Herbal treatment of insomnia.

Full Abstract

Insomnia is a common problem requiring appropriate recognition and management. Despite recent advances in the development of newer hypnotics in western medicine, a significant proportion of patients with insomnia, both locally and internationally, consume herbal hypnotics regularly. The safety and efficacy of these herbal remedies remains uncertain. In this paper, details of different herbs used in western and traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of insomnia are reviewed. Although current data suggests the use of some herbal treatments in insomnia may be efficacious, further laboratory and clinical studies are required.

Author information

Author/s: Wing, Y K (YK);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Review

Journal: Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi / Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (Hong Kong Med J), published in China. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2001-Dec; vol 7 (issue 4) : pp 392-402

Dates: Created 2002/01/04; Completed 2002/02/21; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 11773674, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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