Sleep. It’s necessary for good health, for life itself—just as much as the air we breathe and the food we eat. In fact, sleep has been referred to as the “foundational pillar of health.” While drifting off for a good night’s slumber comes easily to some of us, for others … Read More
There was a period of time in my life where I listened to the same CD every night as I fell asleep. The gentle songs immediately soothed me into a relaxed state, helping me to fall asleep faster. When I am having trouble sleeping or am in an unfamiliar environment, … Read More
Insomnia is now at epidemic levels. Up to half of Americans are wondering how to beat insomnia and suffer from at least one of the four cardinal insomnia symptoms: Difficulty falling asleep Inability to stay asleep Waking up in the early morning Experiencing nonrestorative sleep Almost a quarter of the … Read More
I am someone who requires a lot of sleep to get by. With a history of migraine headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome, getting regular sleep – and lots of it – is important to me and helps me feel better. I have many friends, however, who can get by on … Read More
As a doctor, I hear this question a lot. When a patient asks me, “Why am I tired all the time?” I think of inflammation. It may surprise you, as it does many of my patients, that you could have a problem with inflammation and not even know it, and … Read More
In the summer, I love rubbing the leaves of herbs from our garden under my nose to breathe in the various, pleasant aromas. One of my favorites has always been lemon balm, which releases a nice, fresh lemon scent. While many of us might recognize lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) from … Read More
If you toss and turn at night and then feel lethargic during the day, using natural remedies for insomnia can help. The No. 1 reason people experience daytime fatigue is due to an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. As many as one in three people suffer from … Read More
Sleep apnea is best known for snoring, but did you know that there are a multitude of other sleep apnea symptoms that you might not know about? If you’ve been dealing with symptoms like dry mouth, headache, or even depression, sleep apnea might be to blame. Finding effective sleep apnea … Read More
If you’ve ever screeched to a halt to avoid an accident and felt your heart race and your breathing quicken, you’ve felt some of the effects of norepinephrine, a key player in the fight-or-flight response. But that’s not all norepinephrine does. This neurotransmitter (in the nervous system) and hormone (in … Read More
Lavender is believed to have an exotic history dating back as far as 2,500 years. The ancient Greeks commonly referred to lavender as Nard, after the Syrian city of Naarda. The Romans used lavender—much like we do today—as a pleasing aroma for linens, soaps, and shampoos. In fact, the name … Read More
