Difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep is a very common problem. People of all ages can suffer from periods of insomnia in their lives, from a wide range of causes. Long term insomnia can have a significant impact on mental and physical health and vitality.
Homeopathy can be an effective natural solution for insomnia. Long term sleeplessness will need professional care, and seeing a homeopath will involve looking at the history of your insomnia in the context of your overall health history and personal circumstances. Acute or recent onset insomnia with a clearly identifiable cause can often be helped with homeopathic self treatment. I have included below a brief picture of twelve of the most commonly indicated remedies for acute insomnia. Successful treatment rests on matching the symptoms you are experiencing to the symptom pattern of a specific homeopathic medicine. I have included a combination remedy which can be used in cases where the symptom picture is unclear, or where other remedies have not helped.
Remember to consider practical measures first, to ensure you have a healthy sleep routine, and to set the stage for a good night’s sleep. These include the following:
- Keep your bedroom dark and cool to encourage the production of melatonin, and reflect the body’s lower internal temperature during sleep.
- Avoid sleeping in the same room as electrical devices or Wifi routers.
- Keep your mobile phone away from your bed and switched off or on airplane mode.
- Take some evening exercise, especially if you are sedentary during the day.
- Take time to wind down: turn off the computer, take a warm bath, listen to music, read a book.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks in the afternoon and evening.
- Try writing down important thoughts that won’t go away – getting them off your mind and down on paper can really help.
The remedies:
Kali phos
This is a great remedy for insomnia from nervous exhaustion or fatigue. This might be, for example, following a period of intense mental or physical work or strain (eg studying for exams, or after giving birth), where the person feels completely worn out, but cannot sleep. It is also indicated in sleeplessness from worry or stress.
Coffea
This remedy is helpful in acute insomnia brought on by excitement or an overactive mind. The person finds themselves in a wide awake state, following mental overstimulation or excitement. Any situation of sleeplessness brought on by overexcitement may be helped by Coffea, including before or after social events, taking care of the sick, or after childbirth, where the picture matches. Coffea will also help in insomnia brought on by too much coffee (or other form of caffeine stimulation).
Nux vomica
This is a useful remedy for acute insomnia brought on by excessive mental work or study, or by overuse of stimulants or alcohol. Those who would benefit from this remedy will often wake around 3 to 4am, and feel irritable on rising in the morning.
Aconite
Aconite can be helpful when acute sleeplessness is brought on by fear, fright or anxiety. The person is constantly agitated, with tossing and turning. Sleep is light, with anxious dreams.
Chamomilla
Chamomilla is the main remedy for sleeplessness from pain. This may include toothache (or teething in children), period pain, earache or colic. Those who might benefit from Chamomilla experience the pain as distressing and intolerable. Sleep is fitful and restless, and they may cry and moan during sleep.
Sticta
This remedy has a specific use in sleeplessness after surgery, injuries or accidents.
Arnica
Arnica is the first remedy to think of for jet lag, resulting in a state of exhaustion with the inability to sleep. They are sleepless even though overtired. There may be a feeling of bruised soreness in the body, and the bed feels too hard.
Ignatia
This remedy is indicated and will often be helpful in insomnia from grief or sadness. When sleep comes it tends to be light, with starting on falling asleep.
Cocculus
Cocculus is a remedy often helpful in sleeplessness from exhaustion. It is typically brought on by caring for the sick, or for young children. Symptoms are often accompanied by weakness and vertigo.
Avena sativa
Avena is indicated in sleeplessness from nervous exhaustion, and is also used in professional care for insomnia caused by excessive use of alcohol or narcotics.
Passiflora
Passiflora is a useful remedy to help calm the nervous system and restore a more normal sleep pattern, especially in those who are restless and wakeful from overwork or worries.
Helios Sleep
This is a combination remedy supplied by Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy, which can be taken for acute insomnia where a single remedy cannot be identified. It is intended to help with the symptomatic relief of temporary sleep disturbances, and contains Avena sativa, Passiflora, Coffea and Valerian.
Homeopathic treatment can help with chronic insomnia, and in this case it is advisable to work with a homeopath so that remedies can be chosen that fit your particular history and circumstances. Chronic insomnia may date back to a stressful or traumatic event or period of time, it may be associated with chronic anxiety or depression, or may be related to hormonal changes including menopause, among other causative factors.
