I just came across your post, a couple of years later.

Well, don't know if your friend's situation has been resolved but I had severe, severe insomnia for several years.

This is what took care of it for me immediately!!! with all natural remedies:

Products by Hyland Labs Homeopathic:

Nerve Tonic -
Calms Forte

and one 5 mg sublingual Melatonin all about half an hour before sleep. On the Hylands, one of them I take 2 of the tablets (can't remember which one) and the other I take 4 sublingualy under the tongue. Good luck.