Natural Remedies for Insomnia: A Comprehensive Guide

I started using Brewer's Yeast (Nutritional Yeast) about 30+ years ago. I have discovered over the years how it has cured the worst diarrhea and vaginal candida. Since 2016 I started taking it not as a solution to a problem but an almost daily supplement and have amazing results. I sleep so well when I take it regularly. Cures all types of insomnia. I also have been taking it to keep me healthy. I have not had a cold for years and I was using it while working in the classroom. If I forget to take it I have gotten sick over the years but I have learned to take it right away when I am coming down with something and it helps amazingly.

I use 2 heaping tablespoons in a small cup of warm water. (tastes the best). Make sure you stir it and taken best like a "shot". I really don't mind it. I look at it as feeding the health gut bacteria that works for me.

I have noticed that my trouble sleeping vanished when I started snacking on dried figs (maybe about a cup a day). An eye twitch that I had been suffering with for over a year also disappeared. I noticed the improvement less than a week after starting to eat the figs. I skipped one day, and that night the sleeplessness returned. I resumed eating figs the next day and my sleep improved. It's been about a month now and I am so impressed by the results! I have read that figs are a good source of various vitamins and minerals, so I think it might be the combination that works for me. I had tried eliminating caffeine and taking magnesium supplements with no effect. I also tried mag-rich foods like hemp and pumpkin seeds with no effect. Potassium-rich bananas and avocados never helped me either.

Do you take everything you mentioned right before you go to bed?

For Insomnia and waking up at 2-3AM in the morning thats the liver and kidneys trying to detox.

Agree on Calcium as top sleep aid. I believe I've tried it all, including medications, but especially nutrition.

It seems obvious now, but I'd always tried calcium with other supplements.

I've gone so long with this deficiency, that I need calcium chelate without co-factors. It's something genetic because family members had other signs, such as heart arrhythmias, anxiety, so on. I'm taking a lot so I think it's an individualized thing.

lucy,

Some people find this specific magnesium combo useful for both sleep and RLS. Read some of the reviews on those specific topics.

Art

some of the herbal remedies for sleep all make my legs so restless!! I've tried valerian, hops, 5http, chamomile, melatonin, and some antihistamines. jump like frog legs, I am so tired..

I starting adding 30mg of zinc for Covid prevention, besides D3. Couple of weeks later I realized I had been sleeping much better; deeper, remembering dreams, less frequently getting up and only in the first couple of hours. (I take meds with a lot of water before bedtime.) And the zinc was the only new addition. After a little research I found out that yes, indeed, zinc does help with sleep disorders.

I realize everyone reacts differently to doses and remedies. I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. There are many causes. I think my cause is my blood sugar goes up during the night and wee morning hours. I tried so many remedies, what works for me at night is 6mg. Melatonin and 1 cup of Organic So. African Red Rooibos Tea. I buy it (80 bags) on Amazon, the tea relaxes. Everyone has to find the right dosage of melatonin that works for them.

I developed severe insomnia last winter (nov 07) and went through quite a trial for months, with none of the many things I tried helping much except some tips on how to improve sleep habits through cognitive behavioral therapy. I was doing better May-Oct 08 then all of a sudden the same severe insomnia symptom was back in full force. Last month I decided to try vitamin D3 2000 IU/day, after reading so many recent articles about the importance of this sunshine vitamin. I chose tablets with D3 source from lanolin, since I am allergic to fish. Within a week I was sleeping soundly at night, and I am continuing to sleep well. In retrospect, it is likely that I became more susceptible to vit. D deficiency after I became lactose intolerant and stopped drinking milk.

