Insomnia
Synopsis of Insomnia
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early and being unable to return to sleep. It can be acute (short-term, often stress-related) or chronic (occurring at least three nights per week for three months or more). It affects not only sleep quantity but also quality, leading to daytime fatigue, mood disturbances, and cognitive impairment.
Primary causes include:
-
Stress, anxiety, or depression
-
Poor sleep habits (e.g., irregular schedule, screen use before bed)
-
Caffeine, alcohol, or certain medications
-
Chronic pain or medical conditions
-
Hormonal imbalances (e.g., menopause, thyroid disorders)
-
Sleep disorders (e.g., restless legs, sleep apnea)
Symptoms of insomnia include:
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Trouble falling asleep at night
-
Frequent nighttime awakenings
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Waking up too early
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Not feeling rested after sleep
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Irritability, poor concentration, or daytime sleepiness
When to see a doctor:
If insomnia persists for weeks or interferes with daily life, it’s important to rule out underlying medical, psychiatric, or neurological conditions. Sleep studies may be recommended in complex cases.
Natural remedies for Insomnia
Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Limit screens, caffeine, and stimulating activity before bed.
Use the Bedroom for Sleep Only: Avoid working, watching TV, or eating in bed.
Practice Relaxation Techniques: Meditation, deep breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation can ease mental tension.
Limit Daytime Naps and Heavy Evening Meals: Both can disrupt nighttime sleep.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Insomnia
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
alpha-pinene
amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
bamboo
benegut perilla (proprietary)
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
beta-pinene
bilberry
black cumin
black tea
blackberry
Indian frankincense
bovine
branched-chain amino acids
rice
calcium
California poppy
camu camu
cassia bark
cat's claw
chamomile
cherry
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
Coptis chinensis
ethanol
fennel
fish protein
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green bell pepper
green tea
guarana
guayusa
heartwood
hops
inositol
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-cystine
l-glutamine
l-histidine
l-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus reuteri
lavender
lemon balm
luteolin
maca
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
spruce
ophiopogon root
orange
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
passionflower
perilla
phytocannabinoids
pollen
polygala root
butyric acid
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
rutin
saffron
sage
scrophularia root
silicon
skullcap
starch
tomato
valerian root
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
seaweed
watermelon
whey protein
zinc
catnip
tangerine
capsicum
anise
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
bee pollen
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
morus
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
dioscorea
fern
ganoderma
lotus seed
royal jelly
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
St. John's Wort
aster root
peach
wood betony
goji berry
algae
kidney beans
soursop
16 carbon alkyl
10-Hydroxy-2-Decanoic Acid
3-Ketosteroid
5-Methoxytryptamine
5-HTP (test)
5-HTP
Ashwagandha
Aralia
Angelica archanglica
Avens
African Snakeroot
Amber
Asoka
Alkylamide (unspecified)
Adrenals
Aloe Polysaccharide
Aerva Lanta
Alpinia
Agastache
Average Herb Strength
Aliphatic alcohol
Alpha-Humulene
Alpha-terpineol
Ankaflavin
Aga
Ambergris
Angelica
acacia
Asparagus racemosus
Apigenin
Amino Acid Chelate
Auricularia
Anamu
Albizia julibrissin
Almond
Asoka Tree
Albizia
Antirrhinin
Aconite
Ajuga
Algae (unspecified)
Almond Oil
Ashitaba
Albizia (unspecified)
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Anemone
Asam gelugor
Apricot
Active Amines
Anthocyanin
Apigenin
Algae
Alpha lactalbumin
Amino Acid (unspecified)
American Ginseng
