No sleepy meds for this girl!

I have had trouble sleeping for a very long time! My mind races and I can't stop thinking. Thinking about this and that and then all of a sudden it's 3a.m.! I normally play my DSi or play games on my iPad. I had tried sleeping pills such as: Seraquil, Zzquil and Advil P.M. But I don't like how they can be habit forming. And that Seraquil knocked me out for 2 days! YES 2 DAYS! So my therapist recommended some herbal drops. Bach White Chestnut and Valerian Root. They are a bit pricey, but they last a long time! I believe it was around $30 for both bottles. The valerian root is a bit stinky, but you get used to it. The valerian root is 100% gluten free. Here is the recipe for the cocktail (given to me by my therapist):

Bach White Chestnut
5 drops in 2oz of water / sip slowly

Valerian Root (liquid)
1 dropper full in 4oz of warm water / sip slowly

Valerian Root: Valerian may be indicated for the relief of insomnia, stress-related anxiety, and nervous restlessness. It may also be used to ease stomach and menstrual cramps, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), some of the restlessness that accompanies attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and migraine symptoms. And, more rarely, it may be used to treat convulsions from a seizure disorder. In its most well-documented use, however, it is used as a calmant to help people sleep.

Safety, Side Effects and Warnings:

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) gives valerian a class 1 safety rating, indicating that it is a safe herb with a wide dosage range.

Some people, however, experience adverse reactions to valerian. Rather than feeling the calming or sleep-inducing effects, they suddenly feel nervous, anxious and restless after taking the herb and may experience heart palpitations.

*Taken from Insight Journal

White Chestnut: is the remedy for unwanted thoughts and mental arguments that intrude into the mind and stop us concentrating.

*Taken from The Bach Centre

Although I do this little cocktail nightly I thought I would try something new. I found Celestial Seasoning Honey Vanilla Chamomile tea at Walmart for around $2.50. I added 6 drops of Bach White Chestnut to the tea and a packet of Sweet and Low. Within an hour I couldn't keep my eyes open! I was so tired!! D and I were going to buy a movie from Cox on Demand and I said no because I was so tired. I haven't felt that tired in a long time! I slept so good that night, heck I didn't want to wake up. I didn't feel groggy the next day, like you do when you take prescription or over the counter drugs.

I would recommend trying these few herbal remedies before going for the habit forming ones.