Insomnia: The Herbal Sleep Aid That Aims to Work in Just 30 Minutes

You may remember the product Seditol that we wrote about in the April 2005 issue that helps decrease cortisol levels, thereby helping you combat insomnia and it could possibly even be a key to anti-ageing.

But if youd rather take a slightly different approach, one that increases relaxation hormones as opposed to decreasing stimulating hormones, then Somamax may be a better option for you. Like Seditol, Somamax also contains zizyphus, but this formula also includes valerian, St. Johns wort, and schizandra extracts.

3 top herbs to help you get to sleep at night
Valerian is one of the most common insomnia-fighting herbs. A German study published last July explored the way it affects sleep by investigating its action when combined with caffeine. The study participants took 200 milligrams of caffeine orally, then researchers gave them either a placebo or a combination of valerian and hops (another herbal sleep aid). Every 30 minutes, the researchers took EEG readings for each subject and recorded the results. At the end of the study period, they concluded that the valerian/hop extract medication was capable of reducing or inhibiting the arousal induced by caffeine.1 

The preparation also contains St. Johns wort. St. Johns worts best-known use is as a natural alternative to prescription antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Like SSRIs, St. Johns wort helps boost serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is one of the primary mood-regulating hormones. But along with the mood-lifting effects brought on by increased serotonin levels also comes increased drowsiness. So this herb is reported to provide a better nights sleep and an all-round sense of calm, relaxation, and well-being especially when its combined with the other herbal ingredients in Somamax, valerian, and schizandra.

In the United States, schizandra is popularly used as a general tonic for decreasing fatigue, enhancing physical performance, and promoting endurance due to its effects and reputation as an adaptogen.2 Adaptogens are just what they sound like: substances that adapt to whatever the body needs help with. Schizandra also does this with sleep. It has been shown to help enhance the sedative effects of drugs, prolong duration of sedative-induced sleep, and is believed to neutralize the stimulating effects of caffeine and other amphetamines.

Please note that schizandra should not be used during pregnancy, except under medical supervision to promote uterine contractions during labour. Schizandra should also be avoided by those with peptic ulcers, epilepsy and hypertension. If you suffer from any of these ailments, you should not use Somamax.

Standardization guarantees consistent results
One of the things that sets Somamax apart from other herbal sleep aids is that it is claimed to work from the very first day, versus the one- to two-week span it takes some valerian-containing products to work.

Its manufactured by Kinetana (the same company that brought us Arthroxin, featured in the January 2005 issue), and one of the companys primary goals in developing each of its formulas is to control both quality of raw ingredients and the ratio needed to ensure effectiveness. In this case, they focused on valerian. Although this herb has been used for centuries to relieve insomnia, its effects can vary widely from brand to brand because of inconsistencies in manufacturing or even the valerian itself.

Kinetana uses its patented SimBioDas system to determine the exact amount of valerians active ingredients necessary for optimum effectiveness, and makes sure that each batch of Somamax contains that precise ratio. They use the same process for the other ingredients in Somamax ziziphus and schizandra as well. (For more on the SimBioDas system, please see the Arthroxin article in the January 2005 issue).

What to take for best results
Patients taking Somamax report that it works within 30 to 60 minutes and provides at least three to six hours of restful sleep. The recommended dosage is two capsules as needed, and there are 30 servings per container.

If youre currently taking an SSRI, warfarin, cyclosporin, anticonvulsants, or prescription migraine medication, check with your doctor before taking Somamax, since the St. Johns wort it contains can reduce the effectiveness of these drugs.

1. Planta Med 2004;70(7): 594-7
2. Liu GT. Pharmacological actions and clinical uses of Fructus schizandrae. In: Zhou J, Liu GT, Chen J, editors. Recent advances in Chinese herbal drugs-actions and uses. Beijing: Sci Press; 1991. p 100-11