What adaptogens do u recommend for sleep and how do u take them? I like adaptogens for stress and energy but not sure how to use it which ones for sleep..I do randomly take 5 htp and not sure about it for sleep. Thank you

Ken, I just read your latest post, regarding sleep I have a few things: Serpina pills from Amazon or wherever, Serpina is an Ayurvedic herb that was produced in 1934 for lowering blood pressure, later it was and is used for insomnia. AKA: Indian Snakeroot. If you cannot sleep at all take 3 pills in AM and 3 pills in PM they are 4mg pills, no side effects, stop whenever you like. They also calm your mind down. If you like you can take 2 pills 3X daily. It does interact with cold flu medicines and Antipsychotic drugs. The other suggestion is to take Benadryl pills 50mg or 100mg and if you wake up 1,2 AM then take another pill to put you back to bed. Completely good to use providing no longer than 1-2 months. Long-term effects can cause memory loss. Best of luck. Joe

A spoonful of Honey before bedtime. If you waken though the night a spoonful will usually get yo back to sleep,

Apple Cider Vinegar

Helps you go to sleep. Pills (Nature's Bounty) work well, take 2-3. And stop eating wheat gluten which is the cause of so many ailments including insomnia in myself. 50 year old male.

I too suffered from hypnic jerks, past tense. It was my medication that was causing them, taking magnesium out of the system. I would get them when trying to fall asleep and just before you dose off, they would jerk you awake again. one night I jumped out of bed with one scary. Too much tea coffee and alcohol would also take magnesuim out of the system. I would get them real bad on a Sunday night if I was out drinking Saturday night. Now I take magnesium citrate two hours before bed 400mg with a snack, magnesium by solgar best quality. Not that expensive for a month's supply. Cut back on tea coffee and alcohol.

Insomnia, my best tablets are called Serpina (Indian Snakeroot) an Ayurvedic tablet that is excellent, plus has many other positive things, I can't write everything now but send me a message and I will try. Serpina tablets $7 at Amazon, or Distacart sells them. Dosage if can't sleep at all take 3 tablets in am and 3 tablets at nite. Once you're sleeping then reduce dosage if you want. They are completely safe, however will interact with Antipsychotics, cold, flu medicines. Non habit forming, stopping cold turkey is fine.

You can take OTC Benadryl 50 or 100mg if you wake up in middle of night then just take another 1 of those and fall back asleep. Since they can cause memory loss in long-term use I advise to take for 3-4 weeks maximum.

Never take sleeping pills, habit forming and dangerous. A Valium is fine a few days but they are habit forming and dangerous after 4-5 weeks maximum. Jujube fruit(Chinese dates)fight insomnia, Anxiety, buy at Amazon.

Last one for sleep: try L-Theanine pills (only must have: Suntheanine, highest quality) take 200mg twice daily or increase to 400mg 2X daily, they are safe and can be taken at 3,000mg safely, but rarely done. Best of luck to anyone who tries them. If you're happy & sleeping send me a message.

Last week I started taking some Motherwort twice a day. (2 droppers of the tincture twice daily - once in the morning and once before bed)

After a few days, I noticed that my sleep was better. I have a fitbit and each morning take note of how my sleep was the night before. It has been interesting to see what helps my sleep. Definitely, 15 mg of melatonin at night has improved the ratio of deep sleep and REM sleep to light sleep. After a few days of the Motherwort, I realized that my deep sleep is improved further. I wasn't taking it for sleep and it took me a little bit to even realize what in my routine had changed.

Motherwort is a relaxing herb. It is sometimes used for racing heart or for anxiety - I guess often the two go together. And apparently, it can help improve sleep!

I make my own motherwort tincture. I have used Herb Pharm's Motherwort tincture in the past and find it to be a quality brand if you are looking for Motherwort!

~Mama to Many~

The supplements that I had the most success with for my severe insomnia were:

• Vitamin D3 5000IU every night for a couple of weeks and then one every other night.
• Vitamin B3 (niacin) 500mg every night plus
• B12 5000mcg
• and B complex in liquid form.

I hope this helps you too.

Hi Denise/PCL,

Wow, that's a lot of magnesium citrate at 800 mg/day! Most people would be spending a lot of time in the bathroom at that dose of mag citrate.

I didn't know that was possible to see all of anyone's posts. I must have hundreds. I hadn't noticed that feature.

I will click over to your post link in a moment.

