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People who are regularly kept awake at
night, plagued by thoughts of work deadlines, relationship
problems or other stressful life events might find relief
in the herbs kava and valerian.
When given individually, these
herbs reduced stress levels and insomnia with only minor side
effects, which included vivid dreams and dizziness,
in a recent study.
Twenty-four adults suffering from stress-induced
insomnia received 120 mg daily of kava for 6 weeks. After
2 weeks off treatment, the remaining group of 19 individuals
(five had dropped out of the study) received 600 mg of valerian
daily for another 6 weeks. On average, the participants had
suffered from insomnia for more than 15
years.
Researchers interviewed study participants
and measured levels of stress associated with social, personal
and life events before and after treatment. Social stress
included problems at work and with social contacts, personal
stress involved emotional problems and relationships with
other people, and life-events stress involved specific events.
With each treatment, 58% reported no
side effects. But 16% said they had vivid dreams after taking
valerian and 12% said they experienced dizziness with kava.
Participants reported that both herbs
significantly relieved
overall stress and insomnia. The study showed
that kava and valerian were effective at relieving stress
itself and insomnia caused by stress.
Phytotherapy
Research September 2001;15:549-551
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