Old-Fashioned Sleep Remedies

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Modern life, with its stresses and responsibilities, deprives many of us of much needed sleep and
rest so here are some old fashioned sleep remedies to fix that. The habit of being awake during the 
day and sleeping at night is not inborn in us. It is an old established habit. Primitive man felt helpless
 in the dark, so he adopted the practice of devoting the hours of night to sleep.
In former times man’s life was more regular and more natural, with fewer worries, possibly
because he was more resigned to his condition than we are. So sleep came to him spontaneously,
and when he was worn out by physical labor he recovered his strength during sleep.
Many treatments for sleeplessness and insomnia have been tried through the years and some of
these old-fashioned “sleep recipes” are still around today:

Warm Milk - This old stand-by is well known and it is recognized today as being one of the
quickest and easiest methods of helping one fall asleep. Simply pour your milk into a pan or
suitable container and place it on your stove for a few minutes to warm it. (Do not boil it) Drink a
glass or cup of Warm Milk before retiring. The calcium content of Milk has a sedative effect on
the nervous system.

Lemon-Rind Tea - Use the rind of one Lemon to a quart of Water. Wash and dry the Lemon well.
Peel it, retaining only the yellow part of the peel. Put this into a teapot. Pour on Boiling Water and
let it infuse for five minutes. Sweeten with Honey or Brown Sugar and drink before bedtime.

Apples - This is an old English favorite. Eat a large Apple, chewing it slowly, skin and all, before
going to bed.

Hot Baths - Hot Water is a sedative, and Water is a “source of joy.” Combine the two and wash
your cares away with lots of Water. A bath, to be truly relaxing, should be taken at 100 degrees
Fahrenheit. Put a cold compress on your forehead. Add Hot Water as the bath cools—and soak for
20 minutes or half an hour (with a book or a newspaper so that you don’t get bored).

Walking - A walk after dinner can be beneficial, especially for people working at desks or who
are in their cars a lot. The advantage of walking is that it aerates your lungs, and oxygen promotes
sleep.

Valerian Tea - Make a cup of tea with 10 drops of liquid Valerian Extract in a cup of Hot Water
30 minutes before retiring. You can buy the herb Valerian at certain pharmacies or at a health food
store. (Valerian acts as a mild sedative.)

Herbal Pillow - Some herbs promote slumber naturally, without side effects. Create an Herbal
Pillow with a piece of 8 - inch x 8 inch fabric, fold in half and sew two sides together. Leave one
side open for stuffing. Soft material is recommended. Stuff the pillow with a mixture of Lavender,
Hops, Chamomile and Rose Petals. When stuffed, sew the pillow closed and place it next to your
head. Fluff it before going to bed at night to release the soothing odors.

Caution: These sleep remedies and herbal formulas are printed as information only. We make no
claims as to the safety and effectiveness of any of the remedies listed. Insomnia may be a sign of a
more serious problem. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have sleep problems.

See also on this site:   20 Tips for a Good Night's Sleep

                                 Sleep - more tips

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