If you would like to book a free discovery call or appointment, you can do so via my online calendar: https://karenleadbeater.co.uk/work-with-me/
Are these remedies safe for a four month baby who cannot stay asleep
Hi Carol, thanks for your question. Homeopathic remedies are safe for babies, right from day 1. However – sleep issues in an infant are usually chronic in nature, and need to be treated under professional care with a homeopath. Acute insomnia in adults can be safely self-treated, as there will usually be a clear recent cause. With infants, as you know, it is normal for a four month old to wake regularly for feeds. If there is something more going on a homeopath should be able to help. Best wishes, Karen
I am 76 years old n I will not get sleep through out night.Kindly advice to my insomnia problem.
Hi, thanks for your question. It might be possible for you to do some self help homeopathy for your insomnia, however insomnia has numerous causes and without a little further information it is not really possible to signpost you to homeopathic or other options. You are welcome to use the information in my blog post to try some preliminary self help. If remedies do not help I suggest you see a homeopath or other professional to help you understand the underlying causes. Best wishes,
Karen
My son is 4 years old. He has been having sleep issues this past month. He says he is scared doesn’t want to sleep alone and has some fear then stays awake for a hour or so. It usually happens after 12am. My wife is also pregant and he mentions it’s not fair he don’t sleep with mum and dad. We have tried phosphorus not worked. Not sure what else we can do
Hi Salih, to choose a remedy for your son needs a careful look at the bigger picture. The sleep disruption needs to be understood in the context of his state of health and emotional life. For example, there may be a link to the big change coming with a new sibling in the house, and his feelings around this. It is very typical for their to be both excitement and fear in this situation. I feel it would be beneficial to take him to a homeopath to take the whole picture into account. Best wishes, Karen
I had an ischemic stroke and now have insomnia. I sleep an hour or two, then wake up. I have dreams during these short sleeps. Sometimes i can keep getting back to sleep, sometimes not. What can I try?
Hi Alexandra, with this aetiology you would do best to work with a homeopath to look at the bigger picture. Context is important in homeopathic treatment, and there are a large number of possible remedies in this situation. Best wishes, Karen
that probably would be chamomile. Yes, I used it with all my babies. Especially if the fall asleep but can’t stay asleep.
Hi Sherrie, yes Chamomilla could be a match here – and glad to hear it helped with your little ones – but we would need to know a bit more about the circumstances and history to be more certain. If Chamomilla does not help significantly, it might be worth having them seen by a homeopath. Best wishes, Karen
One of the main reason for insomnia in children is milk and especially cow milk or cow milk mixed with Buffalo milk.
Try some formula milk as they are mostly not real milk.
Hopefully this will resolve problem.
Hi Muhammad, while this may be the case for some children, insomnia is very individual. I personally don’t agree with the advice to give formula, if the child is currently breastfed. If there is a sensitivity to CMP any formula tried would need to be the right one to avoid this. Best wishes, Karen
Namste sir.
Hi I m yogesh. I m sleeping daily regular time. Whole night I left down to shouting my eyelids no thoughts in my mind. But I not feel that I have proper sleep. My job is computer work. No BP and no sugar patient.
I am sufferening from insomnia, Severe lack of sleep problem which also affects my overall health. I want to be suggested by a very useful homeopathic medicine along with its dose and period of usage.
Hi Adil, thanks for your question. Homeopathy can help in chronic insomnia. However there are many hundreds of homeopathic medicines for insomnia. The right one for you will be the homeopathic medicine that matches your history and individual experience. I recommend you seek out professional care. Best wishes, Karen
I am suffering from insomnia for last few years. Recently I am taking R 14 and gets some relief. But it is not continuous relief. I am generally taking bed at 11 p.m. but I can’t sleep not before 1.30 to 2 p.m.
Please advise for some medicine which makes me sleep within half an hour. Also advise me how long I can take R 14.
