Looking for a natural and safe supplement that will help you sleep peacefully? You can do so with the help of the best herbal sleep aids. Sleeping aids, in just a decade, have gone from a frowned upon medication to a commonly used pill.
According to recent studies, around one 3rd of the US adults are suffering from some type of insomnia and are reliant on sleeping aids. With so many people having to opt for sleeping medication, people tend to look for alternatives that lean more towards the natural and organic end.
Let’s take a look at the top best herbal sleep aids that will help you relax after a long, tedious day at work!
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
- Boosts cognition
- Improves sleep
- Enhances energy
- Natural melatonin
- Allergy-free
Performance Lab Sleep is one of the best herbal sleep aids in the market. It is full of natural, organic, and pure ingredients. The supplement is checked twice for high-quality purity. It is vegan-based and is free of pollutants.
The supplement comprises vitamins, nutrients, and minerals for improving cognition. It comes in the form of soft gels. The soft gels have no after taste and unpleasant smell. Melatonin in this supplement is obtained naturally from Tart Cherry.
Best Herbal Sleep Aids – Comparison Table
Best Herbal Sleep Aids – Product Reviews
Performance Lab Sleep is one of the best herbal sleep aids in the market. It is full of natural, organic, and pure ingredients. The supplement is checked twice for high-quality purity. It is vegan-based and is free of pollutants.
The supplement comprises vitamins, nutrients, and minerals for improving cognition. It comes in the form of soft gels. The soft gels have no after taste and unpleasant smell. Melatonin in this supplement is obtained naturally from Tart Cherry.
Melatonin maintains the sleep-wake cycle and improves your routine. The supplement averts fatigue, strain, stress, and anxiety. Once you start consuming the supplement, it is time to say goodbye to sleepless nights.
Low serotonin level promotes anxiety and low mood. The supplement contains 5-HTTP which boosts the serotonin level and elevates the mood. Performance Lab Sleep is free of metals, stabilizers, and preservatives.
The supplement also boosts mental clarity and memory. It contains non-GMO, dairy-free, plant-based, and nut-free ingredients. The product is cruelty-free as none of its mixings is tested on animals.
PROS
- Boosts cognition
- Improves sleep
- Enhances energy
- Natural melatonin
- Allergy-free
- Tested
- Relieves anxiety
- Boosts cognition
CONS
- None as such
Work, stress, anxiety, and hectic routine are some of the reasons you cannot sleep peacefully at night. In this supplement, Future Kind has combined exceptional ingredients which other vegan supplements lack. These ingredients work together in harmony, improving sleep quality.
This natural sleep aid helps the individual to sleep faster and enjoy a peaceful sleep at night. This supplement contains pure, natural ingredients. Just two capsules a day for a night of quality sleep! The natural melatonin in the supplement is effective in fighting against insomnia.
Moreover, it contains L-Theanine and 5-HTP that improves the quality of sleep. 5-HTP elevates the mood and makes you less stressed. L-Theanine on the other hand promotes relaxation and calmness for undisturbed sleep.
It contains other vegan herbs like valerian root, passionflower herb, and hops flower herb. The supplement is different from other natural sleep aids. It will not make you lazy. You wake up feeling energetic and fresh. It contains 100% vegan mixings. Moreover, the supplement is drug-free and free of synthetic ingredients.
The other natural sleep aids available in the market contain fewer natural ingredients as compared to the Future Kind Vegan supplement.
PROS
- Sleep fast at night
- Improves sleep quality
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Natural herbs
- Enhances immunity
- Supports digestion
CONS
- None
ZzzQuil is a pure, organic, and herbal sleep aid. The supplement is packed with natural herbs. It is very effective for sleep. You will enjoy continuous sleep at night. The supplement makes you sleep fast naturally.
It regulates the sleep-wake cycle and improves your AM and PM routine as well. The gummies are easy to swallow as they have no after taste and smell. Moreover, the supplement delivers high-quality and natural melatonin to the body.
Melatonin stimulates sleep naturally. It helps you wake up refreshed in the morning. The supplement will not make you feel low and dull. It contains a unique formula of a natural botanical blend of herbs.
Essential oils, lemon balm extract, lavender, chamomile, and valerian root are the main ingredients of the supplement. Valerian root is a very old herb used to treat insomnia. It has been a great help for enhancing the sleep cycle.
