Insomnia
Natural Remedies

Natural Remedies for Insomnia: A Comprehensive Guide

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

L-Tryptophan

4 User Reviews
5 star (1) 
  25%
3 star (2) 
  50%
1 star (1) 
  25%

Posted by Pam (Sacramento, Ca Us) on 02/13/2013
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I am a diabetic and have tried L-Tryptophan for sleep. It works great for sleep but it raises my blood sugar. I searched for articles regarding this and found many that stated tryptophan can cause a rise in blood sugar levels. I had excellent control of blood sugar levels and started taking tryptophan. Everytime I took this supplement at night my blood sugar would be high in the morning. When I quit taking it, no problem. Such a bummer too, because the tryptophan helped me get a good night sleep without prescription sleeping meds. I am going to try GABA now and see how that works.


L-Tryptophan
Posted by Hope (Sacramento, CA) on 12/07/2008
★★★★★

I have had insomnia for a good 10 or more years. I have tried everything and then read a book called The Mood Cure wherein I found the answer to my problems. Because I do not do well with 5HTP, I started using L-Tryptophan. I take 1500 mg each night before retiring - I open the capsules and mix them with a small amount of rice milk and shake well before drinking. I now sleep a good 7-8 hours straight through and awake feeling exceptionally refreshed and energetic!

Replied by Helen
(Houston, TX, USA)
10/01/2014
★☆☆☆☆

I tried L-Tryptophan several nights, thought one of the other substances was what kept me alert-awake. (I was taking several things at once - B3, herbs, etc, in desperate effort to get some sleep! Bad idea for figuring what is causing a worse problem instead of helping) I was having strange feelings in my chest which I now know to be heart palpitations.

Thinking no sleep meant I wasn't taking enough L-Triptophan (and that one of the other tools was causing the strange chest thumps), I upped from 500 mg to 1000 mg (2 pills) and took only L-Tryptophan (to eliminating, I thought, whatever was causing the chest spasms). But an hour after I got to bed wow was my heartbeat crazy! Like my whole chest was throbbing! Felt like a superslow beat 5 times the usual strength, but wrist pulse revealed a weak pulse beat in between the super big ones, so the rate was normal but the strength unusual. Really scary to have a resting heartbeat that intrudes on your awareness! Got up and searched for the half life - 1-2 hours. That was reassuring. An hour later my heartbeat was still too strong but far less so. (Food based L-Triptophan has a 10-12 hour half life because it's bound to protein; the pure supplement has a short half life.)

BTW, L-Triptophan supplement wearing off fast means it might be good for helping some people get to sleep but not keeping them asleep.


Lavender Oil

2 User Reviews
5 star (1) 
  50%
1 star (1) 
  50%

Posted by Saffordshire Born And Bred (Burntwood, Staffs, England) on 01/03/2011 2 posts
★★★★★

I have heard and read about people on the net that cannot get to sleep, they don't want to go down the tablet route and ask advice? For years now I have used Lavendar Oil. It's safe and none addictive. Just a couple of drops on your pillow and you will get a good nights sleep. Regards

Replied by Trudyg
(Anon)
05/09/2013
★☆☆☆☆

Not me, I was up all night thinking of how bad the smell was. Tried again after a week, put some on a cotton ball, same thing. Moved it farther away so no smell, but still no sleep.

Replied by Jo
(Nm)
04/16/2014

The last distillation of lavender produces a "water". There is term for it which I have forgotten. We found it in CA, but anyone distilling the plant should have it. Sprayed on the face and pillow, it induces sleep. Gentle enough for the babies, and tho fragrant, does not have the intense scent of the oil. Works as well as warm milk or chamomile, but not well enough to overcome the intense pain of neuropathy.


Lavender Tea

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by mr blake (Ontario) on 07/07/2023
★★★★★

A cup of lavender tea before bed is good for insomnia. Add about 1 tbsp or 4 tsp to 2 cups of hot not boiling water let steep.


Lecithin

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Thomas L. (Tucson, AZ) on 10/30/2022 64 posts
★★★★★

For decades with water I have taken a slightly rounded iced teaspoon of soy lecithin powder late afternoons or before bed for sleep. I also add a 1200 mg liquid soy lecithin softgel just for variety, although it is not necessary for results.

