Nightmare Health Dictionary

There are three main groups of SLEEP disorders:

Parasomnias These include medical disorders such as ASTHMA, ANGINA PECTORIS or EPILEPSY which are made worse by sleep, and a range of behavioural alterations which are usually related to a speci?c sleep stage or to a change from one state of sleep to another. Sleepwalking, night terrors, and nightmares are examples.

Insomnia Insomnia is de?ned as a di?culty in initiating or maintaining sleep. It affects around 15 per cent of the population at any one time, and is often due to a poor pre-sleep routine (e.g. taking excessive stimulants such as ca?eine); unsatisfactory sleep due to poor environments such as an uncomfortable bed or a cold or noisy bedroom; anxiety and/or depression; or occasionally to a physical problem – for example, pain – or a medical disorder associated with sleep such as obstructive SLEEP APNOEAS or periodic limb movements.

Excessive daytime sleepiness This is usually due to sleep deprivation caused either by inadequate duration of sleep, or by poor quality of sleep. The individual’s lifestyle is often a cause and modi?cation of this may relieve the problem. Other common causes of excessive daytime sleepiness are depression, obstructive sleep apnoeas, periodic limb movements, excessive alcohol or other drug intake, and, less commonly, NARCOLEPSY.... sleep, disorders of

St. John’s Wort Tea is an herb that makes serotonin (the happiness substance) to remain active in the brain for an extensive period of time. It is used today in the fight against depressions and sleep problems. Description of St. John’s wort tea St. John’s Wort Tea is a perennial plant that grows throughout North America, Europe, India, China and Brazil. It has bright yellow star-shaped flowers. St. John Wort Tea is a renowned herb used as a natural anti-depressant all around the world. The Greeks used to soak the plant into wine before drinking it to cast away evil spirits. Nowadays we see these dangerous spirits in serious headaches and acute depressions. Benefits of St. John’s Wort Tea St. John’s Wort Tea can be used as a treatment in mild to moderate depression according to British Medical Journal. In the herbalist’s pharmacy St. John Wort Tea was considered a very strong herbal sedative and it was used in accordance with the patient’s own suffering.   St John’s Wort tea has minimal or no effects beyond placebo in the treatment of major depression according to National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Recently scientists discovered that St. John’s Wort Tea has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Risks of St. John’s Wort Tea St. John’s Wort Tea shouldn’t be mixed with other antidepressants because they cancel each other. If you get an unexpected rash, a headache or even nausea you should call you doctor at once. Side effects of John’s Wort Tea The side effects that St. Jonh’s Wort Tea can have, similar to placebos, are: gastrointestinal symptoms, sedation, tiredness, confusion or dizziness. It can also increase a sensibility to light and to sunburns. Preparation of St. John’e Wort Tea You can find St. John’s Wort Tea in ready made tea bags and loose leaf teas. Put one teaspoon in a cup of boiling water, let it steep for almost 5 minutes, strain and serve preferably hot with honey or sugar. St. John Wort Tea is a great medicine for depressions, it offers you a sense of well being, brings more peace into your life and it relaxes your mind. Drink a cup of St. John wort tea and forget about your nightmares.... st. john`s wort tea

Wood Betony. Stachys betonica. Betonica officinalis L. German: Betonien. French: Be?toine. Spanish: Beto?nica. Italian: Betonica. Dried herb.

Action: Affinity for liver and nervous system. General tonic (emphasis on circulation of the brain). Bitter. Stomachic, Sedative (mild).

Uses: Headache, nervous debility, lack of energy, loss of memory, weak digestion, sciatica, chronic rheumatism, sinus congestion, temporal arteritis (temporary relief), dizziness, hiatus hernia, low back pain (to reduce). Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Nightmare.

Combinations. With Valerian for anxiety states. With equal parts Agrimony and Raspberry leaves as a substitute for domestic tea. With Vervain to enhance its relaxing properties.

Caution. Avoid over-dosing in pregnancy.

Preparations: Tea: 1-2 teaspoons to cup boiling water; infuse 5-10 minutes. 1 cup freely. Liquid Extract: 1 teaspoon in water.

Tincture BHP (1983) 1 in 5 in 45 per cent alcohol. Dose 30-90 drops (2-6ml). ... betony

A cardioselective beta-blocker drug that is used to treat angina pectoris and hypertension and to relieve symptoms of hyperthyroidism. It is also given after a myocardial infarction to reduce the risk of further damage to the heart. Adverse effects of metoprolol include lethargy, cold hands and feet, nightmares, and rash.... metoprolol

Behavioural problems range from mild, short-lived periods of unacceptable behaviour, which are common in most children, to more severe problems such as conduct disorders and refusal to go to school. Behavioural problems may occasionally occur in any child; specialist management is called for when the problems become frequent and disrupt school and/or family life. Some behavioural problems can occur whatever the family or home situation. In some cases, however, stressful external events, such as moving home or divorce, may produce periods of problem behaviour.

