Sleep Support

What this is. A blend of melatonin, calming herbs and amino acids, taken half an hour before bed to help you fall asleep.

2 mg of melatonin per two-capsule serving, and it is the smallest number on the panel as well as the only one that matches the amount used in research. The six herbs around it are listed at 100 mg to 150 mg each, which is modest for whole herbs.

What you are actually getting, per 2 capsules

• Valerian — 150 mg
• Chamomile — 100 mg
• GABA — 100 mg
• L-Tryptophan — 100 mg
• Lemon Balm — 100 mg
• Passion Flower — 100 mg
• Melatonin — 2 mg

Nothing on this panel is standardised, so there is no ratio arithmetic to show. None of the six herbs carries an extract ratio or a marker percentage, and the panel does not say whether each one is a milled whole herb or an extract. 150 mg of valerian means 150 mg of valerian as supplied, and that is as far as the label goes.

Worth knowing before you buy

Melatonin trials commonly use 0.5 mg to 5 mg. At 2 mg this sits inside that range rather than below it, which is why it is on the front of the bottle. If you are buying this, buy it for the melatonin.

The herbs are a different conversation. Valerian is usually studied at 300 mg to 600 mg of root extract; this is 150 mg, unstandardised. L-tryptophan studies generally use a gram or more; this is 100 mg. Lemon balm, passion flower and chamomile at 100 mg each are small amounts of whole herb. And whether swallowed GABA reaches the brain at all is still argued about, so a milligram figure for it does not tell you much either way.

So: one ingredient at a research-level dose and six at token-to-modest amounts. Six herbs on a label look like six actives. Here they are mostly there for the list.

How to take it

Two capsules with water, shortly before bed. Sixty capsules in the bottle at two a day, which is 30 days.

Other ingredients

Gelatin. The capsules are gelatin, which is animal-derived, so this is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. The panel does not state the animal source of the gelatin. It declares no allergens.

Cautions

Melatonin causes drowsiness, so do not drive or operate machinery after taking it. Melatonin and valerian can both add to the effect of sedatives, sleeping tablets, sedating antihistamines and alcohol. L-tryptophan is one to raise with your doctor before starting if you take an SSRI, an SNRI, an MAOI, tramadol, triptans or any other medicine acting on serotonin. Chamomile is in the daisy family, so avoid it if you react to ragweed, chrysanthemums or marigolds. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not use if the safety seal is damaged or missing. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not exceed the recommended dose. If you are pregnant, nursing, under 18, taking prescription medication or living with a medical condition, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting this or any supplement.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.