Sleepless.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
From: deanm.mcs.com (Dean)
Date: 02 Dec 1995 23:42:41 GMT
Subject: Re: Herbs for natural sleep

>I would like several choices for herbs that help you sleep. If this is possible. As well as how well each works and how to use it.

I have been successful with these combinations...

1) Strong

4 to 6 prts German Chamomile
4 prts Valerian, fragrant
2 prt Catnip
2 prt Lemon Balm

Mix according to porportions, use two teaspoons per 16 oz of water. Boil water for three minutes to remove chlorine and other buffers or use clean water such as distilled or evian-esque water, steep mixture for five minutes. Sweeten as needed...

2) Mild and for nervous sleeplessness

2 prt St. Johnswort
2 prt peppermint
1 prt valerian, fragrant
6 prt German chamomile
4 prt catnip

same as above.

Good luck , and let me know how well these works

From: mia67.nando.net

>I would like several choices for herbs that help you sleep.

I use a tablet called Calmtab which mixes 1 grain of each of the following: valerian, passiflora, celery seed and catnip; and ½ grain of hops and dried orange peel. It works wonderfully when I'm too restless to get to sleep. Or try valerian alone. Your head won't feel numb in the morning like with those terrible over-the-counter sleeping pills.

From: dstearns.ellis.uchicago.edu (Deborah Stearns)
Subject: Re: Sleep and vivid dreaming herbs

>Hello, I am new to this group. I have read the FAQ and I was looking at the herbs for vivid dreams and herbs for falling asleep. I was wondering how much of each herb you are supposed to take. Also, does anyone else have a simple herbs recipie for falling asleep fast or vivid dreaming?

I am familiar with the herb-lore about what scents are believed to induce sleep and vivid dreams (that is, the following herbs are smelled, not ingested--generally a pillow is made and stuffed with the herbs). Mugwort is believed to induce vivid, prophetic dreams, as is Calendula (marigolds). To get to sleep, the scents of rose, mint, and cloves, as well hops; also the essential oils of neroli, bergamot, and rose geranium (use in small quantities!!). Rosemary was believed to be a specific against nightmares, and so was often included in the pillows.

From: greeff.alf.zfn.uni-bremen.de (Oliver Greeff)

> Also, does anyone else have a simple herbs recipie for falling asleep fast or vivid dreaming?

you might want to try valerian tincture (amount needed depends strongly on individuality) to enhance your sleep, but be aware that valerian also has an effect on your mind, in terms of making it more active. So, if you have problems you tend to deal with all the time, it is quite likely that your sleep won't be deep, but you'll rather dream about your problems. Otherwise it works well. Try different amounts one hour before you go to sleep (eg, 60 or 30 drops). If you want a more refresahing kind of sleep, mix some hops tincture with the valerian (4val and 1 hops).

To enhance the *quality* of your dreams you can try a tea of Kava kava (Piper methysticum), which is said to make dreams lucid. Add some oil to the tea as the wanted components are soluble in fat. It numbs your mouth and tongue, don't worry about that.

Another thing that helps me perfectly is a homoeopathic dilution of a herb called Equisetum arvense (don't know the english name, sorry), which, taken before sleep, makes you tired (interestingly, women stronger than men) and helps to make your sleep deeper. Usually your dreams get more vivid and clearer then. Which, of course, doesn't mean you can remember them better in the morning; you are sort of more aware of yourself while dreaming. The stuff is called Cinis Equiseti arvensis D4 and shouldn't be more than about 10$, if available at all in the states. BTW, it is easy to get up in the morning, no matter how long or short your sleep was. Nice side-effect. Hope this helps a bit.

Oliver Greeff

From: woninnamil.aol.com (WonInnaMil)

>Another thing that helps me perfectly is a homoeopathic dilution of a herb called Equisetum arvense (don't know the english name, sorry),

Horsetail or Shave grass