Natural sleeping pills may be a relatively new product, but using natural remedies to cure insomnia is an ancient practice. The earliest of these was a rather crude yet effective method of inducing sleep: opium. There is no denying that opium is an effective way of beating insomnia, but the side effects, huge potential for addiction and risk of overdose make it a very undesirable method. Today, as you are well aware, anything derived from opium poppies is highly controlled and using it for this purpose is illegal. In the ancient world they recognized the problems with opium as well and began searching for new sleep remedies.
The father of medicine Hippocrates (of the Hippocratic Oath) was one of the first to research the positive effects of Valerian Root. This is a small plant from the Plantae family in addition to being a gentle sedative has been used as an anti-convulsant and pain reliever as well as a charm to ward off elves. As to the last application, I could not testify to its effectiveness; but it works to relax the mind and put it in a state of ease conducive to good sleep. Side effects from using Valerian root are extremely rare, and generally mild. You should however discontinue use and contact your doctor if you notice jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin. Valerian Root is a corner stone of many modern natural sleeping pills.
Henbane, also sometimes referred to as hyoscyamus niger and stinking nightshade is another herb which has been used for many medicinal purposes and is also found in many natural sleeping pills. Because of a bad reputation due to its toxicity many people are hesitant to use it. Though in larger doses it can be dangerous, in small amounts it can be used with other herbs or on its own to treat insomnia safely.
One of the oldest herbs used for the purpose of sleep is St John's Wort. Though it went neglected for many years, the medical community is increasingly praising its applications in treating depression, anxiety and insomnia. Like Valerian Root, St John's Wort is the main ingredient in many natural sleeping pills. Though it is used by many people all around the world, its use is most prevalent in Western Europe where it is regularly prescribed by doctors and therapists to help patients deal with anxiety and anxiety related insomnia. There are few side effects associated with St John's Wort, and it is much safer than any prescription anti depressants or sleeping pills. The active ingredient in St John's Wort is a substance called hypericin, and very little about its method of action is known. As can be read on many information sites and blogs, users and doctors alike say it simply works, but they're not sure how. St John's Wort has been used by millions of people and has also been the subject of numerous clinical tests and has been shown to be both safe and effective.
These are all important ingredients to look for if you have chosen to try a herbal approach to dealing with insomnia, whether it be chronic or just a night or two. All of these can also be used in the treatment of mild to moderate anxiety. These substances do not negatively interact, but rather can work in concert with each other to produce calm, easy, and rejuvenating sleep. When reading the ingredients of a herbal remedy, be sure to check if all three are used, because these would be an optimal natural sleeping pills.