Art

Hello Art,

I do take Magnesium, usually just Citrate works for me, 400 mg twice a day. It does help me with sleep as well as leg and foot cramps at night. I also started taking it every day to hopefully help with Essential Tremors but I feel I need more than just the Magnesium.

I am able to see ALL your posts thank goodness, just by clicking your username. Then it takes me to another page that has a link to all your posts over the years. I think maybe in each of our profile, I know mine has an option to check or uncheck a box that asks if we want to allow others to see our posts/replies, and I have mine selected "yes" and I am betting you do as well. Finally figured that out when I woke at 1 a.m. and the thought just popped into my head, LOL!

I need to get your feedback, and possible knowledge of Taurine for Essential Tremor. I've posted there..

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/essential-tremor.html

..and so hoping you see this and stop in on that thread if you might be able to help me with searching for answer for my tremors in head & left-hand?

Can't thank you enough for all your dedication to helping others Art, Denise

I have been using iodine for many years with good health results. It worked well paired with my natural bovine thyroid supplement. A couple of years ago I changed from using Lugol's to a BioActive tablet form. There was no change in results, it was just easier to take.

30 days ago my husband mentioned that he seemed to be getting more and more sluggish. Asked about my thyroid supplement. Since he had never had to be on any thyroid meds in the past, I didn't think he should go that route, but mentioned that since he has been using sea salt rather than iodine infused table salt, that it may be why he now feels sluggish. He started on the BioActive iodine, taking it at night because that is when he would remember. Not only has he seen a difference in his energy levels, but his sleep is much better. Instead of waking at 1-3am he is sleeping until 5am and his sleep is more restoring. The few times he has forgotten it, he was again awake before 3. The iodine does help him to go to sleep, nor does it cause drowsiness. It just seems to provide what his body needs to be restored. Since then I have switched my intake of iodine to the evening, and find that my sleep is more restoring.

Sam,

Magnesium Glycinate as part of the combo at the dose recommended on the bottle is helpful for relaxing muscles and helping to get you to sleep.

Art

I also found scullcap to be helpful. But it didn't seem enough on it's own. Need more. Maybe a combo. Trying magnesium (& potassium) which began working but the magnesium dose was too high and started causing loose stools. Will try another type and a lower dose. Glycine is another addition that seems to help many. I heard taurine also helps. I seem to need a stack. Continue to biohack myself.

Hi GertJr -

That's a really good question! I found this article very informative:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d2-vs-d3#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6

Vitamin D3 is only found in animal-sourced foods, whereas D2 mainly comes from plant sources and fortified foods (it's cheaper to produce).

Vitamin D3 appears to be better than D2 at improving vitamin D status.

You can also get Vitamin D3 through sun exposure on your bare skin. The further you are away from the equator, the harder it is to get proper D3 levels from sun exposure alone.

If your total Vitamin D levels are in the optimal range, I wouldn't worry about the breakdown between D3 and D2 (none of my tests had a Vitamin D2 category - just D3).

Hope that helps!

Cheers,

Tessa

I have a question about vitamin D. I was reading 'Right Sleep' and the doc there says get B12 and Vit D blood tests. It's a pricy program, so I just did the blood test. My b12 was great, right in the middle of the range. My D3 was also right in the middle of the range, but my D2 was at the bottom, not even reading an exact number, simply <4. Does this matter at all? I've always read that D3 is what you want, but I'm thinking everything matters and should be in a good range. Should I do anything? and, if so, what?

I must say, since I started supplementing with D and B complex, I've been sleeping much better. How do I get all my numbers in the good range?

Going for morning walks to see the sunrise is so healing and definitely helps! I didn't even do it for that reason, it was just refreshing. It's hard to get into the habit at first if you haven't been sleeping well but it's worth the weeks or months it takes to get there for sure! I can't go out now but I'm going to try looking out the window in the morning to get the same benefits. Thanks ,Michelle!

I had years of insomnia and was told that my circadian rhythm off and that the best way to fix this was to look at the sunrise as many days as you can in a row to reset your natural clock. This makes it that the body creates and releases the correct hormones at the correct time. I had been making cortisol at night and melatonin during the day, which is not as it should be.