Question:

>I am interested in taking some herbs to help me sleep at night.  I have >done some research, and have found out that valerian, hops, passionflower, >and chamomile might help.   >My problem is that I do not know what the best way is to take these >herbs.  I would like to avoid buying commercial capsules, since they are >so expensive.  

You could just find a large health food store where the supplements are cheap.  I do not think that any of these should cost more than $8 per 100 capsules for brands like Now, Nature’s Herbs, or Nature’s Way. Otherwise, you can buy them in bulk and grind them to a powder yourself.  Figure that 1/4 teaspoon powder = 1 capsule for dosage.  Mix them with lemon and honey to mask the taste and eat.  Or, do what I do for taking bulk powders and vitamins with bad taste:  put them in a 1/4 teaspoon scoop and toss them to the back of your throat as you tilt your head back and chase with some juice. You might choke a bit on the powder until you get used to this, but after a while, you can get good at it.  "Throwing" it past your tongue will reduce the taste since it will not contact the taste buds. turf

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You say that 1/4 teaspoon = 1 capsule, but how many milligrams would that be? Joe :) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I am interested in taking some herbs to help me sleep at night.  I have >done some research, and have found out that valerian, hops, passionflower, >and chamomile might help.   >My problem is that I do not know what the best way is to take these >herbs.  I would like to avoid buying commercial capsules, since they are >so expensive.   >You could just find a large health food store where the supplements >are cheap.  I do not think that any of these should cost more than $8 >per 100 capsules for brands like Now, Nature’s Herbs, or Nature’s Way. >Otherwise, you can buy them in bulk and grind them to a powder >yourself.  Figure that 1/4 teaspoon powder = 1 capsule >for dosage.  Mix them with lemon and honey to mask the taste >and eat.  Or, do what I do for taking bulk powders and vitamins with >bad taste:  put them in a 1/4 teaspoon scoop and toss them to the back >of your throat as you tilt your head back and chase with some juice. >You might choke a bit on the powder until you get used to this, but >after a while, you can get good at it.  "Throwing" it past your tongue >will reduce the taste since it will not contact the taste buds. >turf

For the complete information, go to HEALTH & VITALITY ONLINE: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Neways_Success_Team

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I am interested in taking some herbs to help me sleep at night.  I have >done some research, and have found out that valerian, hops, passionflower, >and chamomile might help.   >My problem is that I do not know what the best way is to take these >herbs.  I would like to avoid buying commercial capsules, since they are >so expensive.   >You could just find a large health food store where the supplements >are cheap.  I do not think that any of these should cost more than $8 >per 100 capsules for brands like Now, Nature’s Herbs, or Nature’s Way. >Otherwise, you can buy them in bulk and grind them to a powder >yourself.  Figure that 1/4 teaspoon powder = 1 capsule >for dosage.  Mix them with lemon and honey to mask the taste >and eat.  Or, do what I do for taking bulk powders and vitamins with >bad taste:  put them in a 1/4 teaspoon scoop and toss them to the back >of your throat as you tilt your head back and chase with some juice. >You might choke a bit on the powder until you get used to this, but >after a while, you can get good at it.  "Throwing" it past your tongue >will reduce the taste since it will not contact the taste buds. >turf

i have used valerian for years as a ‘calmative’ and to help with insomnia – it is also excellent with ‘hyper’ dogs and horses. Take about a teaspoonful and steep in boiling water until cool.  Strain and drink – you can add a little lemon or vinegar (both of which help lower the pH beneficially) — nick westcott

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I am interested in taking some herbs to help me sleep at night.  I have >done some research, and have found out that valerian, hops, passionflower, >and chamomile might help.   >My problem is that I do not know what the best way is to take these >herbs.  I would like to avoid buying commercial capsules, since they are >so expensive.  I know that making teas is one possible way, but since this >will probably make me have to get up to use the bathroom in the night, I >would rather avoid teas. >Can anybody give me advice on how to take these herbs to help me sleep? >Can I just crush them to a powder and swallow them with a small amount of >water?  If I were to do this, how much should I take?  Are there any other >ways of using these herbs to help me sleep? >Thank you in advance for any replies! >Rebecca

You could also try putting a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow.  It smells delightful and will help you sleep.  Lavender is a very gentle essential oil, and can safely be used to help young children sleep, too. If you don’t have any local sources of essential oils, I found some mail-order sources after reading the alt.aromatherapy newsgroup. Pattie Fulton

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Hi all. I am interested in taking some herbs to help me sleep at night.  I have done some research, and have found out that valerian, hops, passionflower, and chamomile might help.   My problem is that I do not know what the best way is to take these herbs.  I would like to avoid buying commercial capsules, since they are so expensive.  I know that making teas is one possible way, but since this will probably make me have to get up to use the bathroom in the night, I would rather avoid teas. Can anybody give me advice on how to take these herbs to help me sleep? Can I just crush them to a powder and swallow them with a small amount of water?  If I were to do this, how much should I take?  Are there any other ways of using these herbs to help me sleep? Thank you in advance for any replies! Rebecca

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>Hi all. >I am interested in taking some herbs to help me sleep at night.  I have >done some research, and have found out that valerian, hops, passionflower, >and chamomile might help.   >My problem is that I do not know what the best way is to take these >herbs.  I would like to avoid buying commercial capsules, since they are >so expensive.

