Thirty eight bottle fed infants were randomly assigned to receive either a hypoallergenic formula (Pregestimil) or cow’s milk formula. A further 77 mothers of breastfed colicky infants were put on a diet free of artificial colours, preservatives and additives and were further randomly assigned to a low allergen diet or a control diet.

After one week, the 61 per cent of infants on the hypoallergenic diet (breast and bottle) showed a significant reduction in distress, compared to only 43 per cent of those on control diets (J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1995; 96: 886-92).

For information on food allergy testing see WDDTY vol 6 no 9.

Half the mothers were put on a low-allergen diet that excluded dairy products, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and fish. The remaining mothers’ daily diets included one portion of wheat and peanuts, one chocolate-covered cereal bar, and a drink containing soya and milk.

The mothers on the low-allergen diet reported a marked improvement in their babies’ behaviour, with their babies sleeping for an additional hour and a half each day (Pediatrics, 2005; 116: 709-15).

PND is different from the ‘baby blues’ – a transient condition that affects most mothers within the first two weeks after birth, yet with similar symptoms to PND. Postpuerperal psychosis is a much rarer condition – affecting 0.1-0.2 per cent of mothers – accompanied by hallucinations, delusions and disorganised or catatonic behaviour.

PND can have a major negative impact on the relationship between mother and baby, with implications for cognitive and emotional development, and links to anxiety and low self-esteem in the child as well as in other family members.

What causes it?
The rapid drop in reproductive hormones in the aftermath of delivery is thought to be one of the main causes of depression, though other factors may be involved. Childbirth and the first month after delivery are both physically and mentally exhausting. You may be deprived of sleep and deficient in the nutrients that have been passed to the baby during pregnancy (and will continue to be while you are breastfeeding). You also have to adjust psychologically to a new lifestyle. Stressful life events and relationships may also contribute.

Women who have had past episodes of depression (unrelated to childbirth) are more prone to postnatal depression.

What doctors tell you
Despite the available alternative treatments, especially as mothers are often unwilling to take drugs, your GP’s first port of call for PND is usually antidepressants.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline and venlafaxine can relieve PND – but at a price. Side-effects include nausea, anorexia, diarrhoea, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia (the last thing a new mother needs) and drowsiness.

These drugs can also be transferred to the baby via breastmilk. Although studies have found only very low levels in infants’ blood, it may not be the case in the brain. When present in the blood, fluoxetine has led to an increase in crying, diarrhoea, vomiting, colic, poor sleep and weight loss (Br J Clin Pharmacol, 1999; 48: 521-7). And with no long-term studies of infants exposed to SSRIs via breastmilk, no one knows what SSRI levels in blood are ‘safe’ (Am J Psychiatry, 1996; 153: 1132-7).

When all else fails, doctors usually reach for hormones. Synthetic oestrogen can relieve the symptoms of PND within two weeks, but this may cause a decreased milk production and an increased risk of thromboembolism. Progesterone can make depression worse (Br J Obstet Gynaecol, 1998; 105: 1082-90).

Michelle Clare

These medicines should be taken in the 6th or 30th potency. Generally, if there is minor pain or discomfort, you should take the medicine three times a day, stopping once health has been restored. If there is more severe the pain, you can consider taking the medicine every one to three hours, decreasing the doses as symptoms are reduced. If you do not observe some improvement after 24 hours in an acute condition, the medicine is probably not the correct one. If symptoms persist, consider another medicine or seek professional homeopathic care.

It is generally recommended that people treat themselves for non-threatening acute conditions only and obtain professional care for chronic or potential dangerous health conditions. Dr. Stephen Cummings and Dana Ullman’s Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines (Tarcher/Perigee, 1991) provides detailed protocols for helping to determine when symptoms are beyond self-care.



Allium cepa (onion): Because it is known to cause tearing of the eyes and dripping of the nose, it is a frequent remedy for the common cold and hay fever, especially when there is a thin, watery, and burning nasal discharge that irritates the nostrils. Typically, the person’s symptoms are worse in a warm room and are relieved in a cool room or in the open air.



Arnica (mountain daisy): This is the #1 remedy in sports medicine and first aid. It is used for shock and trauma from injury. It also helps to reduce pain from injury and to speed the healing process. Whether you’re into competitive sports or exercise regularly or if you simply don’t like to feel the pain of an injury, Arnica is the place to start.



