There are not too many things that will leave you as miserable as a bad nights sleep, but when you suffer from insomnia night after night it becomes hard to function. While sometimes the causes of the insomnia are things that you can pinpoint such as pain, allergies, or anxiety, other times the causes are harder to figure out. Fortunately, there are a few natural products that may help you fall asleep and stay that way for the duration of the night. Here are a few you may want to try.

Melatonin

Melatonin is probably one of the most popular natural sleep aids that is sold on the market. This is a hormone that is naturally produced by your pineal gland, but as you age the amount you produces drop. It can be found in small amounts in certain foods such tart cherries, tomatoes, walnuts, orange bell peppers, milk, and flax seeds just to name a few.

Many people find that adding a little more in synthetic form can help to regulate their sleep rhythms and help offset bouts of insomnia. In addition to this, scientists have also found it may be effective in treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and reducing cluster headaches. 

Chamomile

Chamomile is a natural herb that has been used for hundreds of years to treat various ailments such as upset stomachs and insomnia. It can be traditionally found in two different types. They are:

• German chamomile (Matricaria retutica)
• Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

While they are both chamomile, they are used for different things. German chamomile is used to treat infection such as abscesses, gum inflammation, psoriasis, and even diaper rash. It has been shown to speed healing and may even produce younger looking skin. When used for these reasons it is normally mixed as a tincture or used in a bath.

The dried Roman chamomile is traditionally brewed in teas and used to treat an upset stomach, menstrual pain, or for insomnia. It has also been shown to boost your immune system and relieve stress. 

Some people who have allergies to ragweed or other types of pollen may find that they are unable to use chamomile, as it may cause an allergic reaction. It is also not recommended for people who take any type of blood thinners.

Magnesium 

Magnesium helps to relieve insomnia by reducing the cortisol or the stress hormone that is in your system. This reduction can help your muscles to relax and help you feel more calm. It can also helps with muscle pain following exercising or time put in at the gym. Magnesium is the reason that you feel so much after soaking in a tub of magnesium rich Epsom salts.

Unfortunately, Magnesium does not work to relax everyone and sometimes it has the exact opposite effect by making you feel more alert and even wired. If you choose to try adding a dose of Magnesium to your regime, it is advised to start real small and slowly work your way up.

Although all of these are natural products, they may still interact with other medications you may be taking. Always seek the approval of your primary care doctor prior to adding anything to your medication regime.

If you find that nothing you do is helping you sleep, there may be a medical problem behind it. You may be suffering from sleep apnea or other disorders.  Speak to your physician about having an evaluation done at a sleep clinic. They will be able to evaluate you as you attempt to sleep and look for signs and symptoms that are only present during this time. If anything is discovered they will be able to make recommendations to you and your physician that may be able to get you back to getting a good night sleep. For more information, visit websites like http://www.elkviewhospital.com.