Essential oils provide relaxation to the body. It reduces stress, fatigue, and anxiety. Lemon Balm extract makes the gummies taste good. Lavender and chamomile are great botanicals for relaxing the body and mind.
The gummies are tested and certified safe to consume. It is free of artificial additives, dyes, sweeteners, and preservatives. The supplement is molecularly distilled and is free of toxins. Gummies have a natural mild vanilla flavor.
PROS
- Supports health
- Stimulates sleep-wake cycle
- Non-psychoactive
- Pure
- Gluten and lactose-free
- Free of toxins
- Drug-free
- No drowsiness
- A natural blend of herbs
CONS
- Expensive
Nature’s Bounty is an effective and drug-free sleep aid. The supplement is good for treating insomnia. It is a high-potency supplement with triple action. The supplement uses innovative technology in manufacturing. It delivers 10 mg of natural melatonin to the body.
L-Theanine is a very effective ingredient. It has multiple benefits for your health. L-Theanine improves cognition, calms your mind, reduces stress, and controls blood pressure. The supplement also contains a sufficient amount of lavender.
Lavender is key to the relaxation of the body and mind. It soothes the mind and clears out the toxins from the body. Chamomile is good for relaxation. It promotes calmness and prevents inflammation. Lemon Balm provides a good taste in the supplement.
Valerian root is a very ancient herb used to treat insomnia. It is a very effective herb for stimulating sleep at night. The supplement releases melatonin in the body and reaches the brain receptors quickly. It makes you fall asleep fast.
The supplement improves sleep-wake patterns. It helps to stay asleep for a long time. You can finally enjoy continuous and sound sleep at night. The company guarantees testing. They have been manufacturing sleep aid for over 50 years.
The supplement is free of metals, lead, toxins pollutants, and other harsh chemicals. Lab tests make sure that it is free of artificial additives, preservatives, pesticides, sweeteners, and dyes. The supplement is drug-free and non-habit.
PROS
- Vegan
- Stimulates sleep
- Supports health
- Laboratory test verified
- Calming botanical blend
- Fast release melatonin
- Improves cognition
- Dairy-free
CONS
- Expensive
Gaia Herbs has introduced effective herbal sleep aid. The supplement is efficient, pure, and natural. It provides good sleep support. The supplement is drug-free and non-habit. It is filled with innovative and pure ingredients.
Passionflower is one of the main ingredients of this sleep aid. It is a very good herb, especially for a woman. When women are going through menopause it reduces the symptoms. Passionflower is also a dietary supplement for releasing anxiety and stress.
It is the most used herb for hyperactivity disorder and also for treating burned skin. Ashwagandha is one of the ancient herbs with numerous health benefits. It prevents depression, boosts fertility, improves testosterone in men, and reduces stress.
Ashwagandha is also good for boosting cognition and other brain functions. Jujube is high in fiber and has a low-calorie count. It is present in a decent amount in the supplement. Jujube is a healthy snack, containing nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants.
It is also rich in vitamin-C and immunity-boosting minerals. The capsules are free of melatonin. It promotes calmness and relaxation in the body. The vegan capsules are tested in the laboratory. It contains natural ingredients that keep you fresh.
PROS
- Vegan
- Stress support
- Certified organic product
- Tested
- Improves sleep
- Low calorie
- Contains Vitamins
- Boosts cognition
- Supports the immune system
CONS
- None
Gaia Herbs Sound Sleep is an effective herbal sleep aid. The supplement is non-psychoactive and drug-free. It is packed with pure, organic, and efficient ingredients from a botanical garden. The supplement is free of melatonin.
Passionflower is its main ingredient. It is a good dietary supplement for releasing anxiety and stress. The ingredient prevents inflammation and chronic pain. It also reduces the symptoms of menopause and helps to reduce depression.
Skullcap is mostly used for treating insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, paralysis, and stroke. The ingredient is beneficial for high fever, maintaining cholesterol level, epilepsy, allergies, and infections. If you are dealing with aches and insomnia, then California Poppy is the solution.
The supplement is vegan-based and is tested. The company makes sure that liquid capsules are tested properly before packaging. It promotes calming and relaxing sensation in the body. The supplement is free of toxins, alloys, dyes, and other chemicals.
The other ingredients are Kava Root. It makes your brain feel relaxed and calm. The ingredient is efficient in preventing seizures and relieving pain. Your body feels relaxed and enjoys a restful sleep at night.
