Relaxing Sleep Tonic
by David Bunting

Relaxing Sleep Tonic is a gentle but effective herbal sedative, nervine and sleep tonic. This compound is soothing and quieting to the nervous system without any narcotic effect. It is ideal in excited nervous states, agitation, nervous headache and insomnia. It’s usefulness in sleep extends to shortening the time to fall asleep, curbing restless sleep and waking feeling well rested.

Herbs found in this compound are:

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) fresh rhizome & roots that are certified organically grown. Valerian is a mild sedative, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and sleep-enhancing herb. It has a very long traditional use as a nervine or nerve tonic. Valerian was well known to the Greeks and Romans and the "wild nard" described by Dioscorides and Pliny is considered to be a species of Valerian. While many consider the odor of Valerian to be quite disagreeable, it was consumed in broths and eaten as a potherb in medieval England. It was worn as a perfume in 16th century Europe and later employed as a perfume ingredient in the U.S. During WWII, Londoners took Valerian to calm their nerves during the nightly bombing raids. Pharmacopeias of many countries still include Valerian; and it is the subject of a positive German Commission E monograph for difficulty in falling asleep due to nervousness. Valerian was an official medicine in the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) from 1820 until 1940. More recently, a U.S. Valerian monograph has been approved and Valerian is once again an official herb in the National Formulary.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata & P. edulis) shade dried flowering tips, certified organically grown. The genus Passiflora produces some of the most showy and exotic looking flowers of the temperate zone. The flowers have been attributed with a visual similarity to the Biblical crown of thorns, and numerical associations are made between its flower parts and the Passion of Christ. This association is the source of the name "Passionflower." Passionflower is sedative, antispasmodic, and, in the best sense of the word, tranquilizing. The extract is effective in treating disturbed sleep patterns due to worry and excited nervous states. Additionally, Passionflower is effective in allaying anxiety, irritability and tension. For many, this is a preferred nervine herb.

Hops (Humulus lupulus) shade-dried strobiles (cone-like fruiting structures) that are certified organically grown. Hops are a mild sedative useful in treating nervous agitation, restlessness, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Hops are specific in mild insomnia caused by worry or anxiety. This is another herb with a long history of use in Europe. Hops gardens existed in France and Germany in the 8th and 9th centuries. It is said that William the Conqueror set land aside for Hops cultivation in England in 1069. The most visible and well-known aspect of its historical use is as a flavoring agent and preservative in the brewing of beer, a practice that continues today. Hops were official in the USP from 1820 until 1950.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) fresh flowers, certified organically grown. Chamomile is an old-time garden and herbal favorite. It has found its way into numerous internal and external remedies as well as cosmetic preparations. Chamomile is renowned for its gentleness in treating children and the elderly and, for this reason, is sometimes under-rated as a therapeutic agent. This gentleness should not be read as impotence. Extract made from fresh flowers has a delightfully rich fragrance and taste that betrays the breadth and depth of its therapeutic activity. While Chamomile has a variety of uses, the most important thing it brings to this compound is its soothing, calmative effect. Chamomile has been considered a preventa-tive and excellent remedy for nightmares. Chamomile was an official herb in the USP from 1840 until 1920.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) fresh leaf & flowering tips, certified organically grown. Catnip is useful as a mild sedative and anti-spasmodic. It is used to alleviate nervousness, sleep-lessness, nervous headache and persistent crying. And yes, this is the same plant that drives cats wild. Interestingly, Valerian can have this same effect on felines. Catnip was official in the USP under the name "Cataria" from 1840 until 1880.

As a general sedative, use 30 to 40 drops of Relaxing Sleep Tonic, two to five times per day in a little water. For insomnia, take 15 to 30 drops in a little water 1 hour before bed, and another dose just before bed. This treatment should be continued as needed and may elicit a greater effect after two or three nights. It should be noted that this compound will not create a "drugged" effect and there is no residual sedative-type "hangover" the next day.