Are herbal sleep aids safe to take every night?

Question

Noddie Night · Accepted Answer

Safety every night depends on the herb, and long-term safety is not well studied for most of them. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says valerian is generally safe for most adults in the short term, at 300 to 600 mg daily for up to 6 weeks, but its long-term safety is unknown. Its ashwagandha page says short-term use up to 3 months seems safe. Natural does not automatically mean safe.

Chamomile tea is likely safe in the amounts commonly found in teas, though allergy is possible. Valerian can cause headache or stomach upset, and abrupt stopping after long use has rarely been linked to withdrawal symptoms. Ashwagandha has been linked to rare liver problems.

NCCIH also points out that the FDA cannot review supplements for safety before they are sold, and that labels do not always reflect what is in the product. Choose brands carefully and read the warnings.

If you feel you need something every night for more than a few weeks, raise it with your doctor, since ongoing sleep trouble can have causes worth checking. Talk to your doctor first if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication (especially sedatives) or have a medical condition.

Are herbal sleep aids safe to take every night?

Read more on noddienight.com

Related questions