PROS
- Vegan
- Supports immunity system
- Boost cognition
- Sleep support
- Stress relief
- Pain relief
- Antioxidant
- Calming and relaxing
- Dairy-free
- Certified herbal mix
CONS
- Expensive
Natrol is a pure, organic, and herbal sleep aid. It is packed with natural and plant-based ingredients. The supplement boosts the sleep-wake cycle and regulates your routine. It is effective and manages the Sleep pattern very well.
The capsules are vegan and easy to swallow. Once you started taking the supplement. It will help you sleep fast and quickly. You will enjoy a sound and continuous sleep at night. Moreover, the ingredients will not make you lazy.
You will feel fresh in the morning. The supplement is drug-free and non-psychoactive. There will be no morning grogginess. The supplement supports the immunity system. Ingredients do not disturb the gut functions.
Natrol capsules release melatonin quickly and it reaches fast to the brain receptors. The supplement promotes relaxation and calmness. It is tested and verified safe to consume. The supplement is free of toxins, chemicals, and other pollutants.
The supplement is rich in Vitamin-A. It is good for preventing stress, anxiety, and depression. The supplement is dairy-free. There are no additives, preservatives, pesticides, dyes, and sweeteners present in the supplement.
PROS
- Vegan
- Herbal
- Stress relief
- Treats insomnia
- Supports the immune system
- Boosts cognition
- Improves sleep
- Drug-free
- Non-habit
- Tested
CONS
- Expensive
Now supplements are well-known in the market. It is packed with tested and verified safe to use ingredients. The supplement is good for preventing insomnia. The herbal mix of ingredients also prevents stress, pain, and anxiety.
The capsules are 100% vegan and free of gluten. It is a good choice for vegetarians. As the mixings of the supplement are free of dairy, soy, eggs, and sugar. It is a traditional herbal supplement for treating sleeplessness.
Valerian root is an ancient herb used to treat fatigue and insomnia. You can finally say goodbye to sleepless nights. The supplement supports a good night’s sleep. You will enjoy continuous and sound sleep at night.
The supplement is manufactured in a GMP-rated facility under strict observations. It meets all of the quality standards. The supplement is tested in the manufacturing facility as well as by a third party. It is free of alloys, toxins, and other chemicals.
PROS
- Vegan
- 100% herbal
- Contains vitamins
- Supports sleep
- Relief stress
- Toxin-free
- Laboratory tested
- High potency
- Drug-free
CONS
- Expensive
Avalife Sleep is a blend of herbal and natural ingredients. The supplement helps you sleep quickly and easily. You can consume the supplement peacefully without getting worried about habit-forming. It leaves no side effects on the body.
The supplement is drug-free and vegan. It boosts the sleep cycle and makes you enjoy continuous sleep at night. The supplement contains Valerian root. It is a very ancient herb used to treat insomnia. It is a very effective herb for stimulating sleep at night.
Basil extract in the supplement helps to release anxiety and depression. It enhances the ability to think clearly and lowers the risk of memory loss. Basil extract contains essential oils as well. These essential oils help to reduce pain and inflammation.
Avalife sleep contains jatamansi plant extract. It is a brain tonic that improves memory and cognitive functions. The ingredient also works as a good antioxidant ad flushes toxins out of the body. It also helps with anxiety and insomnia.
PROS
- Natural Sleep
- Vegan
- Stress relief
- Antioxidant
- Relieves anxiety
- Boosts cognition
- Dairy-free
- Parabens-free
CONS
- Expensive
Rescue is a vegan, pure, and herbal supplement. It is a USA verified product that meets all quality standards. The supplement is a good herbal sleep aid. It contains effective ingredients that help you sleep fast and naturally.
The supplement makes you stay calm and relaxed. You will enjoy a sound sleep at night. The body and mind will feel fresh in the morning. The ingredients help you regulate your sleep cycle as well as boost cognition.
The capsules are easy to swallow because of the mild orange flavor. However, the flavor is all-natural. The supplement is tested and certified safe to use. It is free of metals, lead, toxins, and other chemicals. The ingredients include White Chestnut and Flower essences.
The capsule is placed directly on the tongue as it melts. The liquid melts are non-psychoactive and drug-free. It will help to release stress and anxiety. The supplement boosts brain function, removes brain fog, and improves memory.