You could buy one of those capsule filling gadgets and some empty capsules and fill your own capsules with your own herbal blend. One of those inexpensive coffee grinders can be used to grind the herbs into a fine powder. —         "Hey! You got your razor in my wager!"

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Please keep in mind that valerian is addictive. It may be helpful on the odd occasion (or it may not), but it is addictive is used regularily. Another Thyme Renaissance Farm <http://mypage.direct.ca/t/thymetoo>

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>>I am interested in taking some herbs to help me sleep at night.  I have >done some research, and have found out that valerian, hops, passionflower, >and chamomile might help.   >My problem is that I do not know what the best way is to take these >herbs.  I would like to avoid buying commercial capsules, since they are >so expensive. >You could buy one of those capsule filling gadgets and some empty >capsules and fill your own capsules with your own herbal blend. One >of those inexpensive coffee grinders can be used to grind the herbs >into a fine powder.

I uses a blender to grind c/s herbs up finely before filling capsules. Also there are tinctures available for persons who don’t want to make teas. Don Herbs, Minerals & Goods Herbs, Essiac Tea, Essential Oils and Absolutes, Health Minerals http://www.top.net/harouffd/

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi all. >I am interested in taking some herbs to help me sleep at night.  I have >done some research, and have found out that valerian, hops, passionflower, >and chamomile might help.   >My problem is that I do not know what the best way is to take these >herbs.  I would like to avoid buying commercial capsules, since they are >so expensive.  I know that making teas is one possible way, but since this >will probably make me have to get up to use the bathroom in the night, I >would rather avoid teas. >Can anybody give me advice on how to take these herbs to help me sleep? >Can I just crush them to a powder and swallow them with a small amount of >water?  If I were to do this, how much should I take?  Are there any other >ways of using these herbs to help me sleep? >Thank you in advance for any replies! >Rebecca

Hi Rebecca, Just mix 1 oz of your herbs with 1 pint of vodka or alcool (40 %), mix well and keep on a closed containner for 2 weeks, shake daily. Then filter the mixture and you have a tincture of your herbs. Take 30-60 drops as needed. I hope this helps, Richard

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi all. >I am interested in taking some herbs to help me sleep at night.  I have >done some research, and have found out that valerian, hops, passionflower, >and chamomile might help.   >My problem is that I do not know what the best way is to take these >herbs.  I would like to avoid buying commercial capsules, since they are >so expensive.  I know that making teas is one possible way, but since this >will probably make me have to get up to use the bathroom in the night, I >would rather avoid teas. >Can anybody give me advice on how to take these herbs to help me sleep? >Can I just crush them to a powder and swallow them with a small amount of >water?  If I were to do this, how much should I take?  Are there any other >ways of using these herbs to help me sleep? >Thank you in advance for any replies! >Rebecca

Valerian and scullcap are excellent you dont need the other herbs. take them as a tissane or tea, using just off the boil water, both herbs are woody and need to be soaked in the hot water for about 40 min. — The ‘Old Craft’ lady               http://www.oldcity.demon.co.uk/

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>I am interested in taking some herbs to help me sleep at night.  I have >>done some research, and have found out that valerian, hops, passionflower, >>and chamomile might help.   >>My problem is that I do not know what the best way is to take these >>herbs.  I would like to avoid buying commercial capsules, since they are >>so expensive. >You could buy one of those capsule filling gadgets and some empty >capsules and fill your own capsules with your own herbal blend. One >of those inexpensive coffee grinders can be used to grind the herbs >into a fine powder. > I uses a blender to grind c/s herbs up finely before filling capsules. > Also there are tinctures available for persons who don’t want to make > teas. > Don > Herbs, Minerals & Goods > Herbs, Essiac Tea, Essential Oils and Absolutes, Health Minerals > http://www.top.net/harouffd/

Hi. call 1-800-555-1212 and ask for Atlantic Spice in Cape Cod,Mass.They have great prices. or try Blessed Herbs also in massechuesetts.Lemon grass is also good for insomnia and lavender too. Good Luck,Spunky7 at

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