Lecithin has lots of phosphatidylcholine which relaxes the nervous system.

Eating chocolate can for two nights keeps me from getting back to sleep in the night, but chocolate flavonols are good for the brain.

I buy lecithin powder by the pound at BulkFoods, but they have been out of stock for months. Nuts.com has it, though.


Lemon Water

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Terry (Hemet, California U.S.) on 02/21/2014
★★★★★

I was having a heck of a time getting sleep! I would toss and turn most of the night and I was very tired by morning. I have heard so many people that are now senior citizens claim that they can't sleep? So I know that I am not alone with this frustrating problem.

I learned this from my husband as he loves to read about health issues.

He told me to try this for insomnia:

1. Fill a pitcher or container full of clean water.

2. Take a fresh lemon and slice it across in a few slices.

3. Place the slices of lemon in the water and allow this to sit for awhile.

4. Throughout the day drink a few glasses for this lemon/water. I try to drink at least 5 or 6 glasses of the lemon water.

This helps me sleep like a baby! Don't give up if it doesn't work for a few days. Keep drinking this solution.

What the lemons do is Alkaline the water! My husband read that our drinking water is too acidity. He read that this solution is similar to using baking soda. This has helped me so much in getting sleep.

I hope it works for those with insomnia. It works for my husband, my sister in law, and it works for me!

Once more thing if you use sugar in this water the sugar will only make the water acid again. Please do not use sugar in it.

Replied by Brad
(Ontario)
11/04/2022
★★★★★

I know this is an old post, but a calcified pineal gland will contribute to sleep problems, and lemon water will help decalcify pineal gland.


Lettuce Tea

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Mary Martinez (Arcadia, Ca) on 02/21/2018
★★★★★

LETTUCE TEA. For insomnia

I found this recipe from a lady I buy plants from. She said that her baby grandaughter was very troublesome so he said she rubbed the baby with lettuce leaves and placed a few underneath her pilllow as well and the baby went right to sleep! I found the recipe on the computer here it is:

How to Make Lettuce Leaf Tea

If you are wondering what else to do with all that lettuce laying around the house - try making a great cup of tea for insomnia. This simple recipe for lettuce tea will help you with insomnia and also acts as a mild sedative. The recipe was found in a 40 year old herbal medicine book - and I have tried it. It works ever so gently.

After the basic recipe there is more information about the particular lettuce that I chose, romaine, which is by far more nutritious than iceberg. I always recommend that lettuce be bought organic only.

Recipe for Lettuce Leaf Tea:

- 2 outer leaves of organic romaine lettuce

- 8 ounces of water

Thoroughly wash the leaves and then simmer for 20 minutes in the 1/2 pint of water.

Strain and drink before bedtime

How often should I drink it? - While it is recommended as a nightly drink - I'd suggest trying it first on the weekend when you don't have to get up for work and see how you feel. It is supposed to have sedative effects and I found the next day that I wanted to lay around and read a book. I didn't feel tired but wanted to lay around - it felt quite good. Perhaps that is the sedative effect.

Read the full article: https://hubpages.com/food/Make-Lettuce-Tea-for-Insomnia

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tn)
02/22/2018

Mary,

This is great!

100 years ago, Beatrix Potter wrote about the "soporific effect of lettuce on the Flopsy Bunnies" in a children book! The bunnies were sound asleep from eating too much lettuce.

I guess she knew what she was talking about!

Thanks!

~Mama to Many~


Light Therapy

Posted by Trudy (Va) on 08/02/2013

Does anyone know if light therapy works? If so, what kind of thing are you looking for when shopping for a light box? I'm still searching for a solution to my chronic insomnia. I go to bed fairly early, but don't fall asleep. If I stay up later, I don't fall asleep. When I do sleep, I sleep in snatches of 15-20 minutes and wake up. I actually sleep better on the couch with the tv on--the show occupies my mind and stifles the chatter. After an hour or so of this, I can usually get up and go to bed. Even then, if I do go back to sleep, I'm only sleeping for short periods of time before waking. I leave the house for work at 6 a.m. , so I can't try going to bed at what most think of as bedtime. Also, I get up at 4 to feed the livestock (so I get early morning sun/light) and get ready for work, so what's early for you may be late for me.

