Research:

Valerian Root:

• This herb has a long history of being used for as an herbal health supplement.

• Valerian Root was used by Greek Physicians like Dioscordes and Galen.  It was apparent to them that Valerian Root had many health benefits.

• The most common historical use for Valerian was to support a healthy nervous system. There are current studies that are testing the efficacy of Valerian Root.

• As early as  the 16th century Valerian was recognized as an herb with great potential for supporting healthy nervous systems and assisting with moods.

• Most studies seem to indcate that Valerian has two active componants that contribute to its effectiveness.

• First is valerenic acid and its derivatives.

• And second are the iridoids, which include the valepotriates. Valepotriates and their derivatives.

• Both of these seem to interact and support the nervous system.

• A possible mechanism by which Valerian Root effects the nervous system by being a precursor of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter). GABA is released into the cerebellum and becomes available in the synaptic cleft. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Studies are still needed to prove or disprove this theory.
  
  

St John's Wort:

• St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), a plant that grows in the wild, has been used for centuries. It’s widely used by health care professionals in Europe.

• The possible mechanism that causes St John's Wort to be a note worthy herbal supplement is a rare combination of active compounds that may prevent or delay the re-uptake of the hormones serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.

• St. John's Wort's two main active compounds that are responsible for the re-uptake of seritonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They are hypericin and pseudohypericin. Both active compounds in St. John's wort that have been determined to be very effective for promoting healthy nervous system function.

• Hypercin is not the only active compound in St. John's Wort. Recent information suggests other compounds called hyperforin and adhyperforin may also play a role in St John's Wort's popularity. It is believed that hyperforin and adhyperforin act on chemical messengers in the nervous system that regulate mood.
  
  

Hops:

• Hops contain a flavonoid compound, xanthohumol, that has many health related benefits.

• Hops contain compounds that may have relaxing effects.

• The flavonoids xanthohumol and 8-prenylnaringenin and the essential oils humulene and lupuline are the main active compounds.

• These compounds may be beneficial in promoting healthy relaxation and sleep.

• Hops have been used historically to promote sleep, often in combination with the herb valerian. 

Skullcap:

• Historically Skullcap was the go to herb for temporary bouts with nervousness or anxiety. As one excerpt from an old herbal "encyclopedia" puts it, “Skullcap is one of the finest nervines and antispasmodics given to humanity. It should be on every physician’s shelf”.

• According to Penn State Medical Center. "For around two centuries, it was said that American skullcap was widely used as a mild relaxant...".

• Skullcap has historical roots as a nervine. 

• Nervines are types of herbs intended to nourish and support the central nervous system. They may restore balance and restfulness in the body.

• Skullcap may provide significant antioxidant effects, which could make it a great option for reducing anxiety.

• Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body. It is believed by many researchers that oxidative stress affects some brain-related activities, such as anxiety. Further research indicates that bioactive compounds (antioxidants) found in plants, such as skullcap, may neutralize and even eliminate some toxic free radicals. When this occurs, oxidative stress may be greatly reduced.

The information above is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect or relate to the performance or purpose of any products that contain similar materials.

* "Herbal supplements are not drugs. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."*

Help Me Choose: 

Health Information:

Some things to consider when getting a good night's sleep becomes an issue.

1. Do you wake up multiple times during the night?
2. Do you wake up earlier than you should without being able to fall back to sleep?
3. Do you wake up feeling un-refreshed or un-rested?

In a 2005 Poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that more than half of everyone surveyed answered yes to at least one of those questions.

Another Poll that the National Sleep Foundation conducted found that a bigger percentage of women answered yes to having sleep issues than men, (63% vs. 54% respectively).

There are a number of other reasons that people don't/ can't fall asleep or stay asleep all night. Some are related to environmental issues. Environmental issues are issues related to stress at work and home/ family life stress.

Sleep can be illusive. Pain, stress and a myriad of other contributors can be at the root of those long nights. It is best to assess what may be the cause of your long restless nights and determine what will work best to get you back to healthy peaceful sleep.
It is our advice to consider the basics of many of today's health issues. "What are those?" you ask. Diet, exercise and self-inflection.
Does your diet contain foods that are upsetting or drinks that have too much caffeine? Do you eat late at night just before trying to go to sleep?
Are you exercising enough to release those all-important endorphins? Examining questions and lifestyle choices like these may assist you in getting the sleep you so desperately need.

Here's to hoping that you get back to happy, healthy peaceful deep sleep.  

