Hi. Not sleeping very well just now. After the stroke I was getting some good sleeps. But this last couple of weeks it’s not been great. Before I see Dr next week. Has anyone tried any herbal remedies to help then drift off and get a good night’s sleep. Or are they no good or not allowed on the medication given after a stroke. Just wondering has I don’t want to be given sleeping tablets if herbal medications worth trying. Obviously I will talk to Dr before I try it. Thanks
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Some people swear by Lavender oil on their pillow to help them sleep. I am allergic to it so have never tries it but I know my sister uses it and rates it.
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I have tried camomile and valerian, both are ineffective for me personally, I’ve heard tulsi can be relaxing. Keeping the room cool can help and waking up to natural sunlight, a bit of a challenge over Winter when it is so cloudy. I haven’t tried any of the herbal sleep formulas though.
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Hi Gnasher,
I have used chamomile tea in the past which has helped, also I find a relaxing bath with epsom salts and lavender oil helps.
Hello Gnasher - My first instinct is to think what has changed in the last couple of weeks that might be causing disturbed sleep. You say you were getting good sleeps post-stroke, so has something changed? It may be some form of stress or something?
A couple of other things to consider
Are you getting enough physical activity?
Are you being exposed to computer/phone screens?
Other than that, I can suggest you might want to make sure you don’t drink caffeine a few hours before bedtime and then you can drink warm milk (I drink horlics) which may help.
Do you take catnaps?
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@Gnasher Chamomile tea works for me .But I do not sleep that well anyway, but I accept that as I drink 2 litres of water a day, so its expected that I will wake up or there will be very messy bed lol. Good luck, but the tea is good and makes you feel so relaxed.
Thanks for the comments so far. Never been a great sleeper. And often go through bouts of great sleeps and bad sleeps from time to time. One can’t help the stress with what happens to the brain / body. But I think I’m coping relatively well. The ideas mentioned I will try. Although the smelly ones 
will not help with my sensitive nose. But the tea worth giving a go.
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I read that a teaspoonful of honey at bedtime helps with sleep, either in warm milk or a cuppa, I haven’t tried it myself though I don’t sleep well myself, mine is through hip pain, after a couple of hours I wake up and have to find a more comfortable position.
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@caltlover Yes I have tried the honey and it is so relaxing. Best of luck 
Hi @Gnasher,
I can empathise with you, I used to be a very sound sleeper before having my stroke, now not so much…
I try and avoid being on any screens before bed time & always find I sleep better if I’ve been outside in the fresh air during the day.
I now take a supplement every night called ‘Deep Sleep’ which includes Chamomile, Tart cherry, Passionflower, Lavender and Californian Poppy. I live in New Zealand & these are from here, but I’m sure you can find something similar.
I am lucky as I now have help and guidance from an online naturopath and she checks if they are compatible alongside my medication I am on.
Another thing I swear by is MAGNESIUM OIL. I rub it on my feet every single night just before I go to sleep. Good luck in finding/trying something that works for you.
Regards, Alice 
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Hi
I really struggled with lack of sleep during the first couple of years post stroke so can really relate. I have found Neuronight very beneficial, all natural ingredients including a natural source of 5htp which produces serotonin. For the last 2.5 months I have been using Lifewave patches and am sleeping deeper as well as longer. My stroked brain needs more support with sleep than before and I wouldn’t touch sleeping pills.
With blessings
Valerie
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Hi @Gnasher
I struggled with sleep for some considerable time post-stroke, so I can empathise. I, too, didn’t want to use sleeping tablets, so I shared the issue with a friend who was a tremendous help. She (Heather Bestel) produced a CD (I expect it’ll be available as MP3, or whatever is the most up-to-date format) called, ‘Deep Sleep’, a half-hour listening session which helped me greatly.
I have a friend who, recently, had a similar sleep problem, so I recommended this. I looked out my CD to pass it on to him, but decided I would have a listen to it before passing it on. I don’t remember anything after the first ten minutes of it, so I guess it still works for me!!!
You’ll find it online if you’re interested.