Lunar! Hey, I understand you have tried Kava, Melatonin and tart cherry juice? You discovered about Glycine? Which is interesting, as I had not heard that this specific proteinogenic amino acid induced sleep? I must research it. In the interim.
I too get euphoria from KAVA. I too have a hard time with it working for me. Sometimes it works like a charm. Like Melatonin and sometimes it does not?? Why!? That stuff is so expensive! Incumbent on how you get it (how it has been extracted) and how "fresh" it is at time of purchase. It can either be degraded too much from time or you get it fresh and much like anything else, it works one night, but the next it does not?!!
What I have found, that by combining a few extracts, tonics and some teas. And changing it up every other night, that I got a good thing going..
I do not know your diet. But I am sure you have heard that diet and the amount of water you consume in a day, believe it or not, has a lot to do with your sleeping patterns. I did not want to hear this crap, when I first discovered that 75% of my problem was diet. The rest was adjusted with supplements and vitamins, essential amino acids and natural herbs and remedies without refined sugars, caffeine, etc..Â
Not stating that you have to stop your normal routine. I am just not aware if you are a soda consumer, a coffee consumer or if you drink just water and frequency and all that? Like how often do you void? These are signs that can help me, help you get that sleep naturally. As an enthusiast for natural and entheogenic remedies and scholarly background with a touch of fine arts in design. I believe I can design something to tailor your needs.Â
I am not aware if you eat sugary foods or not? I am going by your thread subject word NATURAL.Â
And say, that you are conscious person on what goes in your body? Right? You want it Natural.Â
Natural can mean a lot for many, so we are going to take this term and loosely use it for now.Â
Here are some things that I known to work in inducing or aiding in sleep, other than kava, and melatonin.Â
To prepare one for sleep naturally.
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Chamomile - "the renowned medicinal plant" It's protective and calming. It has moisturizing properties, anti-inflammatory properties and it is an over all soother or calmer.
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Hop Cones - contain Volatile oil, Valerianic Esters, Resins, lupline, humulone, mineral substances, tannin, flavonic by-products and estrogen substances. It lowers your blood pressure and has a sedative effect on your CNS. (Central Nervous System) Has anti-spastic qualities, much like a natural muscle relaxer.
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Lemon Balm - Both as an extract or tea. The lemon balm
extract in vitro showed to be a very potent inhibitor of GABA transaminase. Which explains it's anxiolytic and natural calming effects it has in the tea.
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Linden - (
Tilia Cordata) A flower that is so aromatic because it contains farnesol which is found in alcohol. The flowers have a neurosedative and antiseptic action. Mostly found in the Linden Flower Tea. Although traditionally this was primarily used for colds and flu's. This will also have the sedative effects one desires for sleep.
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Passion Flower (the alkaloids of this ornamental flower have low-sedative properties) proven to fight anxiety and depression and has an over all calming effect. It was introduced in the mid 19th century as a medicine in the US.Â
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Raspberry - Specifically the extract. It contains; AHA, vitamin C, flavonoids and tannins. AHA (Alpha Hydroxyl Acids) IT alone helps one prepare for sleep.
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Onion - A different usage. ( A popular belief that garlic wards off vampires, the onion in the raw, cut and placed in a jar and covered with a cheese cloth or coffee filter, can help one prepare for sleep by taking several sniffs of this incredible bulb!) -
also noted in Aromatherapy.Â
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Valerian Root (Nature's Valium) - Takes place of natural remedy for benzodiazepines as the root contains anxiolytic and sedative properties. It has been compared to a natural form of diazepam (valium). For over 1000 years it has been used as a somniferous. It has a calming effect on the CNS and is used against insomnia. I found a combination of Valerian root, lemon balm and passion flower, work wonders in aiding sleep!Â
S
ee Valerian Oil.
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Valerian Oil (
Aromatherapy) Grandote had mentioned aromatherapy. There is essence or volatile oils, just take some
of these and look them up and it will lead you down the rabbit hole.
Aromatherapy & Tonics
- Calamus - Some volatile Oil. (volatile oil is the essence of the plant) The scent of this plant is pleasant. The taste has a somewhat aromatic and bitter taste, reminiscent of many Italian based liquors that are aperitif (aid in opening one's appetite) or digestif's (aiding in digestion of foods). Such as Campari, Aperol and Amaro to name a few..As a tonic it has powerful tranquilizing properties, which can induce a pleasant deep sleep.
- Elecampane - It has been used since Roman times as a medicinal plant and as a condiment. Hence the mention of the liquors. These people know herbs and plants that aid in sleep! Not to mention spirits! Enough on that. The root extract is what you are after. This hard to find extract, can help with so many ailments. From fighting against hair loss to peripheral blood circulation, this plant is not new. It was discovered medically in the early 19th century. Known to calm the irritability state, inducing a tranquil state and finally sleep!!
- Lavender - Everyone knows this flower that grandmas around the globe will tell you to hang in your closet to protect you from
moths invading your closet. It's renowned smell has been borrowed by the perfumery industry for decades. Dried stalks of the flowers that are blue-violet in hue and are used for various instances. The scent aromatic and the taste bitter these fresh flowers will contain (0.5 - 1% Volatile Oil) therefore making it very distinguished from the rest of the "wild flower" kingdom. While the dried ones contain (1 - 3% Volatile Oil) Due to these strong components it aromatizes strongly with a local antiseptic action. The smell of Lavender induces a state of tranquility therefore, making it a good scent to have around before bed time. Not to mention fleas hate it!
So if you have pets, you kill two birds with one wild flower! Amazing..
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Onion - A different usage. ( A popular belief that garlic wards off vampires, the onion in the raw, cut and placed in a jar and covered with a cheese cloth or coffee filter, can help one prepare for sleep by taking several sniffs of this incredible bulb!) Repeat
from above.
- Sage Aromatic perfume or Tea - The flowers are used for gargle or to manufacture sage vinegar. The leaves are collected before the blossoming period. The sage tea fortifies the organism, protects you against seizures and it has favorable effects in paralysis. The sage tea is used in combination with other plants and herbs for insomnia.
- Tutsan - Commonly known as "sweet-amber" Tutsan oil is beneficial for wounds, having a calming, anti-anflimmatory and cicatricizing effect. Tustan tea is used in nervous damage or nervous conditions of any sort, bringing relaxation and installing the
calm necessary for sleep.
I hope this helps! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. If you want to know about supplements that aid in sleep, I have a list. As well as vitamins and minerals that aid in the help of sleep. Some of these can be used together to help you achieve that sleep you yearn for. Thus, maybe try a few of them and see what might work for you.
While, the other aspect is the vitamins and minerals we lack as a Nation. Such as Magnesium. 800, 000 people are deficient of this amazing mineral. You would be surprised what it does when taken regularly with Calcium. There is also vitamin B6 which helps with mood stability as well as some other mental benefits.Â
There are supplements, vitamins, minerals and elements that may aid you in your journey to find that right fit for you. Feel free to ask away. I love NERDing out on this stuff!