PROS
- Vegan
- Supports cognition
- Regulates sleep
- Non-habit
- Alcohol-free
- Dairy-free
- Improves memory
CONS
- Expensive
Best Herbal Sleep Aids - Buying Guide
Now comes the million-dollar question: How to choose the best herbal sleep aid? To help you to familiarize yourself with the herbal and natural sleeping aids and help you get to know the ingredients, we have put together this comprehensive guide.
Let's dive right into it!
Ingredients in Best Herbal Sleep Aids
The ingredients of any product really make or break the product. The working and efficacy of the product can easily be judged based solely on the ingredients. Let’s take a look at some of the commonly used and amazing ingredients to look for in your sleep aids.
Melatonin
We are pretty sure that all of us have heard of Melatonin at this point. But let's get to know melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates our circadian rhythm and sleeps wake cycle. This hormone is released from pineal glands, present right in the middle of the brain.
Melatonin is triggered by darkness and helps you get to sleep or at least get in the mood to rest. Most of the time, people suffering from insomnia have low levels of melatonin which then translates to tossing and turning all night.
The addition of a controlled amount of melatonin will help you get to sleep quicker and easier to get you a good night's sleep.
Valerian
Valerian has been used as a natural and herbal sleeping aid since Greek times. Valerian herbs, along with a mix of other herbs have been used as a sleeping aid for adults for quite some time. Although there are fewer studies done on the exact impact of valerian on sleep, it is a well-known fact that it does help with sleeping, mostly in adults.
There is a list of the most common side effects that people have experienced when consuming valerian for a long amount of time. These side effects include headaches, stomach problems, and excitability, etc.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an amino acid that plays a vital role in the sleep cycle. Tryptophan acts as a raw material for the production of melatonin which we read above helps very much by stimulating the sleep cycle. A good example of tryptophan is the drowsiness you experience after eating a good round of turkey on thanksgiving.
Although we have a lot of proof of tryptophan helping with insomnia, most of this proof is in theory. Tryptophan’s effect widely depends on its counterparts or other parts of your diet, hence, it is difficult to say for sure if it can help with insomnia.
GABA
GABA or scientifically known as Gamma-aminobutyric acid is a neurotransmitter naturally present in the brain. The addition of a controlled amount of GABA has been seen to help with insomnia. How so? GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps to relax the brain and block any unwanted nerves.
This in turn helps the brain soothe and drift into sleep. An improved amount of GABA is sure to help with insomnia. However, there is still a need for more reported research work. As of now, with whatever amount of work we have regarding GABA and its effects on insomnia, we can say that GABA has no serious side effects.
The only reported side effects are headaches and upset stomachs.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is also a naturally occurring amino acid and is commonly found in green tea leaves. L-Theanine has great potential to be used as an insomnia treatment, but as of now, there is still a great deal of research work required to prove this.
A study conducted in 2015 suggested that 200mg of L-Theanine dose will help you go to sleep. The working of L-Theanine is relatively different from other sleeping meds as it doesn’t knock you flat out. L-Theanine medications are, what we call, Anxiolytics. Anxiolytic meds are those that help reduce any sort of anxiety and can soothe your brain which in turn helps you sleep.
Glycine
Glycine is also an amino acid that has been speculated to have been effective in the treatment of insomnia. Glycine has yet to be proved with the solid and one-sided investigation that it can be used as an insomnia treatment. In theory, glycine has all the potential for good sleeping aid.
A study conducted in 2012 showed that glycine can be used to reduce fatigue and induce daytime napping. 3g of glycine was used along with placebos to see the real effect and real potential of glycine as a proper treatment.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an important mineral that helps with more than one bodily problem. Studies have shown that compromised amounts of magnesium in the body will, one way or another, contribute to insomnia. Magnesium deficiency links with insomnia were seen in older individuals and improved amounts of magnesium were thought to be a proper cure for the treatment of insomnia.
Magnesium is directly linked to insomnia. As magnesium works by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system that helps improve anxiety and helps your brain relax and be calm.
Kava Extracts
Kava is a pacific island native plant and has been recently found to help with sleeping issues. It doesn't directly help the sleep cycle, rather affects it directly. Kava helps soothe the symptoms of anxiety. As we know, insomnia is linked to hyperactivity of the brain at night which is a common side effect of anxiety. By reducing anxiety, Kava can help the individual sleep well at night.
