Bach: Original Flower Remedies (Rescue Night)

Insomnia has been with me ever since I could remember. As a child, I would still be awake while others were already in dreams. I went to school and usually felt very sleepy by noon. But somehow, I've managed to live with it. Maybe because we get to relax and use our air conditioning practically 24/7 if we wanted to.

But nowadays, due to budget costing, we seldom get to relax in the comfort of a quiet and cooled room with a thick and warm comforter. Most of the time we only use an electric fan and leave our huge windows open. Meaning, I can hear all the noises outside-- the tone deaf people singing till their lungs burst, my grandma's demonic pet Doberman, my uncle's basketball + foul mouthed players, and not to mention the other irritating sounds brought by cars, road construction, crazy neighbors, etc.

And so, I've decided to try alternative measures to help myself relax and fall asleep when I need it. I take Melatonin tablets.

Aside from that, occasionally, I take a healthy dose of antihistamine or cold medicine (the one that will make you sleepy) whenever I need to sleep quickly-- for me to be able to wake up the next day for a very early schedule.

My aunt, who also has a problem with sleep due to work related stress suggested I use Badger Sleep Balm. An all organic remedy for insomnia. But somehow, I found it ineffective. It only leaves my face oily and sticky.

A few weeks ago, my aunt suggested another brand. She gave me a bottle of Bach: Rescue Night (in dropper) 

  

"It is a combination of the five Bach™ Original Flower Essences found in RESCUE® plus the Bach™ Original Flower Essence of White Chestnut. White Chestnut has traditionally been used to help switch off the mind from unwanted, repetitive thoughts. These flower essences combined in RESCUE® Night to help you enjoy a natural night's sleep. Alcohol-free, RESCUE® Night is suitable for all the family to use."

 Ingredients:

So far so good, after taking it for 3 consecutive nights, I've managed to sleep quite well. Last night, I did not even have the need to take it for me to feel sleepy. Hopefully, this all natural drug will be consistent with its effect. My only concern now is the price. Compared with a bottle of Melatonin with 300 tablets, a 10ml bottle of Bach's Rescue Night will be much more expensive. And I am not sure if this is available in our local market. According to my aunt, the set was given to her as a gift.

Price: $16 (w/o shipping)

http://www.bachrescuesleep.com/ 

Schiff Melatonin Plus - Review

Another over the counter sleep aid that is available in leading drug stores nationwide are called: Melatonin. But my favorite brand is Schiff, because the price value and the amount/content per bottle.

I bought my share in Cash and Carry (where the prices are much lower) for about 500 pesos (i think) per bottle. It contains 300 tablets of 3 mg Melatonin with 25 mg of Theamine.

It is categorized as Dietary Supplement.

Melatonin is a natural brain hormone that helps us feel sleepy. Melatonin is usually secreted in our brain when we are in total darkness, hence, we fall asleep. Now for people like me who have insomnia, our Pineal gland does not secrete much Melatonin to even make us drowsy. Or our Pineal gland takes/requires a longer time to produce enough Melatonin to finally put insomniacs to slumber.

I've been taking Melatonin (different brands) for more than 3 years now. And it's quite effective. It does not give me total sleep--I still wake-up a couple of times in the middle of the night or early in the morning, but during the day, the lack of ample sleep doesn't take the toll on me. I feel much more relaxed (although nothing compared to; with a a full night's rest)  maybe it is due to the added substance from Schiff, the Theanine w/c is found in green tea that has calming and stress relief properties.

The only negative issue I found in taking Melatonin is that; you will frequently have vivid dreams, weird dreams and in some other cases... nightmares! I wonder why?

In some other countries like in the USA and in some part of Europe, Melatonin as been added into the controlled substance category. Meaning, you cannot buy one without a doctor's prescription. Hopefully, they won't implement such here in the Philippines. Especially, when have a lot of call center people (with damaged body clocks) who needs sleep.

Melatonin is not addictive! Based on my experience, your body and eyelids will just feel heavy. You will have the feeling of tiredness from an all days work. That's it! No feeling of floating, flying, spinning, etc. YOU WON"T GET HIGH! ^_^

But of-course, it would be best to consult your doctor before taking any form of drug, whether prescription or as a dietary supplement.

To read more about Melatonin, follow this link: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/melatonin-000315.htm

Two articles featured Melatonin in the PhilStar:

The Benefits of Melatonin 
Melatonin Enhances Sleep and Boost Energy


RATING:
5 out of 5 Jumping Sheep!


YEAHBOY!

Badger Sleep Balm - Review

Being an insomniac, anything that would help me fall asleep at night will surely entice me!

During a visit at my aunt's, we asked her a favor (since she frequents Rustan's)--to purchase us a couple of Badger Anti-Bug Balms when she decides to replenish her stock. That's the time she mentioned another Badger product called the "Sleep Balm"

Based on my tita's (auntie) experience with the product -- it helped her sleep. According to her explanation and description (which sounded like an exaggeration) the Sleep Balm seemed to have made her feel very sleepy that, as if, her head was being pulled  to her pillow. That's how sleepy she felt.

Now, being so ever desperate to get some good night's sleep or even some forty-winks, I got eager and asked her to get me one as well.

After a few days, we got our orders. I was so excited to try the Sleep Balm. So later that night, before going to bed, I applied a little (as instructed) on my temples, face, neck and upper lip. Then I lay down and waited (for that sinking/pillow pulling sensation). But it never happened. It's almost an hour now since I applied the balm, and I'm still wide awake. So I decided to apply more on my face. This time I used a generous amount, until my face was sticky and oily.

Half an hour past and I am still wide awake! I think it does not work...for me at least.

The next day, I made a research and found a youtube video regarding the same balm. And for the girl in the video--it made her fall asleep! According to her, she did not budge throughout the night, and she woke up late. That's how sleepy she got.

She also mentioned that she is not sure if the Sleep Balm would work on people with Insomnia. Then I realized, "oh, that's why!"

I'm still not losing hope. I've only used this product for like 5 times now. I thought, maybe, the full effect is hidden below the fist few layers of the balm. That maybe, what I was applying on my face was just beeswax and not enough of those ingredients that wold make me fall asleep.

Anyway, it also says at the back: "use it regularly and expect results". Hopefully, by the tenth time, it would work like magic. But for now, I will combine the balm with another sleep aid product called: Schiff Melatonin Plus.

Ingredients: *Olea Europaea (Extra Virgin Olive) Oil, *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), Essential Oils of *Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot), *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Verbenone), *Zingiber Officinale (Ginger), *Abies Balsamea (Balsam Fir) and CO₂ Extract of Zingiber Officinale (Ginger).

* = Certified Organic


You can only buy this in Rustan's Department Stores.

Price: Php 495.00  per 56g / 2 oz


RATING:

T.B.A.!