Replied by Steve
(Nevada)
08/02/2013

Not sure if light therapy would help with insomnia. I think a sleep formula might be more helpful.

Replied by Innanalives
(Middletown, Delaware)
08/03/2013

Poppy oil capsules work very well for chronic insomnia. Dreams are life-like and you wake up feeling refreshed. Please be advised that blue lights from appliances can cause insomnia...

Replied by Trudy
(Va)
08/04/2013

I have tried everything (sleep formula) that has been suggested on earth clinic. That's why I'm asking about the light therapy. I've tried sounds, herbs, finger-dcounting, pillow method, mag oil---the only thing I've seen so far that I haven't tried is what someone just suggested--poppy oil capsules. Never heard of that one. Will get some and try it. I need relief. The onlyh sleep I get is with ambien, and it's not restorative. Other than that when I take an imitrex and hydrocodone for chronic migraine. Thank everyone for the suggestions, I jsut wish I'd get something new to try as nothing has worked and ted has not responded. I think I have something very basic going on that has not been addressed, but can't think of what. I have never been a good sleeper and have always had ibs-D (over 50 years).

Replied by Trudy
(Va)
08/05/2013

My question was 'does light therapy work'. Thank you for your reply, but I am not willing to go vegan. I have free range, pastured hens for eggs. I grow a garden. I buy a side of pastured, grass fed beef for my freezer. Yes, I'm sure I eat gmo food--it's near impossible not to, but I do my best to avoid it. My diet is very good--home-grown foods for the vast majority. Also, one cup of coffee in the morning then only water. I can't be outside b/c I work, so that's my question--do light boxed help with insomnia?

Replied by Mt
(Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
08/05/2013

Due to IBS you may have a vitamin/ mineral imbalance. See this link for deficiencies in Vitamins B: http://www.longevinst.org/nlt/newsletter19.htm. You should get a book describing the vitamins and minerals required by the body.

If you do not have enough sun exposure, you may be vitamin D deficient.

For IBS you should try to eat green bananas -the starch from these bananas can heal the intestines. Do you eat raw garlic/ onion? Do you avoid gluten? Do you drink spring water?

Read about calamus roots-it is a good way to heal the digestive system.

Replied by Amy
(Colorado)
08/06/2013

Yes, light therapy can help but you have to be careful because there are all sorts of light therapy and some can be pretty startling. I would look for they light therapy that uses a moving bed along with gradually using all spectrums of light. Some light therapy abruptly flashes light and can be very startling and more harmful than good. There is a great place in Niwot, CO.

The other thing you may want to try is healthy probiotics. If you have taken antibiotics or eaten a bunch of meat with antibiotics, this can cause a lack of healthy enzymes in your stomach which can cause problems with sleep. It could have been a long time ago that you consumed the antibiotics, but if you never replaced them with healthy antibiotics, it can still be a huge problem You want to get the best possible probiotics you can, because if you only take mediocre ones, that will not help. I took 2 at least 20 minutes before I ate in the morning and 2 at least 20 minutes after I ate before I went to sleep and within 3 doses, I slept great. I finished a bottle of 90 and was fine for a while.


Linen

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 04/13/2024 525 posts
★★★★★

I've just been reading that blind people have trouble sleeping but that linen sheets and pillow cases create a significant difference.

Along with the sleep issue, I've come across reports of linen pillow cases doing tremendous things for other issues before but, apparently linen sheets, pajamas and other clothing are useful for all sorts of issues.

I was looking at this because I got some new yoga pants for sleeping and was having "bursitis" (undiagnosed) pains in my thighs and someone suggested wearing my old pj pants, instead. So, last night, I slept in my old pj pants and NO PAIN!

I've always known of the magical properties of linen and that it can prevent bedsores but NEVER heard of it helping with so many things like this. But it actually makes sense, just due to the electromagnetic "frequency" of linen but still, WOW! I've always said linen was like a "mother", providing precisely what's needed to stay either warm or cool, as opposed to cotton, but apparently it does much more than that.


