10 Most Effective Cures for Insomnia | Remedies & Treatments

Insomnia is the inability caused generally by psychiatric or medical conditions to fall asleep or stay asleep for a long period of time.

People suffering from such difficulties at night go through major frustration and discomfort which ultimately culminate into something unhealthy for their body system.

Also Read: “How to Get Rid of Dark Circles under Eyes“

Insomnia can undoubtedly have a deep impact on all aspects of your health, starting from

• Makes You feel dizzy and exhausted
• Having a low quality of brain functions and mood swings
• Showing acute fatigues to resulting in poor performances at work or school/college

Insomnia can be basically of two types:

• Acute Insomnia – This may last for a few days or weeks altering your body functions for the time being.
• Chronic Insomnia – This is the worse condition in which the person can suffer from sleeplessness for months and even more.

Best Ways to Cure Insomnia and Relieve Anxiety

Some people start popping pills to get rid of such issues but little do they know about the long-term effects which are awaiting them.

Nowadays treatment of Insomnia can be done in various ways viz., using different therapies, practicing yoga, utilizing Ayurveda, home remedies, etc.

Following is the list of cures for Insomnia using various methods.

• Natural Cures For Insomnia

1. Consumption Of Melatonin

This chemical is a vital component that induces your sleep and helps you get rid of Insomnia with time if consumed properly.

Our body needs additional sources to get this chemical in a high percentage, hence it can be taken in the form of pills as a supplement (natural) or consumption of fruits like cherries and bananas can boost the production of melatonin and help you sleep better.

Besides, bananas contain muscles relaxants which will ease your body stresses down and induce sleep.

2. Chamomile 

It is globally regarded as a potentially important sleeping aid for people suffering from acute as well as chronic Insomnia.

Having a cup of chamomile tea will definitely push you for going to the bed and unwinding yourself, especially if consumed half an hour before bedtime.

Molecular studies have shown that a substance called apigenin binds to benzodiazepine receptors present in the brain to induce sleep.

Home Remedies For Insomnia

1. Try Out A Glass Of Warm Milk 

Sipping a glass of warm milk approximately one hour before going to bed is widely famous as a home cure for Insomnia.

Milk has a high level of Tryptophan, a sleep-inducing amino acid which produces Serotonin when released into the brain.

Serotonin is known as a tranquillity boosting neurotransmitter which surely aids you to fall asleep.

If not scientifically proven properly, warm milk has been psychologically proven to be highly helpful in this matter.

You can mix honey or a pinch of turmeric to make the warm milk more effective and sleep-inducing.

2. Make Your Bedroom Suitable 

Most of the times, people suffer from sleeplessness due to an ambience of room not fitting enough for the sleep to commence.

In order to rule out such possibilities, you can make some modifications in your bedroom which would favor your sleep.

For example, put some soft music in low volume till you feel drowsy enough, replace your mattress and pillow with new comfortable ones or diffuse a good fragrance to send off your stresses and fall asleep.

• Herbal Remedies For Insomnia

  1. Valerian

  Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is found to be useful in several ways for its high calming activity.

It is basically a herb or flowering part whose roots are used for sedative effects.

Adding it to your cup of tea thrice a day can yield good results with time. If you find the odor to be very strong, you can add flavors like honey or milk which will give you a better infusion.

2. Lavender 

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) is one potent sleeping aid as studies suggest.

Lavender Essential Oil can be used in many ways to get a positive result in this respect.

It can be massaged on the body as done in aromatherapy using a few drops or dropped in a bathtub while showering before bedtime to give you a relaxing moment.

This relaxation causes your nervous system to calm down which in turn makes you fall asleep.

Spiritual Ways to Cure Insomnia

1. Spiritual Healing Of Mind

The sole reason for you not to get sleep is the restlessness of your mind.

Whenever you go out of balance with the negativeness inside your mind, depression sets in and that is how sleeplessness comes into the picture.