Hi, the choice of a suitable remedy for chronic insomnia would involve looking at your chronic case, including the whole timeline of your sleep difficulties, causative factors, and your medical history. For chronic sleep problems you will only obtain good results by working with a homeopath for professional care. Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen,
My daughter is 18 years old,since she was 11 she can’t go to sleep but now becomes worse.Her father left us with 3rd party,stress for school and her period is irregular.Please advice what homeopathy remedies can she take
Thank you
Maria
Hi Maria, thanks for your question. Self treatment can work well for acute insomnia (ie recent onset with a clear and recent cause), but a long term chronic insomnia needs professional care. The reason for this is that accurate matching of remedies is vital for success of treatment, and accuracy comes from matching the whole chronic symptom profile – including the personal health history, emotional factors and the exact nature of the insomnia. I advise you to find a local homeopath to work with. With best wishes, Karen
I read all the 12 conditions of sleeplessness . My conditions of sleeplessness did not match with any one. Do you suggest me something else.
Hi, the remedies listed are some examples among a very large number of remedies for insomnia, depending on your exact experience of the problem. If your case does not match any of these, you would need to see a homeopath to identify a remedy that will help you. Best wishes, Karen
Dear Karen Leadbeater, I am suffering from insomnia for decades ( 2 decades). I get light sleep for 1 to 2 hours with lot of dreams ) then wake up find it difficult to fall asleep again( takes almost an hour to fall asleep again ) .This happen 2 to 3 times every night and wake up finally at 3 to 4 before dawn. I am 72 + years. Please suggest me the right homoeopathic medicin, it’s strength and doses and duration. Regards
Hi Ashutosh, thanks for your question. For chronic insomnia of 20 years duration, you really need to consult a homeopath over a period of time for a detailed and personalised treatment plan. Unfortunately chronic insomnia is unlikely to be solved by one remedy, and you would need to have someone take a full case history before they can prescribe effectively for you. I recommend you consult a local homeopath and get started on some treatment. With best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen. I keep turning sides 4-5 hours after going to bed. My mind is always active therefore I can’t sleep. Sometimes I fall asleep only in the morning by 5 am. Then it becomes difficult to get up and go to work. Otherwise I lead active life and go for long walks in the evening. Please suggest me a medicine
Hi Rashmi, chronic insomnia needs professional care – I recommend you work with a homeopath. Best wishes, Karen
Tenho insônia q vem piorando a cada dia.
Gostaria de indicação de homeopata em São Paulo.
Obgd!
Hi Angela, if you are looking for a homeopath in São Paulo, you can look up the Associação Médica Homeopática Brasileira (AMHB) for a qualified practitioner. Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen,
I am taking allopathy tablet for sleep since few years. I want to discontinue allopathy and go on to homeopathy as it is not harmful or no side effects.
I will appreciate if you kindly suggest suitable homeopath medicine for me. I am 76 years male.
With regards,
Raghuvirsinh.
Hi Raghuvirsinh, thanks for your question. Chronic insomnia needs individualised professional care, especially as you have had the problem for a few years, and you also wish to withdraw from allopathic sleep meds. I recommend you find a good homeopath in your local area. Good luck and best wishes, Karen
Hi Doctor,
I wake up every two hours with dry mouth and have to drink water and have to go to the bathroom to pass urine. I had undergone a radical prostatectomy operation. Request medicine for this problem.
Thank you for your support
Hi, thanks for your question. This is a chronic problem which requires professional care – I recommend you contact a local homeopath. Best wishes, Karen
In every week 2or 3 days I have not sound sleep due to some anxiety or any thoughts about my family members even future plans. Besides if I sleep at noon any day that night I have to awake till whole night. My age is 53 and weight 86kg.I need your Homeo suggestions for good sleep .Thanks.
Hi, thanks for reaching out. It sounds as though this is a chronic long term sleep issue, and therefore it will need professional care with a homeopath. There are a great number of possible remedies, depending on your history and experience. Best wishes, Karen
I e been struggling with anxiety but have had bad reaction to antidepressants so had to come off now for past 3/4 weeks I can only sleep for 3/4 hours per night insomnia I desperate for sleep !! Can function day to day even if I take sleeping pills same 3/4 hours sleep
Hi Lynn, I would recommend working with a homeopath in this situation. I hope you find improved sleep soon. Best wishes, Karen
I have a homeopathic product that contains Aconite amongst other ingredients. It does say, non toxic Aco but I would just like reassurance its okay.
