Getting a good night's sleep is a physiological need that must be met regardless of age, sex, or state of health. With the never-ending demands at home and in the office, getting enough sleep every day is absolutely required to give both body and mind the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate. However, with all the stress and troubles of life, it is no wonder that many people find it hard to sleep. Those with severe insomnia often find themselves unable to work or play due to fatigue.



Two factors affect the ability of the brain and body to reach a deep, relaxing state: stress and anxiety. More often than not, worries regarding work, family, and finances leave us tossing and turning throughout the night. To solve the problem of sleeplessness, many people turn to sleeping aids.

Both prescription and non-prescription sleeping aids that are taken to treat insomnia often come with unwanted side effects such as daytime drowsiness and possible addiction. In extreme cases, people have died to overdose.

Taking an herbal sleep aid can greatly improve the person's quality of sleep, usually without harmful or uncomfortable side effects present in typical chemical-laden sleeping pills. An herbal sleep aid is formulated to lessen or eliminate the chances for addiction. These all-natural products also do not cause daytime drowsiness and fatigue.

One of the most popular sedatives and herbal sleep aids sold in health shops is called the Valerian Root. It has been used as a medicinal herb for hundreds of years. It is known to help treat restlessness, sleeping disorders, insomnia, and anxiety. Today, Valerian Root is often taken in capsule form. The capsules contain oils that have been prepared from the roots of a flowering plant called Valerian. Studies have shown that Valerian Root seems to be much more effective when taken over a period of several weeks. Valerian Root is a muscle relaxant herb that helps relieve tension and promote deep and restful sleep.

Kava Root is another herb that provides deep relaxation for the muscles, followed by sleepiness and a dreamless state that does not result in next-day drowsiness. In fact, the day that follows is often enhanced with increased focus and decreased anxiety. For thousands of years, this root has been used by many cultures around the world for medicinal, social, and religious reasons. Recent studies, however, indicate that, in some cases, the said root may cause liver toxicity. This anomaly is attributed to the use of the wrong parts of the Kava plant in the preparation of the medicine.

Whether one chooses the commercially prepared sleep aids or the all-natural concoctions, it is clear that no human being can go on so long without sleep. Sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity, heart disease, and other ailments. The human body simply cannot continue to function for long periods of time without sleep. By using an herbal sleep aid, people suffering from sleeplessness may regain the opportunity and blessing of a full night's rest.