One of the safest medicinal herbs, chamomile is a soothing, gentle relaxant that has been shown to work for a variety of complaints from stress to menstrual cramps. This herb has a satisfying, applelike aroma and flavor (the name chamomile is derived from the Greek kamai melon, meaning ground apple), and it's most often taken as a delicious, mild therapeutic tea. Concentrated extracts of chamomile are also added to healing creams and lotions or packaged as pills and tinctures. The reason so many herbs are beneficial in the treatment of sleep disorders is that herbs are synergetic. They work on one problem, for instance a digestive disorder or nervous tension - and by relieving that problem they improve the entire functioning of the body and lead to other improvements, such as better sleep.