What's the most effective natural sedative: Melatonin, Kava Kava or Valerian Root?

Question

And why?

Answer 1

For me, Kava Kava, seems to be the most effective

Answer 2

Valerian root and Melatonin. But melatonin only for short periods, so your body doesn't stop producing your natural one.

Answer 3

Melatonin is pretty effective, I havn't tried the others though.  You might want to buy a natural remedy book and do some research on it

Answer 4

Sleep medications have severe and long-term side effects.

If I would be you, I would actually consult a Ayurvedic Practitioner or a naturalist and try our Meditation/Yoga as well.

You can look at www.holisticreal.com at the practitioner tab for qualified professionals.

Good luck and don't let the bed bugs bite!

Answer 5

Valerian Root is the safest and most effective. Also try other alternatives like tea. I find this very effective and i have insomnia well...had insomnia. You may also try meditation, and reading. lay in bed read with your eyes angled down, this naturally causes drowsiness, in no time you will start to yaun and drift away. You may also think about dreaming. When you lay in bed start dreaming and you will fall asleep and continue your dream... it may sound funny but it works.

Answer 6

Marijuana

Answer 7

I haven't personally tried Kava, but I have used both melatonin and valerian root for my chronic insomnia.  I have avoided Kava because it is supposed to be a bit like valium and is considered an intoxicant in some states.

Valerian smells bad--really, really bad--and doesn't taste that great, but it does help you relax a bit so you can fall asleep.  It's great for times when stress is what is keeping you awake.  It's not addictive and doesn't make  you sleepy the next day.

Melatonin is a chemical that is made naturally in the body.  If you buy it, be aware that you should get synthetic melatonin (not actual melatonin from animal brains, for obvious reasons) and don't take more than 3 mg.  It works extremely  well;  the problem is that it is only for short-term use because it can suppress the production of melatonin in your brain, making it worse over the long-term.

Sleep therapy is really helpful, especially in conjunction with occasional use of one of the above herbs.  Some things to keep in mind:

--the bed is only for sleeping and s*x.  Don't do anything else on it, or you'll train your body that bed is not for sleeping.

--go to bed and get up at the same time every day (not fun, but it really does help)

--if you can't fall asleep after 10 or 15 minutes, get up and do something else (again, brain training)