Axocopaque
anthocyanidins
Avian (unspecified)
African Basil
Agrimonia pilosa
Apocynum venetum
Acetoglyceride
Allyl Sulfide
Alpha-pinene
Aminobutyric acid (unspecified)
Arecoline Hydrobromide
Acemannan
Alpha Glucans
Apple
Atractylodes
alkaloid
Anise
Avian (unspecified)
Antioxidant (unspecified)
Ananain
Argan nut oil
Ant
Arani
Assam Indigo
Atlantic Cedar
Australian Sandalwood
Astragalin
Atractylone
beta-carotene
Betony
Belladonna
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium longum
Baker's Yeast
Bee Pollen
Baikal Skullcap
Blue Flag
Bengal Fig
Bee Pollen
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bai Ji
Blackthorn
Brandy
Blepharis
Boswellia serrata
Balsam
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Beef liver
Bovine (unspecified)
Barleria
Big Quaking Grass
Billygoat plum
Blueberry (unspecified)
Blue-Green Algae
Beta-pinene
Butter
Blend (Non-Nutrient/Non-Botanical)
Black Tea
Bergamot Oil
Basidiomycota
Birch (unspecified)
Boswellia
Blue Wiss
Blue-Green Algae
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Barbed Skullcap
Bear Garlic
Bacosides (mixed)
Brahmi
Blackberry
Brown Rice
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa (unspecified)
Bioflavonoids
Brown's Lily
Benzoin siam
Beadlets
Brewer's Yeast
Black Seed Oil
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Beta Hydroxybutyrate
Blue-Green Alage
Branched-Chain Amino Acids
Birch
Black root
Bamboo
Bruteridine
Bauhinia Variegata
Bovine (not specified)
Bupleurum
Branched Chain Amino Acids
Bacosides
Blue Vervain
Bovine (unspecified)
Bacopasides
Bupleurum (unspecified)
Bassia scoparia
Bacopasaponin (unspecified)
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Bacopa glycoside (unspecified)
Biogenic amine
Cinnamon
cucumber
Camellia sinensis
Centella triterpenes
cherry (unspecified)
Chinese Silkvine
Coffee
Clary sage
Cannabis
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cinnamon (unspecified)
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
Colloid
Codonopsis
Cnidium
caffeoylquinic acids
Citrus sinensis
Cactus
Cynomorium
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Citron
Chinese Agarwood
Carry Me Seed
Cannabinoids
Chinese Mallow
Cannabinol
Cockroach
California Spikenard
Chokecherry
Commiphora (unspecified)
Castor
Calcium
Cannabigerolic acid
Chicken embryo protein
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
California Poppy
Cabbage palm (not specifed)
Chinese Dodder
Creatine
Centidepa (unspecified)
Condonopsis
California Peony
Capitate Valerian
Cassia (unspecified)
Cereal (unspecified)
Chinese orchid
Chinese peony
Chinese Tinospora
Chrysanthemum (unspecified)
Cinnamomum burmanii
Corktree
Corn Poppy
Chalcone
Cupric ascorbate
Carbohydrate (mixed)
Carbohydrate (unspecified)
Chinese Club Moss
Chamomile (not specified)
Catnip
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Carrot oil
Convolvulus prostratis
Caffeine
Calamus
Citrus nobilis
Cherimoya
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Carotene (unspecified)
Cynanchum otophyllum
Copper Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Chloroplast
Citrus reticulata
Chamomile
Chinese Pine
Cosmos
Corydalis
Chromium nitrate
Chamomile (unspecified)
Carbohydrate
Castor Oil
Carthamus
Chicken
Canadian Goldenrod
Clam
cola nut
Clerodendrum indicum
Chinese Cabbage
Crioceras
Cannabidiolic acid
Caratuberside
Chondrus
DIVI-DIVI
DHEA
Dendrobium fimbriatum
Dioscorea oppositifolia
Dendroxine
D-Pinitol
Dragonhead
Dogwood (unspecified)
David's Milkberry
Didymocarpus pedicellata
Doxylamine succinate
Damask rose
Dendramine
Dipeptide
Epidermal Growth Factor
Ellagic Acid
European Elder
English Chamomile
Echinacea (unspecified)
Earthworm
Erodium cicutarium
Exphedrine HCl
Emulsion
Evodia
Embelia ribes
English Lavender
Endorphin (unspecified)
Elk antler
Egyptian lotus
Echinacea
Earthworm
Egg
Ester derivatives (unspecified)
Enzyme Blend
European Vervain
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European peony
Elephant's Head
Embelia
European Golden Rod
Esein
Elastase
Fenuside
Flavanol (mixture)
Flueggea?suffruticosa
Fuchsia
Fomes fomentarius
Frankinsense
Flat-stem milk-vetch
Ficus religiosa
Flosin B
Fragrance
Fenugreek fiber
Ficus simplicissima
Flesh-Finger Citron
