Herbal Treatments for Insomnia

Insomnia

Insomnia is a difficulty falling asleep or remaining asleep. It is also
associated with disturbances that results in inadequate and unrefreshing
sleep. There are several different classifications of insomnia. Sleep-onset
insomnia is defined as a difficulty falling asleep. This often occurs in
people that have trouble relaxing their minds and continue to think and
worry about various things as they lay in bed.

Causes of Insomnia

Stress
Emotional problems
Anxiety
Nervousness
Depression
Fear
An irregular sleep-wake schedule (e.g. falling asleep during the day and
then unable to sleep at night)
Physical disorders
Drug use or withdrawal
Drinking alcohol in the evening
Lack of fatigue

Symptoms of Insomnia

Difficulty falling asleep or remaining asleep
Irritability
Fatigue during the day
Problems concentrating
Problems performing under stressful conditions

Herbal Treatments for Insomnia

Valerian (Valeriana officinals L. and other species of
Valeriana)

Scientific Evidence from Clinical Trials

One study found that the use of valerian increases rapid eye movement
(REM) sleep (Herrera-Arellano, et al 2001), which is responsible for
consolidating memories and assisting with learning. Two studies have
shown that valerian increases slow wave sleep (Schultz, et al 1994 and
Donath, et al 2000). Slow wave sleep is also known a deep sleep or stage
three and four of non-rapid eye movement sleep, which is characterized
as the deepest phase of the sleep cycle that is the most difficult to wake
from. Three separate studies showed that the use of this herb decreases
the period of time that one spends in stage one of non-rapid eye
movement sleep (Schultz, et al 1994; Donath, et al 2000; and
Herrera-Arellano, et al 2001), a phase of light sleep where the individual is
easily woken. Phase one is often so light that when people wakeup after
entering it for the first time during a sleep, they often do not believe that
they have slept. It has been shown that valerian increases the density of
K-complexes during phase two on non-rapid eye movement sleep
(Schultz, et al 1994). The main functions of K-complexes are to suppress
wakefulness, alertness, muscle tone, and heart rate in response to stimuli
that the sleeping brain encounters; and to assist in the consolidation of
memories.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 37 insomniacs
that were suffering from withdrawal from benzodiazepine, a drug that is
often prescribed for insomnia, reported that the quality of sleep in the test
group, which was taking an extract of valerian, improved over that of
placebo group after two weeks. It was also noted that the herb decreases
wake time after the onset of sleep (Poyares, et al 2002).

Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the
effects of valerian on children who had problems sleeping. The results
indicated that the test group started falling asleep faster, slept longer, and
experienced improvements in the quality of sleep. The benefits of valerian
were particularity apparent in the children with hyperactivity disorders
(Francis, et al 2002).

A trial demonstrated that an herbal product containing 160 mg of valerian
and 80 mg of lemon balm was equally effective at promoting sleep as
0.125 mg of triazolam, a benzodiazepine derived drug that is used in the
treatment of insomnia. This combination was found not to decrease
concentration or increase daytime sedation (Dressing, et al 1992).

Another herbal product that contains valerian and hops was shown to
decrease the impact of noise on both REM and slow wave sleep patterns
(Muller-Limmroth, et al: 1977). Combinations of valerian and hops have
been found not to increase drowsiness after waking (Gerhard, et al:
1996).

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.)

Scientific Evidence

A sedative and hypnotic action has been attributed the
2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol molecule, which is a constituent of the hops plant
(Harsel, et al 1982 and Wohlfart, et al 1983).

Historical Use

King George III used a pillow of hops to cure his insomnia, and many
others carry on this tradition today. The mostly likely mechanism of action
here is 2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol molecule, which is quite volatile and has
proven sedative properties.

German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.)

Scientific Evidence

It has been reported that pigenin, a constituent in chamomile, reduces
anxiety in mice when administered in low doses and acts as a sedative
when administered in higher doses (Viola, et al 1995).

It has also been reported that a sedative action occurs in humans after
oral administration of chamomile (Berry 1995). This was observed during
cardiac catheterization, a procedure that examines blood flow to the heart,
blood pressure within the heart, and the concentration of oxygen within the
blood.

References

Berry, M., 1995. "The Chamomiles." The Pharmaceutical Journal. 254:
191-93.

Donath, F., S. Quispe, K. Diefenbach, A. Maurer, I. Fietze, I. Roots. 2000.
"Critical evaluation of the effects of valerian extract on sleep structure and
sleep quality." Pharmacopsychiatry. 33(2)47-53.

Dressing, H., D. Riemann, et al. 1992. "Insomnia: Are valerian/balm
combinations or equal value to benzodiazepine?" Therapiewoche.
42:726-36.

Francis, A.J., R.J. Dempster. 2002. "Effects of valerian, Valeriana edulis,
on sleep difficulties in children with intellectual deficits: Randomized trial."
Phytomedicine. 9(4):273-79.

Gerhard, U., N. Linnenbrink, C. Georghaidou, V. Hobi. 1996.
"Vigilance-decreasing effects of 2 plant-derived sedatives."
Schweizerische Rundschau fur Medizin Praxis. 85(15):473-81.

Harsel, R., et al. 1982. "The sedative-hypnotic principle of hops. 3.
Communication: Contents of 2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol in hops and hops
preparations." Planta Medica. 45:224-28.

Herrera-Arellano A, Luna-Villegas G, Cuevas-Uriostegui ML, Alvarez L,
Vargas-Pineda G, Zamilpa-Alvarez L, et al. 2001. "Polysomnographic
evaluation of the hypnotic effect of Valeraina edulis standardized extract in
patients suffering from insomnia." Planta Medica. 67(8):695-99.

Poyares, D., C. Guilleminault, M.M. Ohayon, S. Tufik. 2002. "Can valerian
improve the sleep of insomniacs after benzodiazepine withdrawal?" Prog
Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 26(3):539-45.

Schultz, H., C. Stolz, J. Muller. 1994. "The effects of valerian extract on
sleep polygraphy in poor sleepers: a pilot study." Pharmacopsychiatry.
24(4):147-51.

Viola, H., C. Wasowski, M. LEVI DE Stein, et al. 1995. "Apigenin, a
component of Matricaria recutita flowers, is a central benzodiazepine
receptor-ligand with anxiolyic effects." Planta Medica. 61:213-16.

Wohlfart, R., R. Harsel, H. Schmidt. 1983. "The sedative-hypnotic principle
of hops. 4. Communication: Pharmacology of 2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol."
Planta Medica. 48:120-23.