Liver and Kidney Detoxing

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Faith (Unalaska) on 03/30/2022
★★★★★

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


Magnesium

9 User Reviews
5 star (6) 
  67%
3 star (2) 
  22%
(1) 
  11%

Posted by Raeofsun13 (Colorado) on 12/25/2018
★★★★★

Thought I would share my remedy and experience with not sleeping great. I have had two cervical fusions and am fused at 3 levels. I also have had an arm surgery with screws in my arm. I have arthritis and a bone spur on my big toe, arthritis is my thumbs and numerous other aches and pains. I was a competitive gymnast in my youth and hard on my body. I have tried various things to help me sleep, during the time of my surgeries I was on ambien, which I wouldn't recommend to anyone.

The thing that I have found most helpful is Magnesium Glycinate, it is the most highly absorbable form of magnesium for our bodies. I am amazed at how much better I have been sleeping. Have been taking 3/4 teaspoon at night, typically able to sleep through the night now, I used to wake up around 3 and toss and turn due to aches and pains. I have used this also when feeling sore or whenever I feel too many aches and pains. It works great.


Magnesium
Posted by Bama (Bama) on 02/29/2016
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I have ibs-d and insomnia. Ted (I think) suggested magnesium for the insomnia, but I have to be careful taking it because of the diarrhea. So, I've been reading and have heard of something called angstrom magnesium--such small particles that it bypasses the gut and goes straight into the system. So, I got some and tried it last night--had diarrhea all day today. I also do the mag oil, so am I getting too much? It did seem to help me sleep, I was groggy most of today, but it wasn't a good sound sleep. I wake and doze all night. I also take niacin (500 mg 2X/day), the code kind of multivitamin, d3, b complex, astaxanthin (4 mg/d), calcium aep (don't remember the dose) and ubiquinol (200 mg/d). I use the mag oil in the morning after my shower, about a tablespoon worth. I thought the angstrom kind didn't cause digestive upset--maybe it was something else? I really felt under the weather all day. Thanks for the input.


Magnesium
Posted by Wendy (Westport, Ct) on 09/22/2013
★★★★★

I have been suffering from insomnia which really kicked in this summer. I think it is perimenopausal or hormonally based insomnia. The one remedy that has worked beautifully for me has been magnesium. I take 1 teaspoon of magnesium powder (the kind that dissolves in water) just before going to sleep and having been sleeping through the night. What a miracle it has been! If I wake up and need to use the bathroom, getting back to sleep takes only minutes. I tried taking magnesium earlier in the day and it didn't have the same effect. Taking it just before going to sleep is the perfect time.

Before I took magnesium, I would wake up at the slightest sound and then be awake for 2-3 hours.

I started at 1/2 teaspoon of magnesium poweder in 1/2 glass of warm water and have slowly worked my way up to 1 teaspoon because of the loose stools effect. I did get a series of stomach aches and a few rounds of diarrhea when I started taking magnesium but now I can tolerate larger and larger doses. It did take a few weeks to go from 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon.

Replied by Tom
(Fort Worth, Texas)
09/24/2013

Wendy: Thank you for that great post on the use of magnesium and insomnia. I have insomnia problems that herbals haven't seemed to help. (Worry about work I think.) But I'll try the mag at night as you recommended.

Replied by Toourlady
(Hayward, Ca)
09/25/2013

There several forms of Magnesium. One of the most absorbable would be Mg Glycinate capsules, it does not have the laxative side effect.

Replied by Wendy
(Westport, Ct)
10/01/2013

Thanks Tourlady89, I will try Mag Glycinate. Would be nice not to experience side effects from Magnesium! I have also recently tried magnesium oil but waiting around for the oil to absorb into the skin for 20 minutes isn't much fun!

Replied by Tim
(Chicago, Illinois)
04/10/2014

Liquid forms of magnesium chloride or magnesium citrate are great, and there is also a pill form of Magnesium Glycinate that's also very effective. Magnesium definitely helps to cure insomnia, that's for sure! Best, too, if you take small doses throughout the day, not just at night when you want to go to sleep. Take it throughout the day so it can build up in your system. A lot of times people (and people in general) with insomnia are deficient in magnesium.

Replied by KT
(Usa)
04/11/2014

Compelled to provide this warning: according to a nutrition almanac, high levels of magnesium can cause skeletal paralysis, respiratory depression, coma and death. Magnesium is generally well tolerated but there are exceptions and when in doubt, a physician should be consulted. Sometimes less is better.

