If your patients are asking about alternative remedies for insomnia, you may want to look into the studies compiled in this article by ABC Health & Wellbeing.
Evidence: There is some evidence that valerian is helpful in people with insomnia as well as women with sleep disturbance during menopause.
Early research into valerian’s sleep-enhancing properties was promising, with some research suggesting it was as effective as sedatives (benzodiazepine drugs) for insomnia, however other studies are more negative.