Several natural remedies may help you to sleep better, including melatonin, magnesium, and valerian root. But even natural sleep aids should not replace good sleeping habits.
Getting a good amount of sleep is incredibly important for your health.
Sleep helps your body and brain function properly. A good night’s sleep can help improve your learning, memory, decision-making, and even creativity (1Trusted Source, 2, 3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source, 5).
What’s more, getting insufficient sleep has been linked to a higher risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity (6).
Despite this, many people don’t get enough sleep each night and around 20% of adults experience occasional symptoms of insomnia (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).
Getting good quality sleep often starts with good sleep practices and habits. However, for some people, that’s not enough.
If you need a little extra help to get a good night’s sleep, consider trying the following 10 natural sleep-promoting supplements.
1. Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone your body produces naturally that signals to your brain that it’s time to sleep (9Trusted Source).
Time of day influences this hormone’s cycle of production and release — melatonin levels naturally rise in the evening and fall in the morning.
For this reason, melatonin supplements have become a popular sleep aid, particularly in instances where the melatonin cycle is disrupted, such as jet lag (10Trusted Source).
Several studies report that melatonin improves daytime sleep quality and duration. This is particularly beneficial for individuals whose schedules require them to sleep during the daytime, such as shift workers (11, 12Trusted Source).
Melatonin may improve overall sleep quality in individuals with sleep disorders. Specifically, melatonin appears to reduce the time people need to fall asleep (known as sleep latency) and increase the total amount of sleep time (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).
While some other studies have not found that melatonin has a positive effect on sleep, they are generally few. Those that have observed beneficial effects generally provide participants with 3–10 milligrams (mg) of melatonin before bedtime.
Melatonin supplements appear to be safe for adults when used for short periods, although more research is needed on their long-term effects (15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).
Furthermore, melatonin is not recommended for people who are pregnant or nursing, because there is limited research on its safety and effectiveness (15Trusted Source).
2. Valerian root
Valerian is an herb native to Asia and Europe. Its root is commonly used as a natural treatment for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and menopause.
Valerian root is also one of the most commonly used sleep-promoting herbal supplements in the United States and Europe (17Trusted Source).
However, study results remain inconsistent.
Menopausal and postmenopausal women have seen their sleep quality and sleep disorder symptoms improve after taking valerian, according to one research review (18Trusted Source).
Another small study found that taking 530 mg of valerian per night for 30 days led to significant improvements in sleep quality, latency, and duration compared with a placebo in people who had undergone heart surgery (19Trusted Source).
A study in 39 people undergoing hemodialysis found that taking 530 mg of valerian root before bed for 1 month improved sleep quality, anxiety, and depression compared with a placebo (20Trusted Source).
Nevertheless, most observed improvements in these trials and studies were subjective. They relied on participants’ perception of sleep quality rather than on objective measurements taken during sleep, such as brain waves or heart rate.
Other studies have concluded that valerian’s positive effects are negligible at best. For instance, it may lead to a small improvement in sleep latency (21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source).
Regardless, short-term intake of valerian root appears to be safe for adults, with minor, infrequent side effects (17Trusted Source).
Despite the lack of objective measurements behind valerian, adults may consider testing it out for themselves.
However, the safety of valerian remains uncertain for long-term use and use in certain populations, including people who are pregnant or nursing.
3. Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral involved in hundreds of processes in the human body, and it’s important for brain function and heart health.
In addition, magnesium may help quiet the mind and body, making it easier to fall asleep (23Trusted Source).
Studies show that magnesium’s relaxing effect may be partly due to its ability to regulate melatonin production. Magnesium is known to relax muscles and induce sleep (24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source).
Many forms of magnesium supplements are available, including some that combine magnesium with other sleep-promoting ingredients such as glycine or melatonin.
One study found that a combination of magnesium, melatonin, and vitamin B was effective in treating insomnia regardless of the cause (26Trusted Source).
Magnesium also appears to increase levels of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain messenger with calming effects (27Trusted Source).
Studies suggest that insufficient levels of magnesium in the body may be linked to troubled sleep and insomnia (25Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source).
