What Other Women Say

I have never written one of these before, but after the birth of our daughter 8 months ago I was having a hard time getting to sleep. Guess my body was all messed up after all the getting up in the middle of the night. Anyhow I tried your Sleep formula and I’m happy to say I am now getting a great sleep. I will definitely recommend your product to my friends.

Kristin
Halifax, NS

Magnolia bark for reducing stress
Magnolia bark, known as HOU PO, has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine since 100 AD for emotional distress, low energy and other related symptoms. It has been found to normalize cortisol levels associated with stress. One constituent, honokiol, has been found to benefit the central nervous system, but is neither hypnotic nor narcotic in nature. A combination of magnolol and honokiol has been found to inhibit acetylcholineasterase activity, reducing symptoms of anxiety and neurosis. A recent clinical trial suggests Magnolia bark is extremely safe. (Fukuyama et al, Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2002; Chen et al, Am J Chin Med Fall 2000; Watanabe et al, Planta Medica 1983 ; Maruyama et al, J Nat Prod 1998 ; Kuribare et al, J Pharm Pharmacol 1999 ; Liu et al, Regu Toxicol Pharmacol 2007)

Blue Scullcap for promoting sleep, easing worry and anxiety
Scullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) has been traditionally used for nervous over-excitement, or restlessness. It relaxes nervous tension, as well as fortifying the nervous system. Scullcap encourages the brain to produce endorphins which not only promote sleep, but ease worry and anxiety. Blue Scullcap contain the flavones baicalein and baicalin, associated with nervine and sedative properties as well as scutellarein.A double blind, placebo controlled study demonstrated anti-anxiety effect from Blue Scullcap in healthy humans. (Rogers, R. Sundew Moonwort 1999; Wolfson et al, Altern Ther Health Med 2003)

Lemon Balm for reducing sleep disturbance
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) has been used traditionally for sleep disturbance, nervous sleep disorders, tenseness, irritability and nervous breakdown. Studies indicate that Lemon Balm eases insomnia through two complementary mechanisms, including stress associated with new environments and additive effect with sleeping pills. (Soulimani et al, Plant Medica 1991)

Passionflower for relieving mental worry
Passionflower leaf extracts are used for restlessness, wakefulness and insomnia associated with mental worry and overwork. ESCOP, the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy, recommends passionflower for treating nervous tension, restlessness and irritability with difficulty in falling asleep. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated a sedative effect in healthy female volunteers. In a pilot, randomized, double blind, controlled trial, the herbal extract was found as efficacious as oxazepam (a benzodiazepine drug) for generalized anxiety, with lower impairment of job performance. Other studies indicate both safety and efficacy in difficulty falling asleep. (Schulz et al, Phytomedicine 1998; Akhondzadeh et al, J Clin Pharm Ther 2001; Soulimani et al, Ethnopharm 1997; Sopranzi et al, Clin Ther 1990; Galliano et al, J Phytother 1994; Capasso et al, Acta Ther 1995; Paladini et al, J Pharm Pharmacol 1999)

5 HTP for improved quality of sleep
5 HTP, derived from Griffonia simplicifolia is a key neurotransmitter associated with sleep, mood, anxiety and body temperature. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and affects hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal activity by stimulating the CNS synthesis and release of serotonin. A number of studies have looked at the relationship of 5 HTP, or 5-hydroxy tryptophan and improved sleep patterns. One study found an increase in REM sleep by 25% and an increase in deep sleep stages three and four, without increasing total sleep time. (Soulairac-Schweiz et al, Rundsch Med Prax 1988; De Giorgis et al, Drugs Exp Clin Res 1987; Kahn et al, Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1987; Birdsall et al, Altern Med Rev 1998)

Amur Bark for relieving stress
Amur Bark (Phellodendron amurense) known as HUANG PO in Traditional Chinese Medicine, contains magnoflorine, candicine, mensperine, obaculactone and berberine. Berberine may modulate the central dopaminergic system. Combinations of constituents found in Magnolia and Amur bark have been found to relieve stress. One study has found that sleep improved by 74%. (Lee et al, Evid Based Compl Alt Med 2007)

Avena sativa for improved nerve health
Neuravena, derived from a proprietary acession of Avena sativa, has significant effect on nerve health. Two enzymes inhibit MAO B and phosphodiesterase 4, associated with anti-depressant and cognitive enhancement capabilities. MAO B is responsible for metabolizing dopamine and levels in the brain are important for mental health. Inhibition is associated with mood enhancement and neuro-protective properties. (Riederer et al, Curr Med Clin 2004)

L-theanine for improved quality of sleep
L-theanine, an amino acid derived from Green tea, has been found in a number of clinical trials to reduce anxiety. It increases brain alpha waves and decreases beta wave activity. Several studies indicate improved quality of sleep. (Nathan et al, J Herb Pharmacother 2006; Kimva et al, Biol Psych 2006; Eschenauer et al, Am J Health System Pharm 2006; Song et al, The Korean Nutrition Society 2003; Juneja et al, Trends in Food Sci Tech 1999).

Melatonin for causing drowsiness.
Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, a gland about the size of a pea, located in the center of the brain. The melatonin signal forms part of the system that regulates the circadian cycle by chemically causing drowsiness and lowering the body temperatureMelatonin (5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine) has been well studied for its benefit in jet lag, sleep disorders and the immune system. Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland at night, while during the day it produces serotonin. Some of the studies have looked at delayed sleep and its benefit, while a number have looked at sleep patterns in the elderly. (Dugan et al, Chronobiol Int 1998; Dahlitz et al, Lancet 1991; Nagtegaal et al, J Sleep Res 1998 Kayumov et al, Psychosom Med 2001; Haimov et al, Sleep 1995; Haimov et al, Drugs Ageing 1995; Garfinkel et al, Lancet 1995; Garfinkel et al, Arch Gerontol ; Geriatr 1997; Zhdanova et al, J Clin Endocrin Metab 2001; Siegrist et al, J Pineal Res 2001)