Natural insomnia remedies????

Hi, this is the first time I have posted here but I am at my wits end over insomnia issues and really looking for some good advice on possible natural sleep aids. I am not a fan of prescription sleeping pills, tbh they are scary, so I was hoping someone could recommend the best natural remedies they have had some good experience with? I have heard a little bit about valerian and hops but not sure?

I started taking Natural Rest which was recommended to me by a friend who knows a lot about herbal supplements etc.. and it actually works quite well.

Here's the ingredients

Valerian
Ashwaghanda
Hops
Calcium
Zinc
Vitamin B-12
Melatonin
​Lavender

It will depend as well on what the insomnia is down to. I have occasional sleep problems coming out of anxiety. The remedy I take contains hops and also motherwort which I think might be the relevant ingredients. But that's me and my biochemistry. People vary. I didn't get far with the Valerian [from another product which didn't do a thing.] Some people do swear by it.

I'm glad you've found something that's helping, though. I'd suggest cycling it if possible. [Taking a couple of days off a week. Or a week a month.] Just so your body doesn't adjust too quickly to the ingredients. And render it less helpful again.

I cannot agree with Ada enough about needing to cycle what you take. Eventually the body is going to expect it, and if you decide to take it away, it may be even more difficult to sleep. Secondly, eventually the body is going to adapt, which means that you get no real benefit from it.

Sleep difficulty has many reasons

Anxiety
No fixed schedule
Improper diet
Not getting enough sun light during day
Exercising late in the evening

I can name probably 10-20 reasons but they are mostly related to each other and generally there would be more than one reason for insomnia. For e.g. No fixed schedule and improper diet and not getting enough sun light for shift workers

I like to drink a few cups of Sleepy Time tea, which can be bought at most grocery stores or at any place that sells tea. My favourite brands are Celestial and Bigelow. They're both fairly cheap.
Another thing you can try is exercises like jogging or yoga, but only 6 hours before bed time.
No electronics before bed, as the light stimulates the brain.
Don't eat for 4 hours before bedtime, as digestion keeps you up.
I'm very very cautious so I don't drink any caffeine at all but generally you don't want to have caffeine 5 hours before bed time (chocolate has caffeine in it, sadly.)
Some insomnia cases are caused by stress and anxiety, so try a long, hot shower and meditation, or reading a book or writing a story before bed time. Also, try not to work for about 2 hours before you head to sleep, as the two hours should give you enough time to stop thinking about work and relax a little. Also, when you can't sleep you usually get frustrated and, thus, stressed. Whenever that happens close your eyes and count to 10, inhaling deeply before you say the number and releasing your breathe as you say it, and if that doesn't work continue reading or writing. Just try to relax, even if relaxation seems impossible.
I personally take benadryl before bed as I'm under 18 and my doctor doesn't want to prescribe anything that can get me hooked. It's non-prescription, completely safe, and it has Diphenhydramine, which is a medicine that makes you fall asleep. That stuff can be bought at dollar tree, rite-aid, etc, so it's not like it's illegal or dangerous or anything like that.

Anyways, that's all I can think of at the moment, but if you try all those things together it should work. It generally works for me. Anyways, best wishes, and good luck. I know from personal experience that insomnia can be severely frustrating but remember, life goes on, and even if you don't get enough sleep, there's always coffee. Thanks

Warm beverages sometimes help me. Chamomile tea or hot chocolate usually work pretty well. I also know that I can't usually fall asleep unless I turn the TV on. Sometimes watching a movie a few hours before bed tires my mind enough. Sometimes a snack before bed helps me. I know that some of these things are things that make it worse for some people, but they work for me. If they work for me, they might work for you, too. I'm not a fan of Melatonin. I once took some melatonin dissolvables that made my tongue itch. It was... weird. Prayers before sleep sometimes help me, too. Please don't think I'm trying to push my religion on anybody; I'm not, but I just thought that maybe prayers to your religion's god(s) or goddess(es) might help you sleep.

Tell us how our ideas work out for you

Try these Natural Remedies
1. Have a Comfortable Sleep
2. Limit Caffeine and Alcohol
3. Keep a Normal Schedule
4. Valerian Medicine

Tibetan Herbal Supplements has a product called "Sleep Assist" I've not used it personally but a friend purchased it for her son and is very pleased with it. Hope it helps.