Simple solutions for a good night’s sleep:
Homeopathy offers some excellent remedies for insomnia with the added benefits of being non toxic and without sleepy side effects that herbs and medication sometimes cause. There are basically two different kinds of remedies: the kind for the occasional sleep problem, likely due to a temporary situation, and the kind that is longer lasting and requires a constitutional remedy customized towards the unique and specific needs a person experiences. The constitutional remedy requires a consultation with a homeopath, but for short term relief, there are some excellent home remedies to try.
Here are my favourite home remedies for insomnia:
Coffea 30c is the classic sleep remedy in homeopathy, but it really only works when insomnia is a result of excitement and wakefulness, the kind you might feel if you had too much coffee (awake, full of ideas and maybe even a bit jittery).
Nux vomica 30c is a better choice if the insomnia is from overwork, lack of sleep or changes in regular sleep schedules. I use this remedy a lot because it’s seems to be a good remedy for our time: we tend to work too hard, for too many hours and the nervous system gets on edge and we can’t get to sleep despite being overtired!
Gelsemium 30c is an excellent remedy if you’re feeling anxious about an upcoming event and experiencing a type of stage fright causing insomnia. This remedy always helps me if I’m too excited about an upcoming trip or event and can’t sleep. Although the feeling is one of excitement, because the event is upcoming, I typically think of it as a type of anxiety.
Ignatia 30c Choose Ignatia for that emotional upset after a break-up or upsetting news, if this is the source of the insomnia. For instance, Ignatia is often helpful when we know we’re over-reacting emotionally, but we just can’t help it. Maybe you’re upset and you can’t stop crying—or the opposite happens, it all gets stuck inside and you can’t let it out—and you can’t sleep! This is the case when Ignatia can help create some balance and allow you to get to sleep.
How to take homeopathic remedies for home use:
Dosage: In my experience, homeopathic remedies work quickly to help you relax and sleep, but use these home remedies wisely—they are recommended to help get the body back on track for occasional use, not for daily use. The 30c potency is widely available and the recommended dose for the average person is: 3-5 pills on the tongue (allow to dissolve) once or twice nightly as needed for a few nights. Stop as soon as you feel improvement or after three days. Three days should be more than enough to get your body’s sleep schedule back on track. If there’s no change, you need to choose the next possible remedy or seek advice. If on the other hand, the remedy seems to be helping but you need to keep taking it, consultation with a homeopath for a constitutional remedy is highly recommended.
If the stress continues…
Another great option when the period of stress continues is the Schuessler cell salt (also known as tissue salt) Kali phos 6x. Kali phos 6x is a low potency homeopathic remedy which works much like a nerve tonic and needs to be taken over at least a few days for maximum effect. The dosage is three pills three times daily for the first few days, and then as the symptoms of stress improve, it can be tapered to twice and once a daily for three weeks or so. Like all homeopathic remedies, when symptoms improve, allow the body to recover fully and stop the remedies.
A note about combination remedies:
Some people also like the homeopathic combination remedies that contain the most common remedies for insomnia, such as Calms Forte. Because the potency is low, this can be taken for a longer period than the 30c potency.
If one of the 30c potency remedies suit your situation, they tend to work the most quickly to resolve problems, otherwise it may be best to go with a Schuessler tissue salt or combination homeopathic remedy. No matter what the choice, do take the time to add a few healthy sleep habits to your bed time routine (see previous sleep blog). Insomnia is typically a sign that something is amiss—and it’s a good idea to check in with your body and re-evaluate what your personal needs are.
Happy sleeping!