Based on spiritual practice and observations, you can gradually learn how to achieve the peace inside you.

You can begin with the power of prayer and then slowly slip into the meditation on a regular basis for betterment in your results.

2. Acupuncture

It is important to channelize your inner energy in a right way and to balance the energy or life force.

In this process, insertion of thin needles takes place at certain specific points of your body which upon insertion activate certain blocked channels known as meridians.

These channels help your brain to process faster when you need sleep and hence it acts accordingly.

Cures For Insomnia In Ayurveda

1. Ayurvedic Herbs For Insomnia

Ashwagandha  (Withiana somnifera) is good for insomnia as it refreshes our nerves and relaxes them.

Tagar (Tabernaemontana spp.) is a powerful herb which is used for rejuvenation. The herb is used to clear out toxins from blood and blood vessels.

Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) or muskroot is a sedative herb helping in relaxation of the nervous system. It’s very effective in the case of neurosis, neurotransmission.

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) & Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina) are also helpful in this case. Brahmi tonic rejuvenates brain cells and cures mental fatigue whereas Sarpagandha is a herb which acts a good tranquilizer.

• Home Remedies In Ayurveda

  Have 1 teaspoon of licorice root powder with a glass of milk on an empty stomach in the morning. (OR) Add ½ tsp of cinnamon powder & 1 tsp of honey with 1 cup of warm milk before going to bed at night. (OR) Sprinkle 1 tsp of cumin on a sliced banana and have it before going to bed.

• Yoga Cures For Insomnia

  1. Yoga Poses (Asana) Effective In Curing Insomnia

  Yoga helps to get rid of the sleeplessness by maintaining the normal blood flow through the body and restoring mental peace by reducing mental fatigue.

Uttanasana, Marjariasana, Baddha Konasana, Viparita Karani, Balasana, Shavasana are the yoga poses which are most effective in curing Insomnia.

YouTube Video Tutorial ~ Yoga Asanas Remedies to Cure Insomnia

2. Practicing Pranayama To Cure Insomnia

Practising Pranayama stimulates the nervous system. It releases the anxiety and stress and improves the blood circulation, therefore, calms the mind.

Research has proven that practising Anulom Vilom Pranayama regularly gives better results in treating insomnia.

Practising all the seven pranayamas are very important for keeping the body healthy and the mental peace intact.

YouTube Video Tutorial ~ Prevent Insomnia with Pranayama

• Medical Cures For Insomnia

  1. Usage Of Prescription Drugs To Treat Insomnia

  There are 4 main drugs which are used to treat insomnia i.e. Eszopiclone (Lunesta), Ramelteon (Rozerem), Zaleplon (Sonata and generic) and Zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Zolpimist, and generic). These are highly effective.

  2. Usage Of Nonprescription Drugs To Treat Insomnia

  Drugs containing antihistamine e.g. Diphenhydramine sold under the brand names Nytol and Sominex or Doxylamine and other older prescription sedatives like Benzodiazepines, Flurazepam and Temazepam might work just like the newer sleeping pills.

But all these medicines should be used judiciously as they all have side effects and dependency, can even worsen the sleeping problem when misused or taken too often.

Note:**So taking opinions from the physician is a must before using any of them.

• Holistic Tips to Cure Insomnia

Stay Hydrated And Avoid Caffeine, Sugar, Alcohol, and Tobacco

Prime thing is to drink plenty of water to keep the body functions smooth. Next is avoiding coffee, cola, sugary beverages, alcohol and tobacco as they act as depressants or stimulants preventing the natural sleep.

Proper Diet And Eating “Sleep Foods”

Overloading your body with chemicals and synthetic foods will eventually affect the regime or body functions causing malnutrition and several other disease symptoms.

A healthy eating habit is a prime need to keep the body functions running properly and reducing mental stress.

The intake of “sleep foods” is also a good holistic remedy. Foods like bananas, grapefruit, dates, figs, almonds, raw honey, yogurt, oatmeal, etc