Although we might be a bit uncomfortable with this state of affairs, this is something that most of us can tolerate without too many ill-effects, other than feeling a bit jaded in the mornings. There are a number of herbs that can be easily taken as teas that are mild sedatives, that may help this sort of intermittent mild insomnia, especially where there is an anxiety or nervous element to sleeplessness.
Lime Flowers (Tillia x europa) a gentle but nevertheless useful herb for many complaints, widely drunk in France as a tissane. Not only may it help insomnia, but it helps with anxiety, can lower blood pressure and is thought to be an immune enhancer - it is also good to use for headaches that have a nervous cause, where it can be combined with Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) Melissa is also good for calming a restless mind when your brain's playback loop is in overdrive- (although not if you have low thyroid).
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) Good old chamomile again, what a treasure this herb is, a mild sedative it helps with anxiety, insomnia, restlessness and dyspepsia of a nervous origin. Best not used, however, if you have allergies to the 'Asteracea' family of plants (daisy-type flowers)
Cowslip Flowers (Primula veris). Not much used today, but an older country remedy which was mentioned as a remedy for melancholia by Abbess Hidegard of Bingen in the 12th Century. The flowers are sedative and hypnotic and are useful for headaches, migraines, restlessness and excitability. Apparently the flowers also make a clear and golden country wine - not something I've tried, but it does sound alluring.
Passionflower is a bit more of a heavy hitter than the others and is definitely contra-indicated if you are taking certain drugs such as MAOs, so check if this one is OK for you first. It is a good anxiolytic, hypnotic and sedative which is good for both helping you get off to sleep and also for helping you to stay asleep once you have nodded off.
Most of these herbs when taken as a teas can help and most can be obtained from good health food shops as tea bags, as single herbs or in combination with others. Cowslip might be harder to find (definitely no picking from the wild please!!). This makes preparation much easier. Brew in a good sized mug with boiling water, as you would for normal tea (cover the cup with a saucer or lid whilst it is brewing as some of these herbs contain volatile ingredients which might be lost in the steam). Drink when cooled about one hour / half hour before bedtime and stick to the suggested dosages. If the taste of some of these teas is a bit robust for you (Chamomile can be an acquired taste, for example), then include a spoonful of honey in the drink to sweeten it.
More serious insomnia
When insomnia becomes a more prolonged state of affairs, it is much more of a problem. This type of sleeplessness can seriously affect our quality of life, mentally, emotionally and when it is very long term, physically (lack of sleep has been linked with a higher risk of certain conditions such as Type II diabetes). We are less alert, less happy, more tired and more run down. This type of insomnia may require a more powerful approach (herbally speaking) as it may not respond to simple measures like herbal teas.
Herbs such as Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) in combination with others such as Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) and Californian Poppy (Eschscholtzia californica) and indeed some of those mentioned above, may be used as part of a wider based medicine by your medical herbalist, tailored to more to your individual physical and emotional requirements, as insomnia can be exacerbated and linked to a number of other causes.
Sources: Barker, J. (2001), The medicinal flora of Britain and Northwestern Europe. Kent, Winter Press.
This information is meant for educational purposes only and not intended as a guide to self-treatment. You should always seek professional advice. Remember that herbs can interact with other drugs and may be contra-indicated if you have certain medical conditions, are pregnant or lactating. Take care when using wild plants or herbs, that you have the correct species from a reliable source.
Catherine Schofield MNIMH Herbalist Cheshire Herbs and Herbal Medicine