Difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep is a very common problem. People of all ages can suffer from periods of insomnia in their lives, from a wide range of causes. Long term insomnia can have a significant impact on mental and physical health and vitality.
Homeopathy can be an effective natural solution for insomnia. Long term sleeplessness will need professional care, and seeing a homeopath will involve looking at the history of your insomnia in the context of your overall health history and personal circumstances. Acute or recent onset insomnia with a clearly identifiable cause can often be helped with homeopathic self treatment. I have included below a brief picture of twelve of the most commonly indicated remedies for acute insomnia. Successful treatment rests on matching the symptoms you are experiencing to the symptom pattern of a specific homeopathic medicine. I have included a combination remedy which can be used in cases where the symptom picture is unclear, or where other remedies have not helped.
Remember to consider practical measures first, to ensure you have a healthy sleep routine, and to set the stage for a good night’s sleep. These include the following:
- Keep your bedroom dark and cool to encourage the production of melatonin, and reflect the body’s lower internal temperature during sleep.
- Avoid sleeping in the same room as electrical devices or Wifi routers.
- Keep your mobile phone away from your bed and switched off or on airplane mode.
- Take some evening exercise, especially if you are sedentary during the day.
- Take time to wind down: turn off the computer, take a warm bath, listen to music, read a book.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks in the afternoon and evening.
- Try writing down important thoughts that won’t go away – getting them off your mind and down on paper can really help.
The remedies:
Kali phos
This is a great remedy for insomnia from nervous exhaustion or fatigue. This might be, for example, following a period of intense mental or physical work or strain (eg studying for exams, or after giving birth), where the person feels completely worn out, but cannot sleep. It is also indicated in sleeplessness from worry or stress.
Coffea
This remedy is helpful in acute insomnia brought on by excitement or an overactive mind. The person finds themselves in a wide awake state, following mental overstimulation or excitement. Any situation of sleeplessness brought on by overexcitement may be helped by Coffea, including before or after social events, taking care of the sick, or after childbirth, where the picture matches. Coffea will also help in insomnia brought on by too much coffee (or other form of caffeine stimulation).
Nux vomica
This is a useful remedy for acute insomnia brought on by excessive mental work or study, or by overuse of stimulants or alcohol. Those who would benefit from this remedy will often wake around 3 to 4am, and feel irritable on rising in the morning.
Aconite
Aconite can be helpful when acute sleeplessness is brought on by fear, fright or anxiety. The person is constantly agitated, with tossing and turning. Sleep is light, with anxious dreams.
Chamomilla
Chamomilla is the main remedy for sleeplessness from pain. This may include toothache (or teething in children), period pain, earache or colic. Those who might benefit from Chamomilla experience the pain as distressing and intolerable. Sleep is fitful and restless, and they may cry and moan during sleep.
Sticta
This remedy has a specific use in sleeplessness after surgery, injuries or accidents.
Arnica
Arnica is the first remedy to think of for jet lag, resulting in a state of exhaustion with the inability to sleep. They are sleepless even though overtired. There may be a feeling of bruised soreness in the body, and the bed feels too hard.
Ignatia
This remedy is indicated and will often be helpful in insomnia from grief or sadness. When sleep comes it tends to be light, with starting on falling asleep.
Cocculus
Cocculus is a remedy often helpful in sleeplessness from exhaustion. It is typically brought on by caring for the sick, or for young children. Symptoms are often accompanied by weakness and vertigo.
Avena sativa
Avena is indicated in sleeplessness from nervous exhaustion, and is also used in professional care for insomnia caused by excessive use of alcohol or narcotics.
Passiflora
Passiflora is a useful remedy to help calm the nervous system and restore a more normal sleep pattern, especially in those who are restless and wakeful from overwork or worries.
Helios Sleep
This is a combination remedy supplied by Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy, which can be taken for acute insomnia where a single remedy cannot be identified. It is intended to help with the symptomatic relief of temporary sleep disturbances, and contains Avena sativa, Passiflora, Coffea and Valerian.
Homeopathic treatment can help with chronic insomnia, and in this case it is advisable to work with a homeopath so that remedies can be chosen that fit your particular history and circumstances. Chronic insomnia may date back to a stressful or traumatic event or period of time, it may be associated with chronic anxiety or depression, or may be related to hormonal changes including menopause, among other causative factors.
Comments