Bach Flower Rescue Remedy for Sleep

Dr. Edward Bach created his famous Rescue Remedy in the 1930s by combining five flower essences. With the addition of one more Bach flower essence, the recipe for Rescue Remedy Sleep was born. Some users swear this homeopathic insomnia cure sends them right to dreamland, while others say it doesn't work at all. If Bach's essences don't rescue you from wakefulness, never fear--there are lots of other natural sleep remedies you can try.

History and Ingredients

• Dr. Edward Bach created the Bach Flower Essences in 1930, after leaving a career in traditional medicine to explore homeopathy. He intended each of his 38 flower remedies to treat a certain emotion or state of mind. Rescue Remedy is a combination of five of these essences: impatiens, star of Bethlehem, cherry plum, rock rose and clematis. Rescue Sleep, a spray intended to help combat insomnia, contains these five ingredients plus white chestnut. According to Dr. Bach, impatiens' flower essence relieves impatience and any frustration or nervousness caused by this emotion. Star of Bethlehem works on trauma and helps you recover from shock. Rock rose assuages panic and fear. Cherry plum instills confidence and removes the fear of losing control of oneself. Clematis brings you out of your shell and helps you live in the moment instead of withdrawing into your thoughts. White chestnut halts repetitive, unwanted thoughts.

User Experiences

• Users' experiences vary when using Rescue Remedy Sleep. Some report that the flower-essence preparation helps them doze off almost immediately after using it. Others say it calms them but doesn't make them feel drowsy. There are some complaints about the taste. Rescue Sleep (and Rescue Remedy) contains alcohol, and people say the flavor has hindered their attempts to fall asleep or forced them to get out of bed to brush their teeth again, thus making them more alert than ever. One user reported that it helped her fall asleep but didn't help her stay asleep. She didn't recommend it for those who have problems with night waking.

Alternative Products

• There are many other herbal and homeopathic sleep aids on the market. Valerian root's sleep-inducing properties are well-known. Studies indicate it can help the user fall asleep more quickly, especially if taken every night for two weeks to a month. It's available in capsules and teas. If you use it for too long, however, it may actually keep you up at night.

  Kava kava is a sleep aid that's used around the world. It's the main ingredient of Fiji's national drink, and Polynesians have used it for centuries. It's habit-forming, so it's better to use it only for three weeks to a month.

  Herbal teas for sleep are available at traditional supermarkets, as well as at health food stores. They often contain the aforementioned valerian and kava, plus chamomile and, surprisingly, catnip. This last herb isn't only for feline calm; it turns out humans can use it to relax, too.