Although it sounds great, Kava has yet to be neutralized and made safe for consumption. Kava has a grand list of side effects, so it is better to avoid anything with Kava extract as of yet.
Chamomile
We feel like, at this point in time, if you're not a chamomile fan then you are just lying to yourself. Other than having extraordinary taste and aroma, chamomile has a lot of healing and soothing benefits. One of these benefits is sleep cycle improvement.
Not only does it help soothe your brain, but it also helps to de-stress you which in turn helps you fall asleep quicker and easier. Chamomile does have a good list of side effects as it is quite floral and can trigger a lot of allergy. Other than that, chamomile also can interact with the other regular medications you may be taking.
Precautions Before Using Any Sleep Aid
Before buying any sleeping medication, without a doctor’s prescription that is, make sure to check a few things diligently. Although the idea of an all-natural or all organic sleeping pill or other aids seems amazing and all, but natural doesn’t always translate to better or even good.
Following are some precautions you need to consider before buying any set of sleeping pills.
- These sleeping pills will not have been subjected to the same amount of testing and monitoring that prescribed sleeping pills would be. This brings the problem of FDA approval. Most of the sleeping pills won't be FDA-approved.
- The label of all-natural or Over counter may make it seem like it's safe to be used, however. But, that's not true. These pills are still medications and could cause some serious side effects.
- The profiles of these medications are unknown. This means that there is almost no way of telling the healthy dose and risk factors of the product as it is not tested by the FDA.
FDA Approval
As mentioned above, FDA approval is not given to a lot of these natural sleeping aids which then translates to the fact that these pills are not rigorously tested in labs or other organizations. This leaves a lot of room for
- Several side effects
- Changes in the level of efficacy
- Interaction with other medications
A lot of the time, companies get away with their products not being FDA approved because the FDA takes a lot of time to approve or disprove something. This is because they are doing proper and in-depth testing on the product.
Another reason would be that a lot of sleeping aids are labeled as dietary supplements. For a dietary supplement, you do not necessarily need FDA approval. All the company has to do is write a detailed paper detailing all the ingredients, the manufacturing process, and packaging. This allows the FDA to save side products quicker.
Side Effects
Drug or a dietary supplement, everything will have some side effects and the same goes for natural sleeping aids. These side effects range from mild to moderate but are bound to jump to a serious outcome under some circumstances, like if you already have a severe allergy or if you are on regular medication. Instances like these require proper medical assistance.
Allergies are the most common side effects. As a lot of the ingredients are herbal, there is a good chance that someone might be allergic to that plant or pollen.
Improper doses of the sleeping aid, be it may natural or lab-made can lead to overactivity. This means that the sleepiness could be carried all the way into the morning. What this will do is make you even more grumpy in the morning.
Headaches and stomach issues are some of the most commonly noted side effects with natural sleeping aids and the extent of these side effects is usually mild to a minimum. But, these side effects also affect the liver in some cases. This can prove to be very much detrimental to health.
Best Herbal Sleep Aids - For Adults vs Children
In most cases, adults can handle sleeping pills. This absolutely doesn't mean that anyone and everyone should take sleeping pills. when you start taking pills, make sure to note the changes in your sleep pattern, moods, and overall health.
Keep assessing yourself so that you can discontinue the sleeping aid when/if you feel weird. There are a few kids-specific sleeping pills. there is not a lot of research work available on the effects of sleeping pills on kids.
This puts sleeping pills for kids in an unsure range. If you must, make sure to discuss with a pediatrician beforehand. Make sure that the dose is safe for the kid. Check all labels and ingredients list to be extra sure that nothing troublesome is in the medications or supplements.
Best Herbal Sleep Aids - FAQs
- Will sleeping aids cause dependency?
Most sleeping aids won’t. Look for a brand that directly states that their product won’t cause dependency. Once again, check the ingredients list and do your research.
- Do OTC sleeping pills really work?
Yes, they do work. But, they should be your last resort. They are not a solution to bad habits. They just help you sleep. Do not overdose, start small and discontinue if you feel serious side effects.
Best Herbal Sleep Aids – Final Word
Yes, sleeping aids work and can definitely help you get that good night's sleep that you've been looking for. Choose one of the best herbal sleep aids that we have recommended above to get a good night’s sleep!
Here’s to a safe, healthy you!