Chamomilla (chamomille): Many parents owe their sleep to homeopathy, not because it helps them directly, but because it is so good for their infant. Chamomilla is THE remedy for the irritable infant, especially from teething or colic. The infant cries incessantly, and nothing seems to provide any relief, except carrying them, and even then, the crying begins recurs as soon as the parent puts the child down.



Hypericum (St. John’s wort): This remedy is the first medicine to consider for injuries to the nerves or to parts of the body rich with them, including the fingers, toes, and back. Any injury with shooting pains should be given this remedy.



Ignatia (St. Ignatius bean): One day this remedy will be used by the majority of psychiatrists. It is one of the leading homeopathic medicines for acute grief, anxiety, and depression, especially after a death or separation from a loved one. The person sighs frequently, has a lump in the throat, and may tremble.



Magnesia phosphorica (phosphate of magnesia): This is the most effective remedy for cramps, including menstrual cramps. It has helped prevent many women turn from Dr. Jekkyl into Ms. Hyde as a result of menstrual cramps. It is particularly indicated when a woman’s cramps cause her to bend over and when they experience some relief from warm applications.



Nux vomica (poison nut): This is the premier medicine for ailments exacerbated by conventional or recreational drugs. It is also a common remedy for treating symptoms of overeating or from drinking too much alcohol. Considering how many people have these vices, this is an all too frequent medicine today.



Pulsatilla (windflower): Perhaps the most commommon remedy given to both children and women, this medicine is not indicated for a specific disease but for a specific pattern of physical symptoms and psychological characteristics. Physically, these people are warm-blooded: they wear less clothes than others, prefer open air, and don’t feel as well in the heat. Psychologically, they are a gentle, mind, and yielding person, with a quickly changing emotional state and a strong tendency to want to please others.



Rhus tox (poison ivy): This medicine is the most common remedy for sprains and strains. It is especially indicated when a person experiences a “rusty gate” syndrome, that is, pain on initial motion which is reduced the more the person continues to move. It is also often given to people with the flu or arthritis who experience this similar rusty gate syndrome.

How do I Learn More About Homeopathy?

The best source of homeopathic books, tapes, home medicine kits, and software is:

Homeopathic Educational Services

2124B Kittredge St.

Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 649-0294

(510) 649-1955 (fax)

Besides the inappropriate treatment of infant fevers and colds, another common, inappropriate treatment that is often administered is for infant’s teething problems. A large group of pediatricians were recently surveyed about what they do for teething infants. Virtually all prescribed medications, usually pain-killers of varying strengths, sedatives, and local anesthetics.

It is certainly understandable that parents want to do something to allay their infants’ pain during the teething stage. Besides the tooth pain and drooling that infants suffer, they also often have fever, bowel problems (usually diarrhea, or constipation alternating with diarrhea), colds, and skin rashes. And it is certainly understandable that physicians who see the pained infants and the frightened and concerned parents would want to do something. However, homeopathy offers such an effective alternative to problems associated with teething that physicians and parents will inevitably look to it.

Chamomilla has probably introduced more parents to homeopathy than any other homeopathic medicine. It is not the only medicine that homeopaths prescribe to treat teething, but it is so commonly used that it is generally recommended unless the infant’s symptoms clearly indicate the need for a different medicine. The most common symptoms of infants who need Chamomilla are inflamed gums, drooling, and a desire to keep fingers in the mouth. Commonly, one cheek is hot and red, while the other is pale. More notable than these physical symptoms are the emotional and behavioral changes. The infants are hyperirritable and may scream and hit. They demand things but reject them as soon as they are given. During sleep they toss and turn and may cry aloud. The only relief they experience comes when they are being carried about or rocked. This description of Chamomilla infants no doubt sounds familiar to many parents.

Other homeopathic medicines given to teething infants are Podophyllum (mayapple), Belladonna (deadly nightshade),Calcarea phosphorica (phosphate of calcium), Calcarea carbonica (calcium carbonate), Coffea (coffee), and Caffeinum (caffeine).

Although some parents may be frightened to give some of these substances to their infant or child, the exceedingly small doses used in homeopathic medicine are known not only to be safe but to be effective in treating many common ailments.

