MICROgenics Sound a Sleep

Insomnia is characterised by a persistent lack of or poor-quality sleep often caused by difficulty falling asleep, waking during the night with trouble returning to sleep, waking up too early and the feeling of un-refreshed sleep even after sleeping 7 to 8 hours at night. Insomnia may be associated with day time sleepiness, fatigue, difficulty thinking clearly and staying focused, and may cause an irritable feeling. The National Sleep Foundation in the United States recommends eight to nine hours of sleep for adults is optimal for gain the beneficial effects sufficient sleep provides, such as effective alertness, memory, problem solving, and overall health.

Insomnia and Sleeplessness

• The sedative properties of Valerian have been recognised for at least two thousand years and used in numerous cultures, with the primary use to provide relief of insomnia, mild anxiety, and conditions associated with the nervous system
• In Germany, the Commission E approved the internal use of valerian for restlessness and sleeping disorders caused from nervous conditions
• The World Health Organization recommends Valerian to be used as a mild sedative and sleep-promoting agent, as a milder alternative or substitute for stronger synthetic sedatives and in the treatment of nervous excitation and mild anxiety-induced sleep disturbances
• Numerous clinical studies have substantiated Valerian's ability to assist sleep quality and relieve insomnia. Valerian extract has been shown to significantly improve quality of sleep by reducing night-time awakenings in sufferers of insomnia in more than 15 double-blind studies.
• A randomised placebo controlled clinical trial demonstrated that single or repeated administration of Valerian extract does not cause negative effects on alertness, reaction time, and memory concentration the next day after use.
• Spanish conquerors first learned of Passionflower from the Aztecs of Mexico who used it as a sedative to treat insomnia and nervousness. The plant was so highly regarded that it was transported back to Europe where it became widely cultivated and introduced into European medicine.
• Today, European medicine regards Passionflower as a sedative, anti-mild anxiety, and antispasmodic herb. Pharmacological studies analyzing the effects of Passionflower on the body support the empirically accepted central nervous system sedative and effects on mild anxiety.
• Hops have been used and are still used in many traditional native medicines. In ninth century of Europe, Hops was used therapeutically, before that it was used in making beers and breads, and also as a salad vegetable. The Native American Indian Cherokee used Hops as a sedative. In India medicine Ayurvedic recommends Hops for restlessness associated with nervous tension. Similarly, in traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to treat insomnia and restlessness. Today, Western herbalist often include hops into sleep formulas for the synergistic effect it adds to Valerian and Passionflower
• Vitamin B1, B3, B6 and Zinc are included to support healthy nerve function, by assisting in the conversion of the amino acid tryptophan to serotonin, the precursor to melatonin a hormone responsible for the regulation of sleep.

Nervous tension, Stress and mild Anxiety

• In 2003, a widely publicised study performed at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine demonstrated that cognitive performance declines with fewer than eight hours of sleep.
• A lack of sleep and poor sleep quality causes negative effects on our emotions often resulting with irritability and mild anxiety during the day. MICROgenics Sound a Sleep contains herbs which act as sedatives and also support mild anxiety and stress. By promoting a good night sleep you also provide balanced moods throughout the day.
• In Western Herbal medicine Passionflower is used to treat nervous restlessness

Muscle relaxant

• Valerian is also considered to be a muscle relaxant providing relief of muscular cramps and spasms

Lifestyle recommendations to reduce Insomnia and sleeplessness

• Take a warm bath and drink warm milk before bedtime
• Exercising vigorously for half an hour in the afternoon
• Eat a large lunch and then only a light evening meal at least three hours before bed
• Avoid mentally stimulating activities in the evening hours such as television
• Go to bed at a reasonable hour and get up early
• Avoid exposing the eyes to too much light, a few hours before bedtime
• Try relaxation techniques such as meditation, which may help to promote sleep