Natural Sleep Remedies For Fibromyalgia

Published: // Updated: March 14, 2021

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Natural Sleep Remedies: Step 3: Improving Your Sleep
Treating sleep problems is an important part of easing fibromyalgia symptoms. Left untreated, sleep disorders can significantly affect your health. Here are some medicinal herbs and natural supplements that may help improve sleep for people with fibromyalgia.

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Herbs & Supplements That Can Help You Sleep

There are many herbs and supplements that can help you sleep. These products are available without a prescription in forms, such as pills, teas, and liquid supplements. The most recommended natural sleep remedies for fibromyalgia are:

  • Magnesium – Magnesium deficiency is one of the many problems in people with fibromyalgia. Magnesium deficiency may contribute to anxiety, restless leg syndrome (RLS), sleep disorders and muscle spasms. The best form of magnesium for sleep problems is Magnesium Glycinate. It helps increase the amount of melatonin your body produces. Magnesium Glycinate is one of the most readily absorbed forms of the magnesium.
  • Melatonin – Melatonin is a hormone that helps control your sleep and wake cycles. In one study, 3 mg of melatonin taken at bedtime improved sleep and reduced tender points in people with fibromyalgia. Research indicates that melatonin may help ease fibromyalgia pain. It helps prevent migraines, cluster headaches, and season affective disorder (a form of depression due to lack of sunlight). Melatonin has proved to be helpful for irritable bowel syndrome. The effective dosage varies from person to person.
  • Valerian – Valerian is a herb used for anxiety and sleeplessness. It has been used for thousands of years as a sedative. Valerian comes in capsule, tea, tablet or liquid extract forms. People taking medications for insomnia or anxiety, such as benzodiazepines, should not take valerian. (Note: a small percentage of people find valerian stimulating instead of sleep inducing.)
  • 5-HTP – 5Hydroxtryptophan is a building block of serotonin. 5-HTP appears to decrease the amount of time required to fall asleep as well as the number of night-time awakenings. Some studies show that 5-HTP may be as effective as some antidepressant drugs for mild to moderate depression. Researchers reported that 5-HTP may help to increase deep sleep and reduce fibromyalgia pain. But there are studies that show no benefit with 5-HTP at all. Do Not take 5-HTP if you are taking tramadol or antidepressant medications.
  • L-theanine – L-theanine is an amino acid found in the leaves of green tea. It is able to improve the quality of sleep, so you wake-up feeling rested and refreshed. Suntheanine is the purest form of L-theanine sold. L-theanine seems to lower blood pressure. You should not take it with high blood pressure medications. Also, L-theanine could make stimulant medications less effective.
  • Passionflower – Passionflower is a herb used to treat anxiety and insomnia. It can help relieve tension, fatigue, anxiety and sleep problems. Passionflower is available in teas, liquid extracts, and tinctures. It is often combined with valerian, lemon balm, or other calming herbs. Passionflower may interact with other medications. Read Possible Interactions with Passionflower before taking.
  • Lemon Balm – Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a calming herb. Several studies show that lemon balm combined with other calming herbs (such as valerian, hops, and chamomile) helps reduce anxiety and promote sleep. Lemon balm may interact with sedatives and thyroid medications.

Do your homework before trying any herbal remedy. Some herbs may counteract other prescription drugs. They can be dangerous if used in combination with alcohol or sedatives. Others may be dangerous when combined with antidepressants.

Using Aromatherapy for Sleep Problems

Certain essential oils may help promote relaxation and encourage better sleep. Inhaling or absorbing essential oils through the skin may influence brain chemicals involved in controlling sleep.

There are many ways to use essential oils to ease sleep problems. One approach is to massage your neck and shoulders with a relaxing essential oil blend. You could also shake three or four drops of a sleep-promoting essential oil onto your pillow. Or unwind with an essential-oil-enhanced bath before bedtime.

Five essential oils recommended to help you sleep are:

Some individuals may experience irritation when applying essential oils to the skin. Make sure to blend your essential oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut, jojoba or sweet almond oil) before applying it to the skin.

Have you tried any natural sleep remedies? If so, what have you found to be helpful?

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12 thoughts on “Natural Sleep Remedies For Fibromyalgia”

  1. I have had great success with melatonin. My sleep cycle has always been wacky, but thanks to melatonin it has evened itself out some. The only warning is that it can increase inflammation in some people, which is no good if that’s something you already struggle with!

    Reply
    • Hi Brittany. My sleep cycle has always been wacky, too. Melatonin doesn’t work for me on its own, I have to combine it with amitriptyline. Thanks for the warning, I didn’t know this but you are right. Even though melatonin has anti-inflammatory properties it has the opposite effect for some people, especially those with autoimmune problems.

      Reply
    • My husband has used melatonin for quite awhile. I think it helps, but it doesn’t work for me on its own. I have tried many of the supplements in this post and they would work for a short time and then I would be back to waking up several times a night. So I finally had to accept I needed medication for sleep.

      Reply
      • I agree. I need meds too, and I’m not going to apologize. I did natural stuff for years, and it worked for a while, like for you, or it worked somewhat.
        I do what I have to to do have the best, most alert and productive day I can, and I need meds as a part of that. I didn’t choose to get sick, but I am choosing to treat it as holistically and effectively as possible. For many, that involves medication.

        Reply
        • Hi, Riora. I took the medication route only in the beginning and then I took the all natural way. It takes a combination of both. Even when you think you have found the right combo it might have to be changed up at times. You are right -we have to do whatever it takes to have the best life we can without feeling guilty. I am so glad you feel that way.

          Reply
  2. I am also having a hard time sleeping. I don’t have insomnia, but I can’t sleep well because I am always distracted even in the smallest sound I heard. It really sounds weird. I tried different kind of strategies like listening to solemn music at still it doesn’t work. My father bought a noise machine so I can sleep well. According to him, it blocks all unnecessary sounds. As I observe it really works so far.

    Reply
    • Music doesn’t work for me either. I think it keeps me awake longer. Sound machines are great, though. I love the sound of the ocean, it is so relaxing. But I think white noise works the best for me.

      Reply
  3. Thank you for this, you seem to really know these kind of things. I used to have sleeping problems as well, caused by my job. I used to do night shifts. But, I agree with you that aroma therapy will work. It worked quite well for me! I would just like to ask about the supplements like melatonin. You see, I am quite afraid of taking supplements like the ones you mentioned above. From where do you think can I get supplements that are tried and tested to be safe? Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Hi, Emily. The safety of certain supplements depends on your health and any medications you are taking. I always do my own research and then talk to my doctor about any supplements I consider taking. You may also be interested in this post: Safety guidelines for buying supplemnets. I guess it would also depend on if the sleeping problems are a temporary situation or a chronic problem.

      Reply
  4. I’ve had Fibromyalgia for 15 years now. Even if I sleep 10 hours, I still wake up feeling like I never slept at all. I do take Lunesta plus a muscle relaxer. I do recommend trying a sleep aid called Dream Water. It only contains 3 ingredients natural to the body: Melatonin, 5-HTP & GABA. It really does help. Just be careful combining 5HTP with anti depressants as it affects your serotonin levels. Unfortunately the only pain medicine that ever helped (Opana) was forced to be discontinued.

    Reply

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