On the other hand, increasing your magnesium intake by taking supplements may help you optimize the quality and quantity of your sleep.
One review of three studies in older adults found that magnesium supplementation could help reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep compared to a placebo (29Trusted Source).
It’s worth noting that this review focused on older adults, who may have had lower blood magnesium levels to start with. It’s uncertain whether these effects would be as strong in individuals with a higher dietary magnesium intake.
In another study, supplementing with 250 mg of magnesium and melatonin for 8 weeks significantly improved sleep quality in people with polycystic ovary syndrome (30Trusted Source).
However, more research is needed to understand how magnesium supplements could impact sleep when taken alone.
4. Lavender
The lavender plant can be found on almost all continents. It produces purple flowers that, when dried, have a variety of household uses.
Moreover, lavender’s soothing fragrance is believed to enhance sleep.
In fact, several studies suggest that simply smelling lavender oil shortly before sleep may be enough to improve sleep quality in those with or without insomnia (31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source).
A small study in older adults with dementia also suggests that lavender aromatherapy is effective at improving sleep disturbance symptoms. Participants’ total sleep time increased, and fewer people woke up very early and found themselves unable to get back to sleep (33Trusted Source).
Another study found that lavender aromatherapy improved sleep quality and reduced anxiety after 15 days in 60 people with coronary artery disease (34Trusted Source).
Though lavender aromatherapy is considered safe, the oral intake of lavender has been linked to nausea, belching, and diarrhea in some cases. Essential oils are intended for aromatherapy, not oral ingestion (35Trusted Source).
It’s also worth noting that only a limited number of studies are available on the effects of lavender supplements on sleep. Thus, more research is needed before strong conclusions can be made.
5. Passionflower
Passionflower, also known as Passiflora incarnata or maypop, is a popular herbal remedy for insomnia.
The species of passionflower linked to sleep improvements are native to North America. They’re also currently cultivated in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Passionflower’s sleep-promoting effects have been demonstrated in animal studies. However, its effects in humans appear to depend on the form consumed (36Trusted Source, 37Trusted Source).
One older study in humans compared the effects of a passionflower tea with those of a placebo tea made from parsley leaves (38Trusted Source).
Participants drank each tea about 1 hour before bed for a period of 1 week, taking a 1-week break between the two teas. Each tea bag was allowed to steep for 10 minutes, and researchers took objective measurements of sleep quality.
At the end of the 3-week study, the objective measurements indicated that participants had not experienced improvements in sleep.
However, when they were asked to rate their sleep quality subjectively, they rated it around 5% higher following the passionflower tea week compared with the parsley tea week (38Trusted Source).
In a recent study of people with insomnia, those who took passionflower extract over a 2-week period saw significant improvements in certain sleep parameters compared with a placebo (39Trusted Source).
Those parameters were:
- total sleep time
- sleep efficiency, or the percentage of time spent sleeping as opposed to lying awake in bed
- wake time after sleep onset
Though more studies are needed, it’s worth noting that passionflower intake is generally safe in adults. For now, it seems that passionflower may provide more benefits when consumed as a tea or extract as opposed to a supplement.
6. Glycine
Glycine is an amino acid that plays an important role in the nervous system. It may also help improve sleep.
Exactly how this works is unknown, but glycine is thought to act in part by lowering body temperature at bedtime, signaling that it’s time to sleep (40Trusted Source).
In one 2006 study, participants experiencing poor sleep consumed 3 grams (g) of glycine or a placebo immediately before bedtime.
Those in the glycine group reported feeling less fatigued the next morning. They also said their liveliness, peppiness, and clearheadedness were higher the next morning (41Trusted Source).
A 2007 study also investigated the effects of glycine in participants experiencing poor sleep. Researchers took measurements of participants’ brain waves, heart rate, and breathing while they slept.
Participants who took 3 g of glycine before bedtime showed improved objective measures of sleep quality compared with the placebo group. Glycine supplements also helped participants fall asleep faster (42Trusted Source).
Glycine also improves daytime performance in individuals who are temporarily sleep deprived, according to one small study from 2012.