For numerous infant and childhood conditions it may often be more appropriate to treat the parent’s anxiety than the pediatric complaint. The fever-phobia that parents have and the fear that any symptom requires immediate treatment is a common, though “curable,” state of mind. Although there are certainly conditions that require medical attention, the vast majority of infant and childhood symptoms are nothing to worry about. Pediatrician Robert Mendelsohn has noted that 95% of pediatric ailments heal themselves and do not require medical care. One important recommendation for parents who want to try to treat their children is to remember to avoid treatments that suppress symptoms. Treatments that try to counteract the body’s natural defensive tendencies are generally suppressive. One example of a common home treatment for infants’ colic (or sometimes for children’s digestive problems, too) is the use of baking soda. Although baking soda may neutralize the stomach acids, it causes what is called a “rebound effect,” in which the body reacts to the baking soda by secreting even more stomach acids.

The homeopathic alternative to treating infants’ colic and children’s digestive problems is an individually chosen homeopathic medicine. Chamomilla is one of the common medicines for colic when the infant has the typically hyperirritable state that is normally associated with this medicine, as described earlier. Pulsatilla is another common medicine for colic, but the infants for whom it is prescribed are generally very affectionate and desirous of attention and sympathy; although they may be irritable from the pain they experience, they are still basically friendly. Some of the other commonly used homeopathic medicines for colicky infants are Arsenicum, Nux vomica, Natrum sulphuricum, Bryonia, Magnesia phosphorica, Colocynthis, Lycopodium, and Sulphur. There are numerous other homeopathic medicines (too many to list here) that are occasionally given to colicky infants.

Some people theorize that the reason for colic is that the infant is allergic to milk or to some other food. The homeopathic view of food allergies is basically that the food is not “the problem.” Rather, it is the individual’s underlying state of health. The disease process produces poor assimilation and utilization of the food, which then ultimately creates symptoms. Homeopaths have found that the homeopathic medicines are effective in reestablishing health and thereby reducing food allergies.

Homeopathic medicines have wide applications for pediatric complaints. Since conventional medications, taken singlularly or in combination with other drugs, have known and unknown complications in infants and children, it is generally worthwhile to seek safe, effective alternatives to pediatric problems first. Homeopathic medicines may not only help to improve the health of infants and children, but will probably also help them to become healthy adults.

In addition to the various individual homeopathic medicines, there are numerous homeopathic formulas readily available in health food stores. The Medicine From Nature line of homeopathic products include a special line of children’s products, including Teething, Colic, Child Fever and Earache. There are also 15 homeopathic formulas available, including four for women, four for sports injuries, and 20 for common ailments of anyone.

When parents does not know how to find the individual homeopathic medicine for their child or when that individual medicine is not readily available, the Medicine From Nature formulas can be invaluable remedies.

Nothing seems to stop the screaming of a colicky infant – not even feeding, changing the diaper or cuddling. Take comfort, though. Colic is rarely dangerous and doesn’t last a long time. It usually begins after an infant is two weeks old, peaks at about three months of age and most often ends by the fourth month.

The cause of colic is a mystery. Some pediatricians think it is due to an underdeveloped digestive tract. Others blame food allergies, abdominal gas, not enough sleep or over sensitivity to a busy and noisy home. Still others think it is a combination of these factors. An attack of colic may end with the passage of gas or stool.

Once in a while, colic may be an early sign of a serious medical problem. For example, in the medical condition call intussusception, the bowel becomes obstructed. A doctor can examine your baby and run laboratory tests to check for this and other medical conditions.

• Have your infant sit rather than lie down at feeding time to avoid swallowing air.
  
• If breast feeding, watch your intake of caffeine drinks like colas, coffee, cocoa and tea.
  
• Stop eating milk products on a one-week trial basis. One study showed that when the mother stopped eating dairy foods, her baby’s colic often disappeared. (If you do this, check with your doctor about taking calcium supplements).
  
• Do not overheat the milk or formula.
  
• Make sure the bottle’s nipple holes are not too small. Tiny holes cause babies to swallow air as they suck on the nipples.
  
• Try a different type of formula, i.e., a soy-based one instead of one made with cow’s milk.
  
• Make mealtime a quiet, calm time.
  
• Feed more frequently. Burp your baby more often.
  

First, stay calm and try to relax. It takes a lot of patience and tolerance to deal with a screaming baby, especially when nothing seems wrong. While none of these self-care tips will cure colic, they may bring you and your baby some relief.

• Be sure your baby is getting enough to eat. Hunger, not colic, may be causing the crying.
  
• Try different types of purchased nipples. If the nipple hole is too small, enlarge it.
  
