I have dealt with insomnia before and I know how difficult it can be. I recently put together my recommendations for a client looking for natural treatments for insomnia and low libido  and thought I would share it with you all as well! Let me know if you have any questions! Our conversation follows below:

“Thanks so much for getting in touch and sharing your story. Below are my recommendations for herbs and other natural treatments for insomnia.

~The Dream Blend (with Damiana, Passionflower, Lavender and Lotus) has been really helpful for people in terms of relaxation and sleep. You can use it in any vaporizer, there are lots of options but two of the more popular ones are the vapor genie and the magic flight box. You can also of course use it in regular rolling papers or a pipe.

~I would also suggest a combination of Passionflower and Kava Kava to take every night. Passionflower balances and regulates the sleep cycle as well as promoting anxiety relief and relaxation. Kava is an amazing relaxant and anxiety reliever is well and is good before bed for sleep.

~My Peace Tea has Lemonbalm, Passionflower and Lavender and is another great before bed tea.

~I would also REALLY recommend acupuncture, and taking 5HTP and Calcium Magnesium before bed.

~ Make sure your bedroom is dark, uncluttered and is conducive to sleep. Use the bedroom ONLY for sleep and sex, making sure to not work on the computer in the bedroom and esp not 2 hours before bed.

~ Always go to bed at the same time (set an alarm to start getting ready for bed) and have a bedtime routine that you stick to. ~Yoga nidra and meditation before bedtime help very, very much.

~Wake up at the same time every morning, EVEN IF YOU HAD TROUBLE SLEEPING AND FEEL TIRED. This is very important. You are retraining your body and your circadian rhythms.

~ If you can’t get to sleep or are awake at night for more than 1/2 an hour, get out of bed and do some gentle activity like reading, meditation/deep breathing, stretching, listening to music, or yoga nidra until you feel sleepy, then try again. If you stay in bed and toss and turn in frustration you are training your brain to associate your bed with stress and wakefulness. So get out of bed, try and practice acceptance, and then try again when you are sleepy. Do not TRY to sleep! Begin to find the inner attitude of “Whether I sleep or not, I will be ok. If sleep comes, let it come. If not, I am ok too.”

~Bust your negative thoughts about insomnia. We actually need less sleep than we are taught to think we need (8 hours is a myth) and it is mostly the stress from negative thoughts about sleep and how insomnia will affect us that perpetuates the cycle and makes us feel so terrible the next day. Cognitive behavior therapy is very effective for this if you can find a therapist, or you can check out the books listed below.

“No more sleepless nights” by Peter Hauri.
( http://www.amazon.com/More-Sleepless-Nights-Peter-Hauri/dp/0471149047/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399230310&sr=8-1&keywords=no+more+sleepless+nights )

Another good one is “Say Goodnight to Insomnia” by Gregg Jacobs.
http://www.amazon.com/Say-Good-Night-Insomnia-Drug-Free/dp/0805089586/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399230375&sr=1-1&keywords=say+goodnight+to+insomnia

I hope this helps! For a libido boost I would recommend Damiana, which is also an anxiety reliever and mood booster, and it won’t over stimulate the nervous system. Another good option for you would be Maca, but make sure to only take it in the morning as it is energizing and watch out for overstimulation. Maca can help rebalance the hormonal system (which effects sleep) and it is used for libido and depression and anxiety as well.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!”

Nikki
Harmony Herbals

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