Abstract

HERBAL MEDICINE USED FOR THE TREATMENT OF INSOMNIA

Neelmani Chauhan* and Anushka Verma

ABSTRACT

Insomnia is a common problem, and herbs can be quite helpful and are much safer than most drugs for insomnia. Moderately potent herbs that primarily work by enhancing sleep architecture or quality are reviewed in detail. These include Valeriana officinalis (valerian), Valeriana sitchensis (Pacific valerian) and related species, Humulus lupulus (hops), and Piscidia piscipula (Jamaica dogwood). Much milder nervines, requiring long-term use for full benefits—including Passiflora incarnata (passionflower), Melissa officinalis (lemonbalm), Nepeta cataria (catnip), Scutellaria lateriflora (skullcap), and Centella asiatica (gotu kola)—are discussed, and their place in improving insomnia is clarified. The much stronger and less often used sedative herbs Gelsemium sempervirens (gelsemium), Pulsatilla vulgaris (common pasque flower), P. patens (Eastern pasque flower), Anemone (Pulsatilla) occidentalis (western pasque flower), and A. tuberosa (desert anemone) are considered next. Finally, the delayedonset sleep-maintaining herb Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) is put into clinical context.

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