  
  
  • To check the hole size, put cold formula in the bottle and turn it upside down. Shake or squeeze the bottle.
    
  • Count the number of drops of formula. The right sized hole delivers about one drop per second.
    
  • If there are fewer drops per second, make the hole bigger by using a knife to make a cross cut over the existing hole.
    
  
  
• Hold your child up for feeding and for a short while afterwards.
  
• Burp your baby after each ounce of formula or every few minutes when breast feeding.
  
• Use a pacifier. (Never, however, put a pacifier on a string around your baby’s neck).
  
• Wrap your infant in a cozy blanket and gently rock him or her, or use an automatic swing. The back and forth motion tends to quiet a wailing baby.
  
• Try what is called the “colic carry”. Carefully place your baby face down, with his/her face on your open hand and legs straddling your inner elbow. Support your baby by holding his/her back with your other hand and walk around the house for a while.
  
• Vacuum while carrying your infant in a “baby carrier” worn on your chest. Apparently, the noise of a running vacuum soothes a colicky baby.
  
• Play soothing music. This may benefit you as well as the baby.
  
• Take your baby for a ride outdoors in the stroller or in the car.
  
• Run the dryer or dishwasher. Put your baby in an infant seat and lean it against the side of the dryer or on the counter close to the dishwasher. (Stay with your baby and make sure the baby will not be harmed by the heat or steam given off by these appliances). The vibration may put your child to sleep.
  
• Do not give the baby liquid antacids (such as Maalox) or simethicone drops. These have not been shown to be helpful.
  
• Let your baby cry himself or herself to sleep if none of the above suggestions work. (Don’t let your baby cry, however, for more than four hours).
  
• If you’re stressed, let someone else take over the care of your child for awhile. Get some rest.
  

Questions to Ask

Is your infant lethargic – unable to be normally active?
Do you feel out of control and are you tempted to strike or hit the baby?	Or contact a crisis intervention center.
Is your infant vomiting, having diarrhea or passing black or bloody stools?
Is your infant running a fever higher than 101oF?
Has your baby lost weight or is he or she eating less or showing reluctance to feed?
Is your infant less than two weeks or more than four months of age?
Does any attack of colic last longer than four hours?
Is your infant taking a prescription medication?

Demulcents have these general properties:

• They reduce irritation down the whole length of the bowel.
  
• They reduce the sensitivity of the digestive system to gastric acids.
  
• Help to ease the digestive muscle spasms which cause colic.

Some demulcents also:

• Ease coughing by a soothing of bronchial tension.
  
• Relax painful spasm in the bladder and urinary system, and sometime seven in the uterus.

Herbal Demulcents

Coltsfoot

Comfrey

Corn Silk

Couch Grass

Flaxseed

Iceland moss

Irish Moss

Liquorice

Lungwort

Marshmallow

Mullein

Slippery Elm

Demulcents that are also Anti-Catarrhal : Coltsfoot, Lungwort, Mullein

Demulcents that are also Anti-Inflammatory : Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Liquorice, Lungwort, Marshmallow, Mullein, Slippery Elm



Demulcents that are also Anti-Microbial : Couch Grass

Demulcents that are also Anti-Spasmodic : Coltsfoot, Liquorice, Lungwort, Mullein

Demulcents that are also Astringent : Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Lungwort, Marshmallow, Slippery Elm

Demulcents that are also Carminative :

Demulcents that are also Diaphoretic : Mullein

Demulcents that are also Diuretic : Coltsfoot, Corn Silk, Couch Grass, Marshmallow, Mullein

Demulcents that are also Emmenagogue :

Demulcents that are also Expectorant : Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Irish Moss, Liquorice, Lungwort, Mullein

Demulcents that are also Hepatic :

Demulcents that are also Laxative : Flaxseed, Liquorice

Demulcents that are also Nervine :

Demulcents that are also Tonic : Coltsfoot, Corn Silk, Liquorice, Mullein

Demulcents that are also Vulnerary : Coltsfoot, Comfrey , Lungwort, Marshmallow, Mullein

Umbelliferae

Names:

Habitat: Native to Europe, Asia and North Africa, widely cultivated.

Collection: The flowering heads (umbels) are collected in July and left to ripen. The seeds are then easily collected as they can be shaken off.

Part Used: The seeds.