Replied by Gabrielle
(Los Angeles, Ca)
04/16/2014

Magnesium Chloride, liquid form 2 teaspoons 3 X a day. Magnesium Glycinate (tablets), and liquid Magnesium Citrate all have been very effective for me in helping me relax and having a good, sound night's sleep.

Replied by Yc
(Virginia)
01/17/2017

I took 400 mg magnesium glycerinate an hour before bed for 2 nights and had severe insomnia both nights. Does that mean I am not MG deficient? Or should I take them during the day? I have been having menopause based insomnia, I think, for over 5 years, and so eager to find something that can help me sleep.

Replied by Jean H.
(Us)
04/15/2018

I don't doubt what you're saying, but magnesium has what's called 'bowel tolerance' where your body shunts any excess to the GI tract washing it out. When you've reached the amount your body needs, you develop loose stools and/or diarrhea that washes the excess out of your system. Look at the magnesium citrate given for bowel cleanses and colonoscopies that are at least 12,000 mg, and are considered to be safe.


Magnesium
Posted by Carmela (Cambridge, Ma) on 05/20/2013
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I have an issue at night where if I wake up to go to the bathroom, I can't get back to sleep for exactly two hours, no matter what. Yes, 2 hours. I have timed it! I finally found something that works: Magnesium citrate. If I take a teaspoon at night, I can get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and get back to sleep almost immediately. The side effect of powdered magnesium is intense gas and stomach pain, which I have had on several occasions. However, the gas passes about 30 minutes after taking the magnesium. There is probably a "best" time to take magnesium, but I haven't figured it out yet. Sometimes I get stomach pain and sometimes I don't.

I tried Epsom salt foot bath a few nights ago (1 cup of ES in hot water and soaked my feet for an hour) and it relaxed me somewhat, but I didn't get the same deep state of relaxation the internal magnesium provides. I will next try magnesium chloride oil foot baths and report back. Hope this helps someone.


Magnesium
Posted by Maria De Suecia (London, United Kingdom) on 10/24/2010
★★★★★

Oh my god! I have suffered ruthless episodes of insomnia the last 6 years. This has destroyed my life. As a result I had to withdraw from my PhD program, for example. I simply would not be able to sleep at all, for months at a time. Finally a doctor put me on a very sedating antidepressant. It made me sleep but made me drowsy all day and I lost my short term memory. I got off that 2 years ago and have since had poor sleep but I have slept for a few hours. Anyway, 2 weeks ago I got a new episode. I would lay awake for hours and when I finally began to dose off my body would jerk and twitch so I would wake up again. And so it went on the entire night.

Finally I googled "insomnia and twitching" and got thousands of hits saying "magnesium deficiency". One site in particular said "if you suffer from insomnia, body jerks and twitches, chest and back pain and cannot take deep breaths, then you should take magnesium. " So I read thousands of sites and found one particular brand of magnesium that seemed to help the best. I assume I cannot mention the brand here but it's a powder form and you must mix it with hot water. Given the severity of my insomnia I didn't think a mineral would ever do the trick, but what could I loose? So I ordered it as a last resort before going to the doctor to get sleeping pills. I am not kidding you, day 1 was better, day 2 even better and since day 3 I have slept like a rock for 8.5 hours straight. My chest and back pain are almost gone and I can breath properly.

I have read countless of anecdotes by people discussing insomnia and magnesium. It seems as if absorption is a big problem. Please don't give up if the first attempt doesn't work. Go to the health food store and ask for the brand that has the best absorption. If you do get a good intake of calcium you may be magnesium deficient and may do better on magnesium alone. Otherwise magnesium and calcium is recommended. Personally I take 800 mg/night. Google it! Given my severity of insomnia I am blown away that it all came down to a mineral. WOW!!!

Replied by Pam
(Marlborough, Ct, Usa)
10/26/2010

Hi, I have had trouble sleeping for quite a while, and also have the twitching problem so bad sometimes that I feel like I want to run around the block. It doesn't happen every night but, I would sure like to sleep like you are I am going to give it a try. Thanks Pam

Replied by Robert
(Chicago, Il)
01/16/2011

Magnesium that has the best absorption is magnesium citrate. Be sure to always check labels.