fibroblast growth factors
Flavones (various)
Fish
Fringed Pink
Fish Oil
Frankincense
Flavonones
Fructo-Oligosaccharides
Fritillary (unspecified)
Fish (including shell)
Flavonones (unspecified)
Goldthread
Ginkgo Flavonglycosides
Gelsemium
Gelcap
Ginseng, Oriental
Gastrodia
Geraniol
Gallbladder
Glutamine
German Chamomile
Griffonia
Gotu Kola
Ginseng
Glandular Tissues
Gland (mixed)
GABA
Giant Blazingstar
Grain (unspecified)
Glycoprotein isolate
Green tea antioxidant (unspecified)
Gamma amino beta-hydroxybutyric acid
Glycine
Gardenia jasminoides
Ginseng (unspecified)
Glycine
Ginseng, Panax
Gooseberry
Henbane
Honeysuckle
Honeybush (unspecified)
Horn
Horn
Heartsease
Hyacinth (unspecified)
Houttynia
Hygrophila
Himalayan Fir
Homalomena
Hops
Hellebore (unspecified)
Honey loquat syrup
Honeydew
Holy Basil
Hydrogen
Humic acid
Hempnettle
Hericium mushroom
Hemp oil
Honeybush
Irish Moss
Indian catnip
iridoids
Inositol
Iridoid glycosides
Indian snakeroot
Indian Cassia
Indian Gooseberry
Indian Frankincense
Isovitexin
Indian Valerian
Indole alkaloid (unspecified)
Indian Chrysanthemum
Inositol phosphate
Japanese Apricot
Japanese Elder
Jiaogulan
Javanese Turmeric
Japanese Mint
Jujube seeds
jasmine
Juniper
Jamaican Dogwood
Jamacian Dogwood
Jatoba
Jujubosides
Jatamansi
Jujube
Kavalactone
Korean Angelica
Kavalactones
Kratom
Kukicha
Kiwi
Ketone
Kava kava
Korean Pine
Lycium
Loquat
lemon balm
L-Tryptophan
Lindera aggregata
Lettuce (unspecified)
Lactucarium
Lady of the Night
Ledebouriella (unspecified)
Lesser speargrass
Lilium polyphyllum
Linden
lettuce
L-Methionine
Lemon mint (unspecified)
Longan
Lindera (unspecified)
Lavandin
L-Taurine
Lotus (unspecified)
Lentein
lemon Verbena
Lotus
Lavender
L-Histidine
Lycopodium (unspecified)
Labrador Tea
Large-Leaved Linden
Lily
Little ironweed
Lupulinum
Lactoglobulin (mixed)
Luo Han Guo
Lactalbumin
Lactobacillus salivarius
Loranthus
Linalool
Lactobacillus (unspepcified)
Labdanum
Motherwort
Masson Pine
Mesua
Mum
Missouri Snakeroot
Myrcene
Marjoram
Mallow
Magnesium Malate
Magnesium ascorbate
Macadamia Oil
Morinda
Mandarin
Marine Protein
Moroccan oregano
Magnesium borate
Melatonin
Magnesiium
Mushrooms
Mace
Milk
maritime Pine
Marshmallow
Mountain mahogany
Marshmallow
Magnesium Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Milk Protein
Matapalo Tree
Mangostin
Mimosa
Magnolia
Melatonin
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Magnesium
Magnesium tartrate
Marine fat
Morning Glory
Magnesium Stearate
mandarin orange
Magnesium Citrate
Magnolol
Magnesium Taurinate
Magnesium Octanoate
Mulungu
Mammary
Mexican valerian
Magnesium citrate malate
Magnesium citrate laurate
Magnesium stearate
Macaranga indica
Notopterygium
Niacinamide ascorbate
Nardostachys
Naphthoquinones
Night jessamine
Nicotinamide
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
Night-Blooming Cereus
Naphthoquinone (unspecified)
Niacin ascorbate
Noni fiber
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum
Oligopeptide (unspecified)
Oats
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
Orris
Oligosaccharides
Orange essential oil
Onosma bracteatum
Orchid
Osmanthus
Ox
Oxindole alkaloids
Orchid tree (unspecified)
Osthole
Omega-3
phenyl alkyl ketones
Phellodendron
Poria Mushrooms
pyridoxine-alpha-ketoglutarate (PAK)
Proprietary Blend (Amino Acid/Protein)
Proprietary Blend (Fatty Acid or Fat/Oil supplement)
Purslane
Picamilon
Premna
P. nigraclens (unspecified)
Peach
Palmyra
Phytoplankton
Plankton (unspecified)
perilla
Polysaccharides
Pagoda Tree
Pulsatilla
Panax Ginseng
Peony
Patchouly
Procaine
Pineal Gland
Praying mantis
Passiflora (unspecified)
Panax Pseudoginseng
Pimpinella (unspecified)
Polygonatum (unspecified)
Prunus (unspecified)
Phlorotannins
Proanthocyanidins
Plant oil (unspecified)
Poria mushroom
Protein (vegetable)
Passionflower
Polypodium
Peptide
Pine
Pollen
Phthalide
Porcine (unspecified)
Phthalides
Palm-Leaf Raspberry
Pearl
Pituitary Gland
Provence Rose
portulaca
Prickly Ash (Unspecified)
Passionfruit
Pineapple
Polygonatum
Pimpinella
Persimmon
Protein (unspecified)
Phenibut
Panax Notoginseng
Paeoniflorin
Poppy
Porcine (unspecified)
Parsley
Polygonatum cirrhifolium
Phytocannabinoid (unspecified)
Pyridoxal alpha-ketoglutarate
Pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate
