies are not standardized and therefore difficult to interpret. They are not based on standardized studies like the ones completed for prescription drugs as commissioned by regulatory agencies like the FDA.

Many people suffering from insomnia take melatonin to help them fall asleep. Melatonin is actually a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain and it uses tryptophan, an amino acid, as a building block. Commercially produced melatonin is available in supplement form and it has been used for a variety of medical uses including as an insomnia cure. Of the natural remedies used for insomnia cures, melatonin is the best studied, but it still remains unregulated in the U.S. Studies proving the effectiveness of melatonin as an insomnia cure still remains unclear. Completed studies demonstrate the substance does help people go to sleep faster, however it does not appear to have an effect on total sleep time or daytime fatigue or sleepiness.

It should be emphasized that melatonin is classified as a dietary supplement and not as a drug, so its quality and effectiveness is uncontrolled in the U.S. (The United States is the only developed nation that does not regulate this substance.) Since Melatonin is a powerful hormone, it can produce major side effects, many of which are still unknown, on all parts of the body. The bottom line is that people who take melatonin as an insomnia cure are experimenting on themselves. Keep in mind that natural remedies are not regulated by the FDA and their quality is not controlled. In addition, any substance that can affect the body's chemistry can, like any drug, produce potentially harmful side effects.

Natural remedies are not regulated by the FDA and therefore their quality is not controlled. Additionally, if body chemistry can be altered by a given compound, then the potential for serious side effects is present. Even if studies show natural remedies have a positive effect, it is important to note that the tested substances are not always the same ones available to the public. Also, herbal remedies were sometimes found to contain standard prescription drugs.

Insomnia cures don't always have to involve drugs, natural or chemical. One should note there are natural therapies available that help induce a restful night's sleep without the use of drugs.

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