Replied by Mike
(Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
01/17/2011

Maria, your post is exactly what this site is all about!!! I to have suffered from insomnia for many years and would have never guessed that it was magnesium related. That is why this site is so valuable for curing illnesses because it tends to promote the idea that "NATURAL PRODUCTS ARE THE BEST WAY TO CURE ALL MINOR ILLNESS THAT POTENTIALLY CAN LEAD TO IRREPARABLE SERIOUS ILLNESSES IN THE LONG RUN".

Thanks Earth Clinic since this is not the first illness I was able to treat just by reading from the experience of others. Perfect example how Prescription and Over The Counter Drugs once again has no place in the human body! You might Google to find out which food has the highest magnesium content and change your eating habit accordingly. Mike

Replied by Mike
(Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
01/17/2011

I have found this site for describing food with highest Magnesium content www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/food/magnesium-foods.htm

Replied by Surulere
(Bloomfield, Nj, Usa)
01/18/2011

Maria, can you kindly email the name of the brand your are using to solve the insomnia issue. Surulere(at)gmail(dot)com

Replied by Zsaqwe
(Brownsville, Texas, Usa)
01/18/2011

Maria, what you describe is exactly how I had to live for 15 years. I hardly could cope with my two babies with that terrible insomnia. Please tell us what magnesium to take. There is many different magnesium. Which one? I found this info in the web. www.relieve-migraine-headache.com/magnesium-migraines

So just what is the magnesium migraines connection? Researchers have been investigating the magnesium migraines connection because of magnesium's role in stabilizing blood vessels walls. Magnesium is also an important mineral when it comes to helping you get to sleep. Regular sleeping patterns are also very important to migraine sufferers. Magnesium also helps in protein synthesis, and keeps your bones strong and helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function. It was first suggested that a deficiency in magnesium could cause headaches over 70 years ago. It makes sense, because a lot of the things that cause the body to run short of magnesium also either trigger migraines or lower your resistance. For example alcohol, stress, and menstruation. Today we know that about half of the people who get migraines are also short of a certain type of magnesium (serum ionized). When faced with a migraine that won't respond to treatment, many headache specialists will give an injection of magnesium. You should be able to get benefits from long term (2-3 months or more) regular magnesium supplements.

The magnesium migraines link may make a big difference to many people. Certain types of magnesium are not well absorbed by the body. Too much magnesium, particularly the wrong kinds of magnesium, can cause diarrhea and simply make your mineral deficiency worse. Also, remember to take magnesium for at least 60-90 days to see if it makes a difference. If your body isn't absorbing magnesium well, try avoid these types of magnesium: Oxide, hydroxide, and chloride. Instead, look for magnesium types that end in "ate", particularly glycinate, but also gluconate, lactate and orotate.

Note: Very often two or more types of magnesium are combined, such as oxide and citrate. The best thing is to simply talk to your doctor and then try one kind and see how your body handles it. A note about calcium: Magnesium and calcium balance each other out in the body. If you have too much of one and not enough of another, it can cause problems. That's one reason why it's important not to take too much of one or the other. However, when taking magnesium for migraine don't buy a calcium/magnesium blend. If you're taking a calcium supplement, take it at another time of day. It can interfere with the benefits of the magnesium for migraine.

Replied by Maria De Suecia
(Stockholm/london, Sweden/uk)
03/24/2011
★★★★★

Hi, I'm responding to those of you who had a question regarding which magnesium I was taking to treat insomnia. I posted this on 10/24/2010.

Insomnia DESTROYED my life, beginning 6 years ago. I had to drop out of one of the best PhD programs in the world in my field. Sleeping pills didn't even work. I was put on an antidepressant, just for the insomnia, that is normally given to Alzheimers patients in order to sedate and calm them down. It D*E*S*T*R*O*Y*E*D my life. And now look.

First let me sum up, 5 months on after my magnesium discovery, and I still sleep like a rock. But I've discovered an even better magnesium. Let me tell you the exact experience.

I initially began taking a regular pill form of "magnesium carbonate", and it clearly helped a lot but I would still wake up a few times with these awful hypnic jerks. I did this for a few days while I was waiting for my order of this magnesium powder that people rave about on various sites.

I can't reveal the brand name because I think it will be deleted by Earthclinic. I totally respect that since the non-commercial integrity of this site makes it so trustworthy. If I tell you the following, then you'll be able to track it down: this particular brand of magnesium is in "magnesium carbonate" form and was developed by a leading nutritional researcher named Peter Gillham. Now you can google that and find the name of the brand. I'll take a shot at revealing the name as I have found it so helpful and I hope that Earthclinic will post it to help people. It's called: Calm Natural.

