Insomnia - Its Causes & Herbal Cure

A study shows that being alone with your thoughts can be anything but relaxing. In fact, it can be downright anxiety-producing 1

Stress can result in various symptoms; insomnia is one of those various symptoms. In simple words, stress can keep us up all night which later results in a lack of sleep.

The network known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis³ regulates your body’s hormonal response to stressful situations. The hypothalamus – a cluster of nuclei located in the brain – will instruct the pituitary gland to release a hormone, and then the pituitary gland will signal the adrenal glands to produce steroid hormones called glucocorticoids. Two of these glucocorticoids are cortisol and adrenaline, which are also known as stress hormones.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, insomnia is defined as difficulty either falling or staying asleep that is accompanied by daytime impairments related to those sleep troubles. Insomnia has 2 types; primary and secondary. Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which you have trouble falling and/or staying asleep. 2

The condition can be short-term (acute) or can last a long time (chronic). It may also come and go.

Acute insomnia lasts from 1 night to a few weeks. Insomnia is chronic when it happens at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more. 

Primary causes of insomnia include:

• Stress related to big life events, like a job loss or change, the death of a loved one, divorce, or moving
• Things around you like noise, light, or temperature
• Changes to your sleep schedule like jet lag, a new shift at work, or bad habits you picked up when you had other sleep problems
• Your genes. Research has found that a tendency for insomnia may run in families.

Secondary causes of insomnia include 3

• Mental health issues like depression and anxiety
• Medications for colds, allergies, depression, high blood pressure, and asthma.
• Pain or discomfort at night
• Caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol use, as well as the use of illicit drugs.
• Hyperthyroidism and other endocrine problems
• Other sleep disorders, like sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome
• Pregnancy
• Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia
• ADHD
• PMS and menopause

Once chronic insomnia takes hold, people often feel anxious about sleeping and other aspects of their lives. This increases day-to-day stress, which in turn exacerbates insomnia symptoms. 4

Insomnia can be cured in various ways too, but the first step should be calming down the stress. Research says that lavender in different forms reduces stress. According to the study results, it can be concluded that the lavender fragrance had a beneficial effect on insomnia and depression in women college students. Repeated studies are needed to confirm effective proportions of lavender oil and carrier oil for insomnia and depression. 5

The most recommended cure for insomnia are sleeping pills often prescribed by doctors and they usually work but they result in various side effects as well. Most sleeping pills are classified as "sedative hypnotics." That's a specific class of drugs used to go to sleep or stay asleep. Sedative hypnotics include benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and various hypnotics.

Common side effects of prescription sleeping pills such as Ambien, Halcion, Lunesta, Rozerem, and Sonata include: 6

• Burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
• Changes in appetite
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Balance problems
• Dizziness
• Daytime drowsiness
• Dry mouth or throat
• Gas
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Impairment the next day
• Mental slowing or problems with attention or memory
• Stomach pain or tenderness
• Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• Unusual dreams
• Weakness

A number of studies have reported that lavender essential oil may be beneficial in variety of conditions, including insomnia, alopecia (hair loss), anxiety, stress, and postoperative pain. However, most of these studies have been small. Lavender is also being studied for antibacterial and antiviral properties. Lavender oil is often used in other forms of integrative medicine, such as massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulation.

Anxiety Soother™: Original Lavender features Kava prepared from the rhizome and root of noble varieties of Piper methysticum plants grown and harvested in the islands of the South Pacific. It also features Passionflower prepared from the flowering aerial parts (leaf, flower and stem) of Certified Organic Passiflora incarnata vines. 

It features the distinct yet subtle flavor of Lavender essential oil (Lavandula sp.), which is intensely floral, aromatic and moderately bitter. 

The herbs in this formula are individually extracted to provide a broad-spectrum of plant compounds. We assure herb identity via macroscopic and organoleptic analysis, then confirm it through methods such as HPTLC fingerprinting specific to each herb. Our liquid extracts are easily dispensed, taken in liquid form and added to water or other liquid. 7

Lavender extract is a potent herbal formula that captures the medicinal properties and scent of lavender in one small bottle. It makes an excellent addition to sweet or savory dishes, may also be used to enhance your skin or for its relaxing and calming properties.

Lavender is a herb that easily catches one's attention. Its stunning look and striking color make lavender a popular addition to gardens. And then it's their scent that makes people calm and relaxes and that attracts honeybees. If you want to use lavender topically and enjoy its medicinal benefits on the skin, you want to make lavender oil. If you plan to use it internally you want to make the lavender extract. 

There are other benefits that herbal extracts have to offer;

• They allow for optimal absorption
• They bring about changes in the body much quicker than other methods of taking herbs
• They have a long-shelf life
• They allow you to get to know the taste of the plants
• They are more concentrated
• Many different herbs can be combined to make a customized formula
• They can easily be taken in water, juice, or tea
• They are convenient and easy to take