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People who are regularly kept awake at night due to constant worries over work deadlines, relationship problems or other stressful life events might find relief in the herbs kava and valerian.

When received individually, these herbs help to reduce stress levels and insomnia with only minor side effects, which included vivid dreams and dizziness. Participants reported that both herbs significantly help to relieve overall stress and insomnia. The study showed that kava and valerian were effective at relieving stress itself and insomnia caused by stress.

Twenty-four adults suffering from stress-induced insomnia received 120 mg daily of kava for six weeks. After two weeks off treatment, the remaining group of 19 individuals (five had dropped out of the study) received 600 mg of valerian daily for another six weeks. On average, the participants had suffered from insomnia for more than 15 years.

With each treatment, 58 percent reported no side effects. But 16 percent said they had vivid dreams after taking valerian and 12 percent said they experienced dizziness with kava.

Phytotherapy Research (September 2001;15:549-551) mentioned that researchers interviewed study participants and measured levels of stress associated with social, personal and life events before and after treatment. Social stress included problems at work and with social contacts; and personal stress involved emotional problems and relationships with other people. Life-event stress involved specific events.