Participants had their sleep restricted for three consecutive nights. Each night before bedtime, they took either 3 g of glycine or 3 g of a placebo. The glycine group reported greater reductions in fatigue and daytime sleepiness (43Trusted Source).
You can buy glycine in pill form or as a powder that can be diluted in water. Taking up to 0.8 g per kilogram of body weight per day appears to be safe, but more studies are needed. Many sleep study participants took only 3 g per day (44Trusted Source).
You can shop for these supplements on Amazon.
You can also increase your glycine intake by eating foods rich in the nutrient, including (45Trusted Source):
- animal products such as bone broth, meat, eggs, poultry, and fish
- beans and legumes
- spinach
- kale
- cabbage
- fruits such as bananas and kiwis
7. Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound derived from hemp, which is featured in many products including oils and capsules (46Trusted Source).
Because it contains low amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the psychoactive compound in cannabis — using CBD products doesn’t cause the same high as other cannabis products (46Trusted Source).
Interestingly, some studies have found that CBD could relieve anxiety and act as a natural sleep aid.
For instance, one review of 34 studies concluded that CBD could help alleviate symptoms of insomnia when used alone or with equal amounts of THC (47Trusted Source).
Another study in 72 people with anxiety found that using CBD enhanced sleep quality and reduced anxiety within the first month in nearly 67% and 79% of participants, respectively (48Trusted Source).
On the other hand, a 2020 research review concluded that more high quality research is needed before CBD can be routinely recommended for the treatment of sleep disorders (49Trusted Source).
Note that there is also limited research on the long-term safety of CBD and it is not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding (46Trusted Source).
Furthermore, CBD is still classified as a controlled substance in some states, so its legality may vary depending on where you live (46Trusted Source).
8–10. Other supplements
There are many additional sleep-promoting supplements on the market. However, not all are supported by strong scientific research.
The following supplements may be beneficial for sleep but require more scientific investigation:
- Tryptophan: One review of four studies found that taking at least 1 g of tryptophan per day could help improve sleep quality and reduce the amount of time participants spent awake in the middle of the night (50Trusted Source).
- Ginkgo biloba: According to older studies, consuming around 240 mg of ginkgo biloba 30–60 minutes before bed may help reduce stress, enhance relaxation, and promote sleep. Animal studies are also promising (51Trusted Source, 52Trusted Source, 53).
- L-theanine: Consuming a daily supplement containing up to 200 mg of L-theanine may help improve sleep and relaxation. Animal studies suggest it may be more effective when combined with GABA or magnesium (54Trusted Source, 55Trusted Source, 56Trusted Source).
Kava is another plant that has been linked to sleep-promoting effects in some studies. It originates from the South Pacific islands, and its root is traditionally prepared as a tea. It can also be consumed in supplement form (57Trusted Source).
However, kava use has been linked to severe liver damage, potentially due to low quality production or adulteration. Some countries, such as Germany and the United States, have temporarily banned kava in the past or issued an advisory about its use (57Trusted Source).
Proceed with extra caution before using kava. Only buy supplements that have been certified by a reputable third-party organization.
Other over-the-counter (OTC) options
Diphenhydramine and doxylamine succinate are other OTC sleep aids. They’re both antihistamines.
- Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in allergy medications such as Benadryl. Its primary use is not as a sleep drug, but it causes drowsiness and has been used to promote sleep. It is also found in ZzzQuil, Unisom SleepGels, and Unisom SleepMelts (58Trusted Source).
- Doxylamine succinate is the active ingredient in the sleep aid Unisom SleepTabs. It’s also found in Nyquil. Like diphenhydramine, it causes drowsiness (59Trusted Source).
The evidence in favor of either ingredient as a sleep aid is weak. Many experts also recommend against diphenhydramine and doxylamine succinate, with some saying that they are potentially unsafe for certain populations, including older adults (60Trusted Source, 61Trusted Source).
Other side effects may include dizziness, falls, and cognitive impairment (60Trusted Source).
Long-term use of OTC sleep aids can lead to drug tolerance. Over time, the use of anticholinergics, such as antihistamines, may increase your risk of dementia (62, 63Trusted Source).
