Can't Sleep? Try Acupuncture and Herbs
Source: CBS
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/11/03/cant-sleep-herbal-tea-and-acupuncture-could-help
SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — For the chronically sleep deprived, getting a good night’s sleep can seem like a tough task.
Many people desperate for ZZZ’s begin to look to prescription pills.
But sleep specialist Dr. Mao Shing Ni — or Dr. Mao, as he’s known to his patients — says there are a number of ways to get your sleep schedule back on track with herbal remedies.
“You can definitely sleep like a baby again if you are open-minded and really want to help yourself,” said Dr. Mao, who runs the Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica.
So what kinds of exotic remedies does he recommend?
Well, many can be found at a local drug or health food store.
For starters, Dr. Mao recommends drinking a tea made from chamomile, valerian root, or jujube seed an hour before bedtime. Those supplements can also be taken as an extract or a supplement.
Magnesium supplements are another favorite of his, and can be consumed in pill form or mixed with water.
“Magnesium an hour before bedtime does wonders,” Dr. Mao said.
He also said Melatonin can work well as a sleep aid when taken as a supplement before bedtime.
Of course, Dr. Mao emphasizes a holistic approach that goes beyond ingesting pills or teas.
For relaxation and de-stressing, he also recommends acupuncture treatment.
If your schedule is too hectic to fit-in a visit to a specialist, he even has some acupressure tips that can be used at home.
For example, pressing your thumb into the skin two inches above the wrist, or applying pressure in your ear with a pen can both be effective methods of acupressure, he said.
There are other natural ways to calm your body and mind before bed, too, he said.
He recommends abstaining from electronics for at least a couple hours before going to sleep.
Also, foods such as bacon, cheese, chocolate, tomatoes and potatoes should be avoided before bed as they contain an amino-acid that can make falling asleep difficult.
Another way to rid yourself of the day’s stresses is to write your thoughts down in a journal before lying down.
He also said Epsom salt baths, which supply magnesium, can aid sleep.
And, perhaps surprisingly, setting an alarm can help, too — no, not an alarm for waking, but for falling asleep.
Too often, Dr. Mao said, we put off sleep until much later than we’d like.
Clinic visitor Laurie Zerwer, who has had trouble falling asleep, said the therapies appear to be working. She’s especially fond of acupuncture.
“It works,” she said. “I’m definitely a believer. Acupuncture is paid for by insurance, so I’m not the only believer.”
