To avoid the need for treatment of insomnia with folk remedies, you should learn how to fall asleep properly. Under no circumstances should you go to bed thinking about your problems, making plans for tomorrow, or having imaginary conversations with your boss, colleagues, partners, etc. This prevents the nervous system from relaxing.
It’s best to try to push away all thoughts, but if they persist, think about something pleasant. Moderate positive emotions can have a calming effect.
A good way to normalize sleep is by taking a walk before bedtime. If someone suffers from insomnia, they should avoid napping during the day. Additionally, it is recommended for someone with insomnia to wake up earlier in the morning; if they sleep until noon, it should be no surprise they have trouble sleeping at night. Normalizing sleep can be aided by treating insomnia with folk remedies.
Methods of Treating Insomnia with Folk Remedies:
- Infusion of Five-Lobed Motherwort: Take 1 teaspoon of dried, crushed herbs and pour a glass of cold water over it. Let it steep for 6-8 hours, strain, and drink it warm during a bathing procedure in two doses.
- Decoction of Hawthorn Berries: Take 50g of dried, crushed berries, pour a glass of water over them, and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Cool, strain, and drink during a bathing procedure in two doses.
- Infusion of Hawthorn Flowers: Take 2 tablespoons of dried flowers, pour a glass of boiling water over them, cover and let steep for 15-20 minutes, then strain. Take 3 tablespoons of this infusion 3 times during a bathing procedure.
- Decoction of Sage Root: Take 1 tablespoon of dried, crushed sage root, pour a glass of milk over it, simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, cool, strain, and optionally add 1 tablespoon of honey. Drink during a bathing procedure in two doses.
- Decoction of Elderberry Root: Take 1 tablespoon of dried, crushed elderberry root, pour a glass of water over it, simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, let it steep for 30-40 minutes, strain. Take in two doses during a bathing procedure.
- Infusion of Narrow-Leaved Fireweed: Take 1 tablespoon of dried fireweed, place it in a thermos, pour a glass of boiling water over it, and let steep for about 6 hours, then strain. Take during a bathing procedure in three doses.
- Infusion of Blue Scabious: Take 1 tablespoon of raw scabious, pour a glass of boiling water over it, let it steep for up to 30 minutes, then strain. Drink in three doses during a bathing procedure.
Experts in treating insomnia with folk remedies recommend applying a cool compress of clay mixed with sour milk to the forehead (mixed in equal parts) for up to 30 minutes. Among other effective methods for treating insomnia with folk remedies are bathing procedures such as steam baths, massages, etc. Taking a warm bath every evening helps normalize sleep. You can add a decoction of conifer needles (fir, cedar, pine) or a conifer extract to the water, as well as a few drops of essential oils of cedar, fir, or lavender. A warm shower is also beneficial; the water stream should primarily warm the spine from the nape to the sacrum, as warmth has a calming effect.
Under no circumstances should you drink strong coffee or tea before bedtime. Caffeine and tannin in these drinks have a stimulating effect on the nervous system. Avoid eating “heavy” foods (meat dishes) before bedtime, as they require intense digestive activity. A working digestive system prevents the body from relaxing, and if sleep comes, it will be shallow and possibly filled with nightmares. Spicy food also has a stimulating effect. It’s better to avoid eating before bedtime altogether (dinner should be 4-5 hours before going to sleep).
Nicotine also prevents the body from relaxing, so smoking a cigarette right before bed can lead to insomnia. It’s not recommended to cover yourself too warmly at night. People who use two thick blankets are more likely to suffer from insomnia than those who sleep in cooler conditions. It is also important to ventilate the bedroom well before sleeping.
Alcoholic beverages should not be used as sleeping aids.
