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| Nervine relaxants are herbs that ease the tensions that often produce sleeplessness. |
| Antispasmodics relax muscles, thus easing any tightness that might be involved. |
| Nervine tonics are indicated if there is any suspicion that the insomnia is associated with nervous exhaustion (as it often is). |
| Adaptogens will help in a similar way to the nervine tonics, but should only be used in the morning to help deal with stress as they might be too energizing at night. |
| Often the key to successful treatment lies in focusing upon some part or function of the body that is experiencing problems that can lead to insomnia. This must be identified, and the appropriate herbs then selected. As most medicinal plants have a range of effects it is possible to choose remedies that are relevant to the underlying problem while also being hypnotics or nervines. These can be selected by the role they play upon the system in question and not simply according to their strength as hypnotics. Thus: |
| Circulatory system: The mild sedatives motherwort, lime blossom and lemon balm are helpful to the cardiovascular system. |
| Respiratory system: All of the hypnotics can help as antispasmodics in conditions such as asthma, if used at the right dose. Wild lettuce eases irritable coughs. |
| Digestive system: The relaxing nervines and carminatives are important, especially chamo- |
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