Constituents:

• Volatile oil, consisting of carvone
  (40-60%) andlimonene, with dihydrocarvone, carveol, dihydrocarveol, pinen, thujone, and other minor constiruents

• Flavonoids; mainly quercetin derivatives
  
• Miscellaneous; polysaccharide, protein, fixed oil calcium oxalate.
  

Indications: Caraway is used as a calming herb to ease
flatulentdyspepsia and intestinal colic, especially in children. It will stimulate the appetite. Its astringency will help in the treatment ofdiarrhoea as well as in laryngitis as a gargle, It can be used in bronchitis and bronchial asthma. Its anti-spasmodic actions help in the relief of period pains. It has been used to increase milkflow in nursing mothers.

Combinations: For flatulence and colic Caraway combines well with Chamomile and Calamus, in diarrhoea with Agrimony and Bayberry and in bronchitis with White Horehound.

Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l teaspoonful of freshly crushed seeds and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Tincture: take l-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Besides the inappropriate treatment of infant fevers and colds, another common, inappropriate treatment that is often administered is for infant’s teething problems. A large group of pediatricians were recently surveyed about what they do for teething infants. Virtually all prescribed medications, usually pain-killers of varying strengths, sedatives, and local anesthetics.

It is certainly understandable that parents want to do something to allay their infants’ pain during the teething stage. Besides the tooth pain and drooling that infants suffer, they also often have fever, bowel problems (usually diarrhea, or constipation alternating with diarrhea), colds, and skin rashes. And it is certainly understandable that physicians who see the pained infants and the frightened and concerned parents would want to do something. However, homeopathy offers such an effective alternative to problems associated with teething that physicians and parents will inevitably look to it.

Chamomilla has probably introduced more parents to homeopathy than any other homeopathic medicine. It is not the only medicine that homeopaths prescribe to treat teething, but it is so commonly used that it is generally recommended unless the infant’s symptoms clearly indicate the need for a different medicine. The most common symptoms of infants who need Chamomilla are inflamed gums, drooling, and a desire to keep fingers in the mouth. Commonly, one cheek is hot and red, while the other is pale. More notable than these physical symptoms are the emotional and behavioral changes. The infants are hyperirritable and may scream and hit. They demand things but reject them as soon as they are given. During sleep they toss and turn and may cry aloud. The only relief they experience comes when they are being carried about or rocked. This description of Chamomilla infants no doubt sounds familiar to many parents.

Other homeopathic medicines given to teething infants are Podophyllum (mayapple), Belladonna (deadly nightshade),Calcarea phosphorica (phosphate of calcium), Calcarea carbonica (calcium carbonate), Coffea (coffee), and Caffeinum (caffeine).

Although some parents may be frightened to give some of these substances to their infant or child, the exceedingly small doses used in homeopathic medicine are known not only to be safe but to be effective in treating many common ailments.

For numerous infant and childhood conditions it may often be more appropriate to treat the parent’s anxiety than the pediatric complaint. The fever-phobia that parents have and the fear that any symptom requires immediate treatment is a common, though “curable,” state of mind. Although there are certainly conditions that require medical attention, the vast majority of infant and childhood symptoms are nothing to worry about. Pediatrician Robert Mendelsohn has noted that 95% of pediatric ailments heal themselves and do not require medical care. One important recommendation for parents who want to try to treat their children is to remember to avoid treatments that suppress symptoms. Treatments that try to counteract the body’s natural defensive tendencies are generally suppressive. One example of a common home treatment for infants’ colic (or sometimes for children’s digestive problems, too) is the use of baking soda. Although baking soda may neutralize the stomach acids, it causes what is called a “rebound effect,” in which the body reacts to the baking soda by secreting even more stomach acids.

The homeopathic alternative to treating infants’ colic and children’s digestive problems is an individually chosen homeopathic medicine. Chamomilla is one of the common medicines for colic when the infant has the typically hyperirritable state that is normally associated with this medicine, as described earlier. Pulsatilla is another common medicine for colic, but the infants for whom it is prescribed are generally very affectionate and desirous of attention and sympathy; although they may be irritable from the pain they experience, they are still basically friendly. Some of the other commonly used homeopathic medicines for colicky infants are Arsenicum, Nux vomica, Natrum sulphuricum, Bryonia, Magnesia phosphorica, Colocynthis, Lycopodium, and Sulphur. There are numerous other homeopathic medicines (too many to list here) that are occasionally given to colicky infants.

