Three of the most commonly used natural sleep aids include KAVA, Melatonin and Valerian. These are considered to be herbal products that help the body naturally wind down in order to prepare for a night’s rest. The majority of these items can be purchased over the counter and typically do not need a doctor’s prescription. However, it is best to consult with your doctor before buying any of these natural sleeping aids. He/She will help diagnose your particular sleep disorder first or even determine if your case is serious enough to warrant the use of a sleeping aid, which type of sleep aid will work best for your needs is best diagnosed by a doctor.
Pour ME a Cup of KAVA!
Kava is an herb that serves to naturally combat feelings of anxiety. Having anxiety is a common symptom related to insomnia, which many people suffer from these days. KAVA is available for use as a liquid extract, tablet, capsule or beverage. When consumed, kava works as a sedative, which helps insomniacs fall asleep and stay asleep. However, it is important to note that this type of herbal sleep aid should not be used long term since it can cause severe liver damage.
As with any herbal medication or supplement, side effects are possible with KAVA (Piper methysticum). In fact, several countries have banned this product due to reports of dangerous side effects. However, not all of the possible kava side effects are serious; some are merely bothersome.
Some of the more severe side effects of using KAVA are:
Liver damage – a Yellowing of the eyes or skin, otherwise known as jaundice
Upper right abdominal pain (stomach pain)
Elevated liver enzymes (usually detected using a blood test)
Unusual, uncontrollable body movements or spasms
Shakiness (tremor)
Allergic reactions, such as: Rashes, Hives, Itching, Swelling of the mouth or throat, Wheezing and General Difficulty breathing.
The most serious side effect of kava is of course liver damage. Many people dispute the validity of such reports, claiming that these cases of liver damage may be due to something other than kava; however, other in depth studies have shown many such cases in several different countries as true. As a result, several countries have completely banned the use of kava. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about possible liver damage due to this supplement and it’s use, long term or short term.
Fill ME up with some Melatonin
There are natural products on the market that contain melatonin in safe, recommended dosages along with other therapeutic nutrients that can enhance its effectiveness, however Melatonin side effects can be quite serious. It’s important to find out about this hormonal supplement before you decide to take it to help with your health conditions.
As with all hormonal supplements, there are many different potential melatonin side effects to contend with which may make this a unwise choice for your condition, unless you find a quality supplement with recommended dosages. Hopefully there will be more adequate clinical trials to prove the safety of melatonin supplements in the future.
Side Effects? Sign me UP!
Reported melatonin side effects include headaches, nausea, depression, nightmares and vivid dreams, irritability, abdominal cramps and dizziness. Melatonin facts also point to negative effects on the reproductive system as well as decreased sex drive in both men and women.
Since melatonin is a hormone, it can affect many internal body processes. Melatonin facts show that those with depression might experience worsening symptoms. Others at a higher risk of developing melatonin side effects are people with liver disease, seizure disorders and high blood pressure.
Valeriana Officinalis - All-heal, Amantilla, Setwall, Setewale, Capon’s Tail
Now does that sound Natural to You?
Valerian is a plant native to Europe and Asia. It grows to up to four feet high and has trumpet-shaped flowers. The roots are used medicinally. Although the fresh root is relatively odorless, the dried root has a strong odor that many find unpleasant.
Valerian is believed to have been used since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. It was used as a folk remedy for a variety of conditions such as sleeping problems, digestive complaints, nervousness, trembling, tension headaches and heart palpitations.
There is no consensus on what the active constituents of valerian are. It’s possible that valerian’s activity may result from a combination of compounds rather than any one. Valerian appears to increase the body’s available supply of the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), possibly by increasing its production, decreasing its absorption or slowing its breakdown. Valerian can be found in capsule, tea, tablet or liquid extract forms in most health food stores, some drugstores and online.
Side Effects and Safety Concerns
Pregnant or nursing women and children should not use Valerian.
People taking medications for insomnia or anxiety, such as benzodiazepines, should not combine these medications with Valerian.
Side effects of Valerian may include headache, dizziness, itchiness, upset stomach, drowsiness during the daytime, dry mouth and vivid dreams. Rarely, liver damage has been associated with the use of Valerian, however it’s still not certain whether the cause of the liver damage was due to Valerian itself or to contaminants in the product. Until we know more, people should use Valerian sparingly and only under the supervision of a qualified health care practitioner and those with liver disease should avoid it completely. Although liver damage doesn’t always produce noticeable symptoms, if excessive tiredness, intense itching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen, or a yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin occurs, see your doctor immediately.
Possible Further Complications
Valerian may cause excessive sleepiness or daytime drowsiness if combined with other drugs that cause drowsiness, such as the benzodiazepines Ativan (lorazepam) or Valium (diazepam), some antidepressants, narcotics such as codeine, and barbituates such as phenobarbitol, or with over-the-counter sleep and cold products containing diphenhydramine and doxylamine. It may also cause excessive sleepiness if taken with herbs thought to have a sedative effect, such as hops (BEER) and KAVA (see the beginning of this article).
Valerian is broken down in the liver. Theoretically, it could interfere with the effectiveness of medications that are broken down by the same liver enzymes, such as:
allergy medications like Allegra (fexofenadine)
cholesterol medication such as Mevacor (lovastatin)
antifungal drugs such as Sporanox (itraconazole) and Nizoral (ketoconazole)
cancer medications such as Camptosar (irinotecan), Etopophos, Vepesid (etoposide), Gleevec (STI571), Taxol (paclitaxel), Velbe (vinblastine) or Oncovin (vincristine)
Now with ALL of these “natural” choices we have listed above, do you really want to take a chance with any of them? Did you notice or find any side effects you get with them? What about physical damage or nerve symptoms? We think the answer is obvious, trust in Dr.Tim Swift’s truly Natural Sleep Supplement minerals to help you get a good night’s sleep the ALL natural, healthy way!
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“I needed something safe while nursing and...it makes me a good Mom.”-Stephanie