Pregnenolone
pyridoxine-alpha-ketoglutarate (PAK)
peanut
Pycnogenol
Patchouly Oil
Placenta
Phospholipids (unspecified)
Polygonum (unspecified)
Prickly Chaff Flower
Pine (unspecified)
Polygala
Pearl
Pig
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Phenols (unspecified)
Polyphenols (mixed)
Polyphenols (npt specified)
Phodymprhenia pertusa
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
Quercetin
Quassia
Quisqualis
Rhemannia
Rue
Red-Rooted Sage
Rubus (unspecified)
Roe
Raspberry (various)
Rugose Rose
Rosabin
Rose geranium oil
Reishi mushroom
Rauvolfia canescens
Roman Chamomile
Rauvolfia (unspecified)
Rauvolfia yunnanensis
Reginin A
Rosemary antioxidant S-32
Reishi mushroom
Rosmarinic Acid
Rasperries (mixed)
Rubiaceae (unspecified)
Red Raspberry
Rose
Rooibos
Reishi
Red Sage
Rose water
Sichuan Pagoda Tree
Silkmoth
Speedwell
Spanish Needle
Snail
Scoparia dulcis
Salicylate (unspecified)
Shark Liver Oil
Sumbul
Self-Heal
Spirulina
Sweet Annie
Spikenard
Scleranthus annus
Skullcap
Safranal
Squawvine
Skim Milk
Salvia (unspecified)
Sensitive Plant
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Safflower
Southernwood
Syrup
Syrup (unspecified)
Sweet Almond
Salt (Himalayan)
Sweet Marjoram
Sarivan
Shankhpushpi
Saffron
sage oil
Sagebrush
Semiaquilegia
Spantholobus
Sour Cherry
Shiitake
SOD (Superoxide Dismutase, antioxidant activity)
Somatropin
Sesame Oil
Sweet Woodruff
Sea Buckthorn
Superoxide Dismutase
Sphaeranthus indicus
Seaweed (unspecified)
Schisandrins
San-Qi Ginseng
Silk Tree
Sandalwood
Squash
Skullcap (unspecified)
Surfactant
Summer Savory
Semecarpus anacardium
Semen
Stem Cells
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Sugarcane
Sumac
Sesame Oil
Suspension matrix
Spinach
Sweet Bay
Stone Root
Sesbania grandiflora
Scurfy Pea
Schisandra
Servicetree
Sword Bean
Saffranal
Sedanenolide
Sulfate (unspecified)
Sulfur compounds (unspecified)
Sweet Orange alcohol
Terminalia
Thyme
Terpene Lactone (unspecified)
Tryptophan
Tumerone
Thyroid
triglyceride
Torula Yeast
Tree Peony
Takuna
Turtle Head
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Tinospora Cordifolia
Theanine
Tea Polyphenol
tripeptide (unspecified)
Teri Pod
Tagara
Taurine
Tetrahydropalmatine
Unsaturated Fat
Uncaria sinensis
Vitamin B12
Vetiver
Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin)
Valerenic acid
Vitamin E (unspecified)
Vervain
Vitamin A (retinol acetate)
Valerenic acid derivatives
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin selenite)
Vitamin B5 (Calcium Pantethine)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5 phosphate)
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocomonoenol)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Vitamin B5 (calcium pantothenate)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol succinate)
Vitamin B6 (Mixed)
Vitamin B5 (unspecified)
Vitamin B5 (mixed)
Vitamin E (alpha tocopheryl)
Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide)
Valerian
Vitamin E (delta tocopherol)
Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol)
Vitamin C (not specified)
Vegetarian Capsule
Vitamin E (mixied tocopherols and tocotrienols)
Vitamin E (unspecified tocopheryl acetate)
Verbena
Vitamin A (not specified)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl)
Vitamin B3 (unspecified)
Vitamin A (retinyl acetate)
Vitamin A (mixed)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols/tocotrienols)
Vitamin D
valeric acid
Vitamin D (cholecalciferol)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5-phosphate)
Vitamin D (unspecified)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
Vitamin E (gamma unspecified)
Velvet
Vitricin
Vitamin E (alpha tocopheryl succinate)
Vitamin E (delta-tocopherol)
Withanolides
Water Lily (unspecified)
Whey
White Tea
Wax Gourd
White Lily
White Sage
White Peony
Wild carrot
White Sandalwood
Withanolide
Western Mugwort
White Nettle
Wild Thyme
Wine
Wild Lettuce
Wood Betony
Wild Mint
Wool
walnut
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Yeast (unspecified)
Yuzu
Ylang ylang Oil
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Ylang ylang
Yam (unspecified)
Yeast
Zinc Picolinate
Zinc osporotate
Zinc alpha-ketoglutarate
Zinc magnesium aspartate