“Do but consider what an excellent thing sleep is…that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together. Who complains of want? of wounds? of cares? of great men’s oppressions? of captivity? whilst he sleepeth? Beggars in their beds take as much pleasure kings” ~ Thomas Dekker ~
Many of us have felt both the blissful slumber of a deep and refreshing night’s sleep, as well as the incredible discomfort of sleep loss and deprivation. When we do not have deep sleep we can feel cut off from ourselves, from our loved ones, from the world around us. Existence becomes difficult. Our cognitive functions become cloudy, our bodies hurt more, our pain tolerance decreases and any health conditions we may live with become more pronounced. Mood swings, irritability and tearfulness may abound.
There is no doubt about it. Sleep quality has an enormous impact on our health and quality of life.
Sleep is one of the most essential pillars of good health, yet many Australians struggle to get enough of it. Studies suggest that up to 40% of Australians experience inadequate sleep, and its impact extends far beyond simply feeling tired. During sleep, the body repairs itself, the brain processes information, and hormones regulate key bodily functions. When sleep is compromised, so too is our health, and our outlook on life.
Homeopathy and Sleep Disturbances
Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine that treats the individual rather than just the symptom. By addressing the root cause of sleep disturbances—whether it be stress, anxiety, overstimulation, or hormonal imbalances—homeopathic remedies may help restore a natural and healthy sleep cycle.
Homeopathic medicines are made under laboratory conditions, in a very specific and unique way. Owing to this process in which they are diluted and succussed repetitiously, they are unlikely to cause grogginess or dependency. The goal is to stimulate the body to correct the sleep imbalance for itself.
The key is to select a homeopathic medicine which is most similar to your (or your child’s) own unique experience.
Habit and lifestyle
In addition to having some homeopathic medicines on hand for those sleepless nights, general sleep hygiene is really important and can help to support your overall sleep patterns:
- Increase day time physical activity – regular exercise helps support sleep duration, deep sleep and falling asleep more easily.
- Ensure adequate sunlight exposure – this supports the circadian rhythm and increases serotonin (waking hormone) production which is the precursor to melotonin (sleep hormone).
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule – Going to bed and waking up at the same time daily helps regulate your body’s internal clock. Remember the deepest sleep typically happens before midnight. Going to bed well before then helps us wake up more refreshed!
- Reduce screen time before bed – Blue light from devices can disrupt melatonin production. Use a blue light filter on your devices if need be, and install warm lighting in your home.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol intake – Both can interfere with sleep quality.
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine – Reading, meditation, or gentle stretching can help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.
- Ensure a comfortable sleep environment – A dark, quiet, and cool room can enhance sleep quality.
- Ensure adequate diet – a diet replete in protein, particularly the essential amino acid tryptophan, and the micronutrients required for it’s conversion, will enhance the production of melotonin.
Homeopathic medicines
However, what do we do when we’re in bed, it’s past midnight, we’ve got a full schedule in the morning, and we’re still tossing and turning? The following homeopathic medicines may be of use to you when sleep just isn’t coming.
Take three pillules of your selected homeopathic medicine every 15 minutes (for a maximum of four doses) until you fall asleep. If you wake up, take another dose.
- Aconite sleeplessness from anxiety, shock, fear or panic attacks. There may be nightmares upon closing the eyes which frighten and awaken.
- Arsenicum album – Sleeplessness with lots of tossing and turning, anxiety and restlessness. The anxiety can be so intense the person gets out of bed and paces back and forth in apprehension and anguish. Teeth grinding may accompany the sleeplessness along with a fear of being left alone, or fears of ghosts or intruders.
- Coffea cruda – Sleeplessness from an overactive mind. Too much excitement and positive anticipation. Kids the night before an exciting day (eg/ Christmas eve). Sleeplessness from whirling thoughts and over active imagination; too much coffee during the day; high sensitivity to sound, light and emotions. General restlessness of mind and body
- Ignatia – Sleeplessness from grief or deep emotional loss, unrequited love. Palpitations may accompany this emotional state. A “heavy heart” with yawning and sighing. Fear of intruders. Limbs jerk on falling asleep which wakes them up.
- Nux vomica – Sleeplessness from over use of alcohol, coffee, tea, and/or tobacco. Wakes at 3-4am and cannot return to sleep. Sensitivity to light and sounds with agitation, irritability or anxiety. Restlessness and overthinking, particularly about work and business affairs.
- Sepia – Sleeplessness from female hormonal changes, before or during menstruation, at menarche or menopause. Sleep difficulties from hot flashes and/or night sweats with anger and irritability. Generally wants to be left alone and feels disconnected from loved ones and family members. Sleepless but exhausted, overworked, apathetic, sad and angry.
There are thousands and thousands of medicines in the homeopathic materia medica, and many of them have the ability to help with sleep symptoms when the remedy is adequately individualised.
You may benefit from a more in depth approach if there are underlying health conditions which are impacting your sleep (for example, chronic pain, endocrine conditions etc.), you are experiencing chronic sleep loss or insomnia, or if symptoms persist. Sometimes psychological and emotional patterns can disturb our sleep, such as depression, anxiety, trauma and/or PTSD, and require guidance of a professional homeopath.
Please reach out to the clinic, or myself directly, if you have any questions at all about how homeopathy might be able to help you in achieving deeper, more sustainable sleeping patterns.
Carli currently practices at Ranges Integrative Health on Fridays. Bookings can be made by contacting Carli directly via the details on her page.
