Last updated: January 4, 2017
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 70 million Americans have chronic sleep problems. It’s no wonder then sales of prescription sleep drugs is in the billions of dollars per year. What do you do if you are also suffering from bad sleep but don’t want to take a prescription? There are many sleep supplements on the market that use all-natural ingredients that can help you sleep without a prescription or even an over-the-counter drug. From pills, to sprays to tea, the best natural sleep supplements come in a variety of applications. After reading this review of the best sleep supplements, you should try a few and see which one works best for you.
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Product | Price | Features | Our Rating |
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  Driftoff Natural Sleep Aid | $$ |
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 | $$ |
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 | $$$ |
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  Dr. Xu's Restful Sleep Natural Sleep Aid Supplement | $$$ |
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  Sleep Vites: Natural Sleep Formula Advanced Sleep Aid Drink Mix | $$ |
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  Künzle Swiss Herbal Sleep Tea | $ |
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  Organic India Organic Tulsi Herbal Tea | $$ |
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Table of Contents
The Best Sleep Supplements
Driftoff Natural Sleep Aid with Valerian and Melatonin
- Includes Valerian Root, Melatonin, Chamomile, L-Tryptophan, GABA, Passion Flower, Lemon Balm, Hops
- All Natural
- Vegan
- Easy to swallow gel capsules
- Gluten free
- 60 caps per bottle
Best Supplement
The makers of Driftoff are hedging all their bets by including the most popular natural supplements in one pill.
For some reason Valerian combined with hops makes for a wonderfully potent sleep aid. Combining those two ingredients with some other all-stars like melatonin and chamomile make this one of the best natural sleep supplements on the market.
Driftoff doesn’t just try to get you sleepy. It tackles some of the reasons you may be having trouble falling asleep in the first place.
Anxiety plays a big part to those that have trouble sleeping. Driftoff will help in setting your mind at ease.
Staying asleep is also an issue for many. One of the things you will notice when taking these caps is that you not only get to sleep quickly, but you will stay asleep through the night. In the instances when you do wake up during the night, you will not stay awake long.
Besides the obvious benefit of helping you sleep, you also won’t develop a dependency on any of the ingredients. They are also vegan and gluten free so you can enjoy your sleep without breaking any dietary restrictions.
Vimerson Health Sleep Aid Pills
- Includes Melatonin, Chamomile, Vitamin B6, L-Tryptophan, Valerian, Chamomile, L-Taurine, St. John’s Wort, Gaba, Skullcap, L-Theanine and Ashwaganda.
- Promotes healthy sleep cycle
- Reduces anxiety
- Calms brain activity
- Non GMO, Non dairy, Vegan and Gluten Free
- Made in FDA-approved facility
- Pleasant aroma
Get to sleep and stay asleep. These pills don’t just make you sleepy, they