Insomnia is a condition usually caused by lowered levels of Melatonin in the brain. As a result, the affected person experiences sleeplessness at night and irregular sleep during the day. It can also be caused by stress, hormonal imbalance, depression, anxiety or deficiencies of magnesium or iron. Although there are several allopathic drugs to treat insomnia, you might want to explore these natural insomnia cures as well.

• Eat to sleep – Honey is a natural sleep promoter. A cup of water with two teaspoons of honey taken before sleep, works wonders as one of the natural insomnia cures. Another natural insomnia cure is roasted cinnamon boiled in water and taken half an hour before you retire to bed. Warm milk is another effective cure. Avoiding coffee and sweets before sleep regulates the blood sugar and caffeine levels. Bulk up instead on magnesium-rich foods such as legumes, almonds and dark leafy vegetables which aid sleep naturally.
• Aromatherapy, massage and hydrotherapy – Hydrotherapy is one of the more unconventional, yet effective natural insomnia cures. Try a warm, relaxing bath before bedtime. Even soaking your feet in a foot bath or adding sea salts, oils, herbs or bubbles to your bath may help. Filling your bath tub with warm water to ankle depth and walking around in the tub for a while sets up a rhythmic motion in your body and aids sleep.
Aromatherapy is also fast gaining importance as one of the good natural insomnia cures. For example, chamomile and lavender oils promote the onset of sleep and increase the quality and length of the sleep cycle.
Massaging the neck and shoulder areas with herb oils is very relaxing and helps to soothe the nerves. Lavender, sandalwood and rose oil are effective as natural insomnia cures when applied to the temples before sleep. A soothing massage, even without oils, improves blood circulation and relaxes tense muscles.
• Remedies from the Orient – Acupressure, one of the foremost Chinese natural insomnia cures, involve application of pressure at particular points behind the head and at the base of the skull. Acupuncture sessions taken for around 5 weeks increases the body’s Melatonin levels generated in the evening. The Indian science of Ayurveda states that massaging a patient’s fingers, palms, feet and toes with oil mixed with warm mustard seeds or sesame is one of the most potent natural insomnia cures.
• Sleep tracks and CBT – A brain wave entertainment compact disk or even simple sleep tracks on you tube or other commercially available music plays tones, rhythms, pulses and beats, which guide the electrical pulses of the brain to a relaxed mode. This aids in sleep. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is one of the lesser-known natural insomnia cures. It involves going through sessions with a trained CBT professional.
Other than these, ensure a firm bed, abstinence from television, regular bedtime and maintaining a diary are part of a natural regimen which induces sleep. Yoga, exercise and meditation can help with reducing stress levels and regulate the body’s natural sleep cycle. The various therapies, combined with a healthy diet and exercise will ensure you get a good night’s sleep, naturally.
