What is the difference between melatonin and an herbal sleep drink?

Melatonin is a hormone your brain makes in response to darkness, and supplements add to that timing signal. An herbal sleep drink is a blend of plants traditionally used in the evening and contains no hormone. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says melatonin may help with jet lag and shift work, while the evidence for herbs like chamomile and valerian is limited or inconsistent.

Melatonin has clearer evidence in specific situations. NCCIH says studies of 142 to 234 travelers suggest it may reduce jet lag symptoms, and a 2018 trial of 307 people with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder found it helped them fall asleep about 34 minutes earlier. For chronic insomnia, NCCIH says there is not enough strong evidence to recommend it.

Herbs such as chamomile and valerian root are not hormones, but their evidence for sleep is mixed. Herbal does not mean risk-free, and valerian, for example, should not be taken with alcohol or sedatives.

Noddie Night is an herbal sleep drink and contains no melatonin. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.

Source: NCCIH - Melatonin: What You Need To Know

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Noddie Night is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This page is general information, not medical advice.