Environmental Causes:

Most adults who have trouble sleeping feel worried or nervous. This is usually because of an environmental issue. Stress at work, worrying about a family member or someone significant in your life, financial issues and general anxiety are all part of the environment that we live in. Even a disrupted sleep pattern that interferes on a regular basis can be a cause a lot of anxiety and more difficulties with restful sleep.
Symptoms that can lead to difficulties with restful sleep are:

• Tension

• Getting caught up in thoughts about past events.

• Excessive worrying about future events.

• Feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities.

• A general feeling of being over stimulated.

• Dealing with hard financial issues.

• Issues at work or school with co-workers, other students or teachers/ professors.

And every other serious complication that STRESSES YOU OUT!

Good Practices for a Good Night's Sleep

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.

• It’s important if you suffer from insomnia to establish a pattern. You could consider this a way to train your body to sleep and wake at a consistent time and thereby help with some insomnia.

• Eliminate alcohol and stimulants like nicotine and caffeine.

• This is not just a cliché. The effects of caffeine can last up to 24 hours. The effects of caffeine can make it difficult initiating sleep and staying asleep during the night.

• Alcohol may have a sedative effect for the first few hours following consumption, after it is metabolized, it can lead to frequent arousals. Alcohol is definitely a catalyst in a non-restful night's sleep.

• Limit naps. While napping seems like a proper way to catch up on missed sleep, it is not always so.

• It is important to establish that sleep pattern mentioned earlier in the article. Napping interrupts any sort of consistent sleep pattern which in turn can affect the quality of nighttime sleep.

• Exercise regularly.

• Regular exercise can improve sleep quality and duration. Try to avoid exercising immediately before bedtime. Once a person gets all worked up it takes a little time to calm back down. Try to finish exercising at least three hours before you plan to retire for the night to allow plenty of time to get settled.

• Limit activities in bed.

• The bed is for sleeping and intimacy. Try to keep activities like balancing the checkbook, studying, or making phone calls out of the bed. All these activities can increase alertness and make it difficult to fall asleep whereas avoiding them helps create a separation between daily activities and sleeping.

• Make your sleeping environment comfortable.

• Temperature, lighting, and noise should be controlled to make the bedroom conducive to falling (and staying) asleep. Your bed should feel comfortable and if you have a pet that sleeps in the room with you, consider having the pet sleep somewhere else if it tends to make noise in the night.

• Get all your worrying over with before you go to bed.

• If you find you lay in bed thinking about tomorrow, consider setting aside a period of time -- perhaps after dinner -- to review the day and to make plans for the next day. The goal is to avoid doing these things while trying to fall asleep. It is also useful to make a list of, say, work-related tasks for the next day before leaving work. That, at least, eliminates one set of concerns.

We live in a civilization that is fast paced and stressful. Late nights, stimulants and our current environment all make it hard to get a good night's sleep.

It is estimated that one in three American adults have trouble sleeping. So, you're not alone!

There are natural ways to help yourself get a good night’s sleep;

• No sugary drinks within two hours before trying to sleep.

• No stimulants like caffeine four to five hours before trying to sleep. 

• Exercise in the late afternoon or early evening.

• Exercise triggers an increase in body temperature, and the post-exercise drop in temperature may promote falling asleep.

• Exercise also aids in relieving the day's stress and tension which helps with a good night's sleep.

• Not eating a heavy meal too late at night.

The information above is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect or relate to the performance or purpose of any products on this website.

* "Herbal supplements are not drugs. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."*

Ingredients:

Hops (flower), Valerian (root), Blue Vervain (herb), Skullcap (herb), St John's Wort (herb), Black Cohosh (root), Lady's Slipper (root), Lily of the Valley (herb), Bladder Pod (herb), Mistletoe (herb), Spearmint (leaf)

Instructions:

Take 2 to 4 capsules 1 hour before bedtime. You may use more if needed.

What’s Included:

1 Bottle of Grandma's Herbs NIGHT NERVINE

• 100 Capsules 

Features:

This Supplement is full of herbs in the NERVINE category. Herbalists have traditionally used Nervines to calm and soothe nerves.

• Natural Herbal Remedy that calms and soothes for better nights.

• Night Nervine promotes a healthy nervous system and may aid in calming nerves so as to promote a more restful sleep.

• Non habit-forming.

The information above is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect or relate to the performance or purpose of any products that contain similar materials.

* "Herbal supplements are not drugs. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."*