Insomnia herbal products

Five patients developed altered consciousness after taking the herbal product Relaxir for insomnia and restlessness, produced mainly from the fruit of the passion flower (3). 

Valerian is an herbal sleep remedy that has been studied for its sedative-hypnotic properties in patients with insomnia. The mechanism of action of this herb is still unknown, but it may involve inhibition of the enzyme that breaks down y-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The recommended dose for insomnia ranges from 300 to 600 mg. An equivalent dose of dried herbal valerian root is 2 to 3 grams soaked in 1 cup of hot water for 20 to 25 minutes. As with melatonin, and other herbal products not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), valerian is not regulated for quality or consistency. 

Herbal substitutes for dru [s of abuse A variety of herbal mixtures are offered for sale in magazines, on the internet and in so-called smart , eco or head shops. Many are marketed as herbal Ecstasy and the plants included in the formulations include Yohimbe bark, Kava-Kava (Piper methysticum),Y-3 e.emi, Hops, Jaborandi and Alisma. One product contains Kava-Kava, Guarana, Uva Ursi and Cascara bark. Many of the products sold as herbal Ecstasy contain either Ephedra sinica (Ma huang) or the Indian plant Sida cordifolia which both contain the alkaloid ephedrine (see R03c, Chapter VI). Other alkaloids may also occur, such as pseudoephedrine, norephedrine and norpseudoephedrine. The side-effects of ephedrine include tachycardia, anxiety, insomnia and arrythmias and a hypotensive crisis may develop if monamine oxidase inhibitors are also taken. Many adverse reactions and more than 20 deaths have been attributed to ephedrine and Ephedra consumption. Research conducted in the US shows that the daily intake of some Ephedra products would give ephedrine levels well above the recommended therapeutic doses. 

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