Homeopathy vol.4

Sleep problems and insomnia

If you’ve experienced it, there’s nothing more scary than sleeplessness. It’s dark outside, you’re tired and it’s time for bed, but you know that as soon as you try to get some sleep, the nightmare begins of another session of a lonely sleepless night. This month we will look at remedies which can help you get that sleep back by looking at different types of insomnia and its causes. There are different types of sleep problems with many different causes and reasons whether chronic or not. I will try to list some of these so that you may begin to understand where your weakness lies. It may be a combination of all the following or just the one; whatever the case try and determine and understand why you may not be sleeping well.

THE MIND

If you are the type to lie in bed with your mind going round and round with thoughts, try and determine whether these thoughts are random thoughts, specific thoughts and/or anxiety and worries. It doesn’t always have to be bad or stressful thoughts, it can also be exciting ones.

THE BODY

Your sleep problems may be due to physical symptoms such as pain or itching, body temperature or perspiration. If there are any, it would be good to focus on the physical symptoms that are preventing you from getting a good nights rest.

BODY CLOCK

Maybe you fall asleep fine but you keep waking up, or you wake up startled and/or you can’t get back to sleep. Or you’re tired all day but can’t sleep at night. Perhaps you are keeping different hours from normal, for example, you work shift hours and your body clock is out of sync. People who work at night time, including mothers who are nursing, when you are up when you should or would rather be sleeping, can develop symptoms of sleeplessness.

There are many different reasons why your body is unable to rest when it ought to, but before you turn to addictive sleeping pills you can try some homeopathic ones that are not addictive or habit forming. So here are some remedies to help you sleep like a log.

COFFEA CRUDA

Mental excitement and nervous stimulation that keep a person from sleeping are a key note to this remedy. Thoughts preventing sleep can be happy or distressing. The person may be looking forward to something that will happen in the morning, but feels stressed and exhausted as the night wears on. If the person falls asleep, it is usually very light with vivid dreams, and disturbed by any little noise or motion.

KALI PHOSPHORICUM

A person with insomnia from nervous exhaustion caused by overwork or mental strain, or following a taxing illness, may respond well to this remedy. The person is very weak and sensitive to everything (noise, lights, touch, and pain). Irritability, depression, and anxiety with an empty feeling in the stomach are common.

PHOSPHORIC ACID

This remedy will suit someone who is generally strong but has suffered a serious illness (recent or in the past) and cannot quite get back to their normal self. As well as physical stress, it can also be related to disappointment, emotional stress and grief. There is a clear case of physical apathy and mental exhaustion. Sleepy by day but sleepless at night.

PICRIC ACID

Similar to Phosphoric Acid but this remedy is especially suited for people who are worn out due to mental exhaustion from too much study and mental work. Again, sleepy in the day and sleepless at night.

COCCULUS INDICA

This remedy is often helpful to those who feel “too tired to sleep” after long-term sleep loss - from getting up with a baby, taking care of someone who is ill, a disruptive work schedule, travel and jet lag, or chronic worry and insomnia. The person may feel weak and dizzy, with trouble thinking, and may be sleepy, irritable, or tearful.

SULPHUR

Kept awake by a continuous flow of ideas. Vivid nightmares, disturbed sleep and feeling unrefreshed on waking. Heat of the bed causes discomfort, feet can also get hot under the covers. Some may experience itching of the skin, which will add to the restless sleep.

IGNATIA

If insomnia is caused by emotional upset (grief or loss, a disappointment in love, a shock, or even an argument) this remedy may be helpful. It is suited to sensitive and nervous types, who may often sigh and yawn in the daytime, but find it hard to relax at night. As the person tries to fall asleep, the arms and legs may twitch or itch. If sleep arrives, it is usually light, with jerking of the legs and arms, or long and troubling nightmares.

ARSENICUM ALBUM

Sleepy during the day but anxious at night. Restless in bed and also sensitive to the cold. They may lie in bed worrying about their health or financial matters, which keeps them up at night. People who need this remedy are often anxious and compulsive. Often deeply weary and exhausted, they feel restless physically and mentally. Sleep, when it arrives, can be anxious and disturbed.

AVENA SATIVA and PASSIFLORA as mentioned in February’s article will also help calm the adrenals and bring about peaceful sleep. Take at the lower strength of 6X three times a day for up to 4 weeks.

The above remedies can be taken at 6C or 30C strength (unless otherwise indicated). I would recommend taking 1 dose in the morning and 1dose at night time and continuing like this for up to 2 weeks or stopping with improvement. If there is no change to your symptoms before this time, then stop and try another remedy, or consult a homeopath who will take your case and prescribe a more appropriate remedy for you.

Written by Aiko Dinan

Aiko Dinan moved from Japan to the UK in 1983. She grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland, and moved to London in 1993 to study Modern Languages at the University College London, as well as Cologne University in Germany. After graduating she went on to study Homeopathy for further 4 years at the Centre for Homeopathic Education, during which time she also completed a 2 year apprenticeship with a master Homeopath. Aiko also has a longstanding commitment in working in some of the most respected Homeopathic pharmacies in the UK, where she assists in making remedies as well as fulfilling the role as the in-house Homeopath.

Aiko is a member of The Alliance of Registered Homeopaths.