I take the magnesium only, but they sell a calcium-magnesium blend as well.

So I got the order of this powder and I had done enough research to know that, unless you have an existing kidney or liver problem, it is pretty much impossible to overdose on magnesium. I was in a state of panic because I did not want this awful insomnia to keep wrecking my life, so the first night I took 1200 mg of this stuff. Fell alseep instantly. Not one hypnic jerk. Nothing. Slept! Slept! Slept! I took this dose every night without getting a loose stool (which is an indication that you take too much). Day 4 I woke up with loose stool. But I didn't flipping care, it's better than taking sleeping pills or not sleeping at all. But at this point I reduced the dose a bit, still slept like a baby.

I kept thinking that it must be too good to be true since sleeping pills had not even worked for my insomnia/hypnic jerks in the past. But oh no, I kept sleeping, adjusting the dose so that I would take just the amount that my stomach could handle - sometimes diarrhea and sometimes not. With time I needed less and less and after a few weeks I could even skip a few nights here and there.

Now to the other big discovery. I tried magnesium oil. EVEN BETTER! Some points on my experience with magnesium oil. 1) I am using a magnesium oil derived from the ancient Zechstein seabed (google it) - many brands of magnesium oil get their oil from this place. It's the gold standard source. 2) Magnsium oil is better since it does not go through your intestine you can apply as much as is needed without getting a loose stool. 3) I began using this in conjunction with drinking the magnesium powder, not risking insomnia. Bloody h***ll, this works wonders! 4) Initially I rubbed this stuff all over my body, 20 minutes before bedtime. One must be prepared that initially it feels as if you have been stung by a swarm of bees, but it gets better with time, believe me, like 4 weeks or so of applying it daily and it will no longer sting. I did this combo for 4 weeks, every single night. After 4 weeks my magnesium levels seemed to have been built up enough so I only needed to rub it on my belly before bedtime. 5) Yes, it's a bit oily, but again, I don't flipping care, I want to sleep after 6 years without sleeping.

So where am I now? I no longer drink the magnesium powder and fall alseep without a problem just by rubbing the magnesium oil on my belly. If I have a feeling that sleep is a bit more rocky I simply rub my entire body with the oil.

One point to be made here is that the magnesium has helped me with the hypnic jerks that prevented me from falling asleep. I would have these hypnic jerks, what felt like, one thousand times per night. They drove me crazy! Now they are GONE! GONE! GONE! 6 years of hell is gone!!! I don't know if magnesium helps with regular insomnia when you just lie awake starring, perhaps calcium in combination with magnesium is a better option then.

In treating my adrenal glands I began taking a high potency (OBSERVE, VERY IMPORTANT: HIGH POTENCY) vitamin B complex, which I noticed made me feel much much calmer in general. I still take that.

There are other minerals and vitamins that can cause insomnia. I read about that somewhere. I remember one of them being Folate.

Replied by Bev
(Fort Lauderdale, Fl)
05/24/2013

Magnesium Oil is NOT oil -- but feels like it. I also hate the itchy feeling of this oil on my skin but I found that if I dilute it about 1/2 and 1/2 with water, there is no discomfort. I usually spray it on right after a shower -- in the shower. I don't apply it to my butt as I usually go and check my email (in the nude) while I'm waiting for it to dry.

Your skin will still feel a little "oily", but it will not stain your clothes.

Replied by Jean H.
(Us)
04/15/2018

If the magnesium oil stings, it's an indication that your body is low in magnesium so dilute the oil with a bit of purified water so it doesn't sting. You can also make a magnesium body butter with 2 parts cocoa, shea or mango butter, 1 part coconut oil and 1 part magnesium oil. Melt butter and oil over double boiler, stir to help emulsify. Allow to cool for about 20 minutes. Slowly mix magnesium oil in butter/oil mixture, mix with hand mixer. Put in the fridge for about 20 minutes to cool and then blend a second time with hand mixer and put in container. I saved a large necked jar from some herbs for my dogs that I use that works well. A teaspoon of the body butter provides approximately 250 mg of magnesium chloride.



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