If you’re interested in trying these sleep aids, occasional use is recommended, as more research is needed on their long-term safety and effectiveness (64Trusted Source).
However, people with respiratory conditions, high blood pressure, or heart disease should avoid both of these drugs altogether. They may induce a nervous system reaction that leads to tachycardia, or an elevated heart rate (65Trusted Source).
Older adults, especially those with liver or kidney issues, should not use diphenhydramine because they are at an increased risk of experiencing negative side effects (62).
Risks and precautions
Reach out to a healthcare professional before using any herbs or OTC medications for sleep, especially since there is a potential for drug interactions with medications such as blood thinners.
Also, let a doctor know if your sleep issues last longer than 2 weeks.
Many OTC sleep aids cause only minor side effects. However, it’s important to be cautious since relatively little is known about the long-term effects of some of them.
Side effects that have been associated with specific sleep aids are listed below. Some of these side effects were reported only anecdotally or in a few studies or were observed only in people who received high doses:
- Melatonin: minor side effects such as headache, nausea, and dizziness (15Trusted Source)
- Valerian root: diarrhea, headache, nausea, and heart palpitations (17Trusted Source)
- Magnesium: diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting when taken in high doses (66Trusted Source)
- Lavender: nausea, belching, and diarrhea (35Trusted Source)
- Passionflower: dizziness and confusion on rare occasions (67Trusted Source)
- Glycine: soft stools and abdominal pain on rare occasions (68)
- Tryptophan: mild nausea and vomiting (69Trusted Source)
- Ginkgo biloba: mild and rare side effects such as diarrhea, headache, nausea, and rash (70Trusted Source)
- L-theanine: no confirmed or direct side effects when taken alone; diarrhea and abdominal pain when combined with L-cystine (71)
In general, people who are pregnant or nursing should speak with their doctors before trying these or any other supplements. These populations should avoid most supplements since there’s little research to confirm that they are safe during these life stages.
Magnesium, glycine, and tryptophan are all important to fetal development, and you do not have to avoid them if you’re pregnant or nursing. However, a healthcare professional will still need to advise you of the proper dosage to avoid potential side effects (72Trusted Source, 73, 74Trusted Source).
FAQs about natural sleep aids
Are natural sleep aids effective?
Certain natural sleep aids, such as melatonin, are effective. Other herbal supplements, such as valerian root and passionflower, have shown mixed results.
While some studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that natural sleep aids may be helpful, more research is needed to say for sure.
Are natural sleep aids safer than prescription sleep aids?
Natural sleep aids like those discussed in this article are generally considered safer than prescription sleep aids because they have fewer side effects.
Still, it’s important to choose a quality product from a reputable brand because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate herbal supplements in the same way as medications.
Look for products that are tested by an independent lab for heavy metals, toxins, and contaminants to ensure safety. You may also want to consider purchasing supplements produced in third-party certified facilities.
Additionally, even natural sleep aids are intended to be a short-term solution. If you’re regularly experiencing trouble sleeping, it’s best to talk with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying conditions.
Are OTC sleep aids safe?
Diphenhydramine and doxylamine succinate are antihistamines that are sold over the counter. While they’re sometimes used as sleep aids, that’s not their primary use.
There is not strong evidence that they work well as sleep aids, and they may cause side effects.
Older adults, especially those with kidney or liver issues, should not use diphenhydramine.
It’s best to avoid taking OTC sleep aids regularly, since doing so can lead to dependence or tolerance. If you do use them, do so only occasionally and for no more than 2 weeks at a time. Be sure to talk with a healthcare professional if you’re regularly experiencing trouble sleeping.
The bottom line
If you’re interested in trying out these supplements, you can find most of them online in various forms.
Keep in mind that high quality sleep is just as important for overall health as eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly.
Nevertheless, many people have trouble falling asleep, wake up frequently, or do not feel rested when they wake up. This makes it challenging to maintain optimal health and well-being.
Before taking any medications, try incorporating good sleep practices into your routine, such as keeping electronics out of your bedroom and limiting caffeine intake before bedtime.
The supplements above are one way to increase the likelihood of getting restful sleep, but they’re probably most effective when used in combination with good sleep practices and habits.