Hi Claire, homeopathic preparation involves dilution and succussion of the substance. Very many substances used in homeopathy (and historically, in conventional Western medicine) are highly toxic in crude form, and the process of homeopathic preparation renders them completely non toxic and safe for everyone, including babies. Check the potency on the bottle – it is best not to take quantities of low ‘X’ potency of Aconite and other poisonous plant remedies, such as 3X or 6X, as there will be a tiny amount of the original substance in the solution. Always best to follow the dosage recommendations on the remedy combination you are taking. Best wishes, Karen
Hi,
I’m suffering with insomnia,
I can’t fall asleep and when I do I am woken up by a dream not necessarily bad. My mind thinks it’s dangerous to sleep
Hi Virosha, if your insomnia is recent onset and has a clear cause, you can self treat using the information in my blog post. If it is longer term, or does not have a clear cause, it is advisable to work with a homeopath to get the best results. Best wishes, Karen
Hi Doctor, I am on antidepressant benzodiazepines and I want to taper and eventually stop it, as I had severe sleep issues with anxiety the above was prescribed but I don’t want to get used to it as it’s been 2 months now. Can Helios tablet help with benzo withdrawal as I previously tried tapering and it caused me bad symptoms like shock in chest during sleep and full day anxiety. Kindly suggest.
Hi Shirish, supporting benzo withdrawal would need professional care with careful monitoring. I recommend you work with a homeopath to help you with this. Good luck and my best wishes, Karen
Hi doctor,
I am taking aconitum napellus 30c , 10 drops teice a day for a month now. I discontinued its use for 2 days n i felt i could not sleep well .. is it possible that homeopathy can give me withdrawal effects?
Hi Farhan, I strongly advise you to discontinue this remedy. Homeopathy works by minimum dose principle – taking it daily on an ongoing basis can mean your symptoms get worse via overstimulation. Dosage should be according to your response – if after a very few doses there is no improvement in your symptoms, the remedy is not a good match and the remedy should be reconsidered. If the remedy helps you, it should be stopped on improvement, and repeated by minimum dose if symptoms return. If you are suffering from chronic insomnia you would do best to consult a homeopath for personalised care. Best wishes, Karen
HI
I have recent onset of insomnia from stress. Whie I am trying to reduce stress I want homeopath support. The stress is usually general like work related or seeing some accident around me etc. I cant sleep for 2 to 3 hours after going to bed and then I fall asleep but get up very early in the morning. Will Kali Phos be helpfu?
Hi Priyanka, thanks for your question. The information in my blog posts can be used to support general home treatment for recent onset acute conditions, including short term recent onset insomnia. You are welcome to use the remedy information and try out the remedy or remedies that seem to fit your situation best. It is best to take the remedies according to minimum dose principle: take a few doses over the first few days only – stop on improvement, repeat dose if symptoms return. If no change after the first few days, stop the dose and reconsider choice of remedy. The best way to have a high degree of confidence in the choice of the right remedy for you, is to see a homeopath to have your case taken in detail, which will give you a much more personalised remedy prescription. With best wishes, Karen
Dear Doctor,
Will Kali phos increase potassium or phosphate or phosphorous level in body ?
Hi Priyanka, Kali phos in potency does not increase physiological level of potassium or phosphorus in the body – it is an energetic signal or stimulus which assists the body to restore equilibrium. Best wishes, Karen
Thanks for clarifying so well doctor! I am from India .How do I consult you ?
Hi Priyanka, you can book an appointment with me via this link: https://karenleadbeater.co.uk/work-with-me/
Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen
Thank you for this and all your helpful posts.
My daughter who is 9 has been struggling with getting to sleep for a few months, mostly due to anxious thoughts which only materialise at bedtime. Nothing untoward has happened in the last year though I do think she’s now in puberty and her emotions have become a bit of a rollercoaster for her! She is generally of very sunny and kind disposition and has a big heart.
I wondered if aconite might suit her at bedtime but would welcome your advice given her age and life stage.
With many thanks
Hi Annabel, thanks for your question. When sleeping difficulties have been going on for a bit longer, without clear causative factors, homeopathic treatment is most effective when it is matched to the whole picture – including personal and family history, emotional factors, and of course the transition into puberty. With this in mind I would recommend you work with a homeopath to find a remedy or series of remedies to help your daughter. If you would like to consider working with me, I offer a free 30 minute discovery call so you can both meet me for a chat first: https://karenleadbeater.co.uk/work-with-me/
Best wishes, Karen
Dear Karen,I’ve been suffering from insomnia on and off for years.I am rather emotional and take to heart both happy and unhappy events.There is a personal issue connected with family relationships that cannot be solved.There is also hereditary insomnia on my mom’s side.