Some people theorize that the reason for colic is that the infant is allergic to milk or to some other food. The homeopathic view of food allergies is basically that the food is not “the problem.” Rather, it is the individual’s underlying state of health. The disease process produces poor assimilation and utilization of the food, which then ultimately creates symptoms. Homeopaths have found that the homeopathic medicines are effective in reestablishing health and thereby reducing food allergies.

Homeopathic medicines have wide applications for pediatric complaints. Since conventional medications, taken singlularly or in combination with other drugs, have known and unknown complications in infants and children, it is generally worthwhile to seek safe, effective alternatives to pediatric problems first. Homeopathic medicines may not only help to improve the health of infants and children, but will probably also help them to become healthy adults.

In addition to the various individual homeopathic medicines, there are numerous homeopathic formulas readily available in health food stores. The Medicine From Nature line of homeopathic products include a special line of children’s products, including Teething, Colic, Child Fever and Earache. There are also 15 homeopathic formulas available, including four for women, four for sports injuries, and 20 for common ailments of anyone.

When parents does not know how to find the individual homeopathic medicine for their child or when that individual medicine is not readily available, the Medicine From Nature formulas can be invaluable remedies.

Copyright 1991 by Dana Ullman, M.P.H. used by permission of the author from
the book Consumer’s Guide to Homeopathy: The Definitive Resource for
Understanding Homeopathic Medicine and Making it Work for You
published by Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam.

For further information about homeopathic medicine, contact:

Homeopathic Educational
Services

2124B Kittredge St.

Berkeley, CA. 94704

(510)649-0294

(510)649-1955 (fax)

Email: mail@homeopathic.com

Hypnotics are herbal remedies that will help to induce a deep and healing state of sleep. They have nothing at all to do with hypnotic trances!

How Hypnotics Work

Herbs that help you sleep have modes of action that vary from mild muscle relaxing properties, through
volatile oils that ease psychological tensions, to remedies that contain strong alkaloids that work directly on the
central nervous system and put you to sleep. Some of the most effective plant hypnotics are illegal for the very
degree of their effectiveness. This includes the whole range of Opium Poppy derivatives. The remedies mentioned
here are entirely safe and have no addictive properties.

Hypnotic herbs should always be used within the
context of an approach to sleep problems involving relaxation, food, and lifestyle in general. For a detailed
approach to their therapeutic use please refer to the section on the nervous system.

Hypnotics for Different Parts of the Body

Each system of the body has plants that are particularly suited to it, some of which
are hypnotics of varying strength. It is safe to say, however, that all of the hypnotic remedies can help the whole
body, in that sleep is such a vital health process.

Circulatory system: Here we can mention
Motherwort, Linden, Balm. Notice that they are all in the milder group. European Mistletoe can help but must be
used with care.

Respiratory system: All of the hypnotics can help as anti-spasmodics in conditions
such as asthma, if used at the right dose. Wild Lettuce eases irritable coughs.

Digestive system: The
relaxing nervines and carminatives are important, of which we can mention Chamomile, Vervain, Balm, Hops
and Valerian. The anti-spasmodic herbs will help with intestinal colic, for example Hops, Jamaican Dogwood,
Passion Flower and Valerian.

Urinary system: Hypnotics are important here when used as muscle
relaxants.

Reproductive system: The same remarks hold good.

Muscles and Skeleton:
All hypnotics will aid in reducing muscle tension and even the pain associated with problems in this system.
They may be used internally or as lotions. Especially important are Jamaican Dogwood and Valerian.

Nervous system: All these remedies work on the nervous system.

Skin: Chamomile and Cowslip
are healing, but otherwise the value of hypnotics here is to ensure that the body has a good recuperative rest each
night.

Hypnotic Herbs

Californian Poppy	Eschscholzia californica
Chamomile	Matricaria recutita
Hops	Humulus lupulus
Jamaican Dogwood	Piscidia erythrina
Linden	Tilia spp.
Motherwort	Leonurus cardiaca
Mugwort	Artemisia vulgaris
Pasque Flower	Anenome pulsatilla
Passion Flower	Passiflora incarnata
Skullcap	Scutellaria laterifolia
Valerian	Valeriana officinalis
Vervain	Verbena officinalis
Wild Lettuce	Lactuca virosa
Wood betony	Betonica officinalis

Hypnotics & Their Secondary Actions

Please refer to the secondary actions of Nervine Relaxants