Behavioural problems that are common in babies and young children include feeding difficulties (see feeding, infant) and sleeping problems, such as waking repeatedly in the night. In toddlers, breath-holding attacks, tantrums, separation anxiety, and head-banging are problems best dealt with by a consistent and appropriate approach. Problems with toilet-training are usually avoided if the training is delayed until the child is physically and emotionally ready.

Between the ages of 4 and 8, behavioural problems such as nail-biting and thumb-sucking, clinginess, nightmares, and bed-wetting (see enuresis) are so common as to be almost normal.

They are best dealt with by a positive approach that concentrates on rewarding good behaviour.

In most cases, the child grows out of the problem, but sometimes medical help may be needed.... behavioural problems in children

A group of drugs given for short periods as sleeping drugs for insomnia and to control the symptoms of anxiety or stress (see tranquillizer drugs). Common benzodiazepines include diazepam, which is used as a tranquillizer, and nitrazepam, which is sometimes used for insomnia. Benzodiazepines are also used in the management of alcohol withdrawal and in the control of epilepsy.

Minor adverse effects of benzodiazepines include daytime drowsiness, dizziness, and forgetfulness. Unsteadiness and slowed reactions may also occur. Regular users may become psychologically and physically dependent; for this reason, the drugs are usually given for courses of 2–3 weeks or less. When the drugs are stopped suddenly, withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, restlessness, and nightmares may occur. Benzodiazepine drugs are sometimes abused for their sedative effect.... benzodiazepine drugs

(PTSD) an anxiety disorder caused by a major physical or emotional trauma, such as an injury, assault, rape, or exposure to warfare or a disaster involving many casualties. The onset is at least one month after the traumatic event. The patient experiences the persistent recurrence of images or memories of the event, together with nightmares, insomnia, a sense of isolation, guilt, irritability, and loss of concentration. Emotions may be flat and depression may develop. The condition usually settles with time, but support and skilled counselling may be needed. More severe cases may be treated by *eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), *cognitive behavioural therapy, *antidepressants, and in severe cases also with *antipsychotics.... post-traumatic stress disorder

Artemisia absinthium

FAMILY: Asteraceae (Compositae)

SYNONYMS: Common wormwood, green ginger, armoise, absinthium (oil).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A perennial herb up to 1.5 metres high with a whitish stem, silvery-green, divided leaves covered in silky fine hairs, and pale yellow flowers.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia; naturalized in North America. It is extensively cultivated in central and southern Europe, the USSR, North Africa and the USA, where the oil is mainly produced.

OTHER SPECIES: There are many other Artemisia species such as davana and the Roman wormwood. See also entry on mugwort (A. vulgaris) also commonly called ‘armoise’; remedy for epilepsy and as an aromatic stewing herb to banish fleas.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: Used as an aromatic-bitter for anorexia, as a digestive tonic and as a choleretic for liver and gall bladder disorders, usually in the form of a dilute extract. It is also used to promote menstruation, reduce fever and expel worms. It was once used as a remedy for epilepsy and as an aromatic stewing herb to banish fleas.

ACTIONS: Anthelmintic, choleretic, deodorant, emmenagogue, febrifuge, insect repellent, narcotic, stimulant (digestive), tonic, vermifuge.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the leaves and flowering tops. (An absolute is occasionally produced by solvent extraction.)

CHARACTERISTICS: A dark green or bluish oil with a spicy, warm, bitter-green odour and a sharp, fresh topnote. The ‘de-thujonized’ oil blends well with oakmoss, jasmine, neroli, lavender and hyacinth.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Thujone (up to 71 per cent), azulenes, terpenes.

SAFETY DATA: Toxic. Abortifacient. Habitual use can cause restlessness, nightmares, convulsions, vomiting and, in extreme cases, brain damage. In 1915 the French banned the production of the drink Absinthe with this plant, due to its narcotic and habit-forming properties.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE None. ‘Should not be used in therapy either internally or externally.’.

OTHER USES: Occasionally used in rubefacient pharmaceutical preparations and as a fragrance component in toiletries, cosmetics and perfumes. Widely employed (at minute levels) as a flavouring agent in alcoholic bitters and vermouths; also to a lesser extent in soft drinks and some foods, especially confectionery and desserts.... wormwood