I’ve been trying various homeopathy remedies,plant remedies and also using Xanax.Unfortunately,now even Xanax doesn’t help.I am getting depressed because a sleepless night leads to problems with the heart,blood pressure,etc.Sincerely hope you can help.
A thousand thanks for your commitment.
Hi there, thanks for your question. You may find some relief from trying various remedies which are listed specifically for insomnia. However with a long term insomnia you would be likely to get the best results from working with a homeopath for a series of sessions. This way the homeopath will be able to work closely with you, building a picture of your whole state of health and circumstances, and prescribe a remedy that truly matches your experience. The remedy that is right for you may not be typically known as an ‘insomnia remedy’ but because it fits your whole profile closely it will be more likely to be effective for you. If you would like to consider working with me, you can book either a free discovery call or appointment for treatment via my website. Wishing you all the best, Karen
Great article!! Thank you!
Hi Crystal, glad you found it helpful. Best wishes, Karen
I have problems getting to sleep each night, I go to bed tired but the moment I try to sleep, I can’t at least for a couple of hours. I tried Valerian in the past but this bad affected my mood, would Helios Sleep offer some relief, Thanks
Hi David, Helios Sleep is a combination remedy, and for many people does seem to offer some short term relief, because the remedies in the combination represent a broad spectrum of those that typically help in acute insomnnia (Avena, Passiflora, Valerian and Coffea). However it should only be used short term, and if your insomnia is long term and without a clear recent cause, it is advisable to work with a homeopath to find remedies that match your individual case. Best wishes, Karen
My friend 63M has been experiencing poor sleep quality for several years. He typically goes to bed between 10-11 PM but wakes up around 4-5 AM and is unable to fall back asleep. During these early morning hours, his mind becomes preoccupied with unnecessary or intrusive thoughts, which contribute to feelings of anxiety that persist into the morning and afternoon.
Although he attempts to take naps in the afternoon to compensate for the lack of rest, he finds it difficult to fall asleep, which further exacerbates his anxiety.
Given these ongoing issues with sleep and anxiety, I would like to know whether using Aconite nd Kali phos would be an appropriate and safe option to help manage his symptoms?
Hello, thanks for your question. Your friend has long term chronic insomnia and anxiety – in this situation a remedy such as Kali phos may make a limited improvement, as it has a strong affinity for the nervous system, and especially in cell salt potency (6X or D6) works well as a nerve tonic. However, homeopathic treatment for chronic concerns needs a match to the whole chronic symptom profile, crucially this includes the original circumstances of the insomnia, the person’s very personal experience of this, and their whole health history and typical tendencies. This match is what gives good results in a chronic case. If the insomnia were very recent onset, and with a clear cause (eg exams, work deadlines, a particular incident that induced anxiety that was not there before), then self treatment can be effective because the picture is clear. I strongly recommend your friend works with a homeopath for a few sessions. Best wishes, Karen
Hello Karen,
Five months ago I started taking Levothyroxine. I immediately started having headaches and insomnia. I pushed through hoping the side effects would go away, but they did not. I stopped taking the medication. The headaches stopped but not the insomnia which I’ve had for 5 months. I have been taking Hylands Nerve Tonic in early evening to help me calm down. I take Hylands Calms Forte to help me go to sleep. Sometimes it seems to work and other times not. I will sometimes take Bach Rescue Pastilles to help. Am I doing this all wrong?
Hi Jennifer, thanks for your question. You are not doing anything wrong, however persistent insomnia brought out by hormonal treatment has a deeper chronic cause, and as such may be eased a little, but is unlikely to be resolved by ‘first aid’ type measures such as Hylands Calms Forte or Rescue Remedy. Chronic insomnia can often be helped by homeopathic treatment, but in this type of case it needs professional care – this is because the remedies chosen need to reflect your hormonal picture, health and personal history and family history to provide appropriate context for individual remedy choice. Best wishes, Karen