Any one else tried Valerian-hops?

[Lovemyshoes]

I'm having a terrible time getting a good nights sleep.

It takes AT LEAST an hour to drop off then from 3am onwards I'm waking every 1/2 to 1 hour.

I've taken some valerian, wondered if anyone else had tried it?

[vonsudenfed]

Yes, I used to use it a while ago - never had much luck with the stuff from Boots, but a friend of a friend was a herbalist and made me some, which was fab and helped me to sleep really well.

I find Nytol good - and the effects only last for a few days, so you can't get addicted.

But this week (! I never realised my sleep was regularly so bad) I've been using the CD from Paul McKenna's I can make you sleep, and it is working a treat. I put it on the iPod and go to sleep to it, and after a couple of days it made a real difference.

[Lovemyshoes]

I've tried kalms, nytol and another one, but nothing works.

I don't think I am an insomniac but just desperately NEED a good sleep, doesn't help that:

I have a cat who has to wrap himself round my legs

If I lock him out of the bedroom he knocks on the bedroom door and:

If I lock him out of the house he sits under the window and cries or knocks on the front door!

[vonsudenfed]

Funnily enough the cats are part of my problem too (both the daft one who howls at the moon when she finds an elastic band at 3am, and the neurotic one who comes and purrs at you if you show the slightest sign of being awake). But then I think if I was sleeping deeply, I'd just sleep through them.

Seriously, though, try the Paul McKenna CD, DH and I are both using it - heaven alone knows what we look like both with our headphones on - and are both sleeping better.

[Lovemyshoes]

thank you, I don't have that cd ( I don't think) but, I will try it

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

Hops and lavender are both herbal treatments for sleep problems - just the smell. Lavender has had some clinical trials which has shown it to be effective in people with dementia, at least.

[BlueChampagne]

I've tried Dr Stuart's valerian tea which I find quite effective. However, if nytol doesn't help, this may not either. Is it worth talking to your Doctor as well?