Dreaming The Night Away 

By: Priscilla C. Bone

Naturally & Drug Free

BEDTIME, the time for winding down after a long day and yet you find yourself tossing and turning or watching the time slowly click by. There is a method to sleeping through the night without having to rely on heavy medication. Natural sleep remedies have been around many generations. They are not miracle cures, some may take several weeks to make a noticeable difference. When deciding to take the herbal path, talk with your physician to make sure that its best for you.

Sleepy Tea Time - (for all ages) An old fashioned remedy for a sound sleep is to drink a cup of Chamomile tea just before bedtime, add a teaspoon of honey to sweeten. Do not take if you suffer from allergies. Valerian tea: pour boiling water over 2 teaspoons of valerian root, infuse for 15 minutes, drink before bedtime. Not the best tasting tea but is highly recommended for calming the nerves and promoting sleep. Hops tea: 1 oz hops to 1 pint boiling water drink 3 times a day. Catnip tea: a common garden plant with a mint taste can be used to have a sound and restful sleep. add 1 teaspoon of dried catnip in 1 cup boiling water, infuse, strain and drink before bedtime.

What you eat or drink can have an impact on your sleep pattern.

• One old time cure for insomnia is milk. Drink a warm glass of milk.
• Eat light at night.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and tobacco before sleep.

Another effective cure for insomnia is to take some Siberian Ginseng daily (can be easily found at any health food store or drug store), take 1 capsule up to 3 times a day.

"SET THE MOOD" for a good nights sleep

Your bedroom should be made as comfortable as possible. After all this is where you rejuvenate your entire being. Some suggestions to ensure the Sandman will be visiting you tonight....

Invest in good pillows, sheets and a firm, comfortable mattress.

Make bedtime as routine as possible. Do not oversleep in the morning.

Make sure your room is quiet, dark and has a comfortable temperature neither too hot nor too cold.

Listen to poetry or soft music (Why not throw on some Mozart, and enhance your intelligence while you sleep. Did you know that Albert Einstein listened to Mozart...Its no coincidence that he was a genius!...more)

Your bedroom should only be used for sleep and sex. Don't watch t.v, work, read or talk on the phone.

Bathe Your Insomnia Away

Take an aromatherapy bath before retiring and literally send all your tension and worries down the drain.

Make sure the bathroom door is closed to keep the room warm and the scents in. Fill the tub with warm water, enough to completely cover your body. Once the tub is filled, add the essential oil drop by drop into the water. Do not stir. Emerge yourself into the water and soak for 20 minutes. This bedtime therapy is enhanced with soft music and a few candles glistening nearby.

Try massaging your neck and shoulders with any one of these calming, soothing essential oils....

• 5 drops Chamomile
• 5 drops Lavender
• 5 drops Neroli
• 3 drops Sandalwood
• 5 drops Rose
• 5 drops Ylang-Ylang

More Cozy Twilight Traditions

Using a plain massage oil or even vegetable oil, gently rub your neck and shoulders in small circular motions using your fingertips, if possible have someone to do it for you.

Take an evening walk. Fresh air helps you feel refreshed and calm. The quiet may also give you time to sort through your days events.

Sew easy to sleep the night away! Make a dream pillow using dried hops flowers (a natural sedative, its odor is strong and fragrant) as the filler, place in a muslin bag. See directions for making a dream pillow.

Lastly, Sleep On It!

The number one cause for not getting enough sleep is *stress and worrying. Leave your work at work and sleep on your problems. When your mind and body is well rested it is easier to deal with things. And when you completely release all of the days tensions it allows your mind to seek solutions effortlessly throughout the night. The old adage "Things always look better in the morning" becomes true after some much needed Zzzzzz's.

Sweet Dreams!