Melatonin is a natural sleeping aid which is also a popular remedy to help people in falling asleep when their sleep/wake cycle has been disturbed. This is especially for shift workers or people who are having jet lag. Melatonin refers to a hormone which is found naturally in the body. The pineal gland which is located in the brain makes serotonin which gets converted into melatonin at night when the exposure to light reduces.
Melatonin is a natural sleeping aid which is typically taken about half an hour before the desired bedtime. But this natural sleeping aid should not be used by people who are suffering from depression, schizophrenia, autoimmune diseases, as well as other serious illness. Also, pregnant and nursing women should avoid using melatonin.
Kava refers to a natural sleeping aid which is basically an anti-anxiety herb. It can be helpful in the case of anxiety-related insomnia. But there is also the potential risk of severe liver injury which may result from the use of dietary supplements which contain the natural sleeping aid, kava.
Relaxation technique is also an effective natural sleeping aid in order to increase sleep time, as well as to fall asleep faster, besides feeling more rested in the morning. These tend to require a minimum of 20 minutes before your bed time. There are various different techniques in this, including visualization. This natural sleeping aid includes imagining a relaxing scene, which you can try in bed just before you fall asleep. Involve all your senses in this visualization. The more vivid your visualization is and the more senses that you involve, the higher will be its effectiveness.
Relaxation response is a natural sleeping aid which is based on the principles of Transcendental Meditation. Mindfulness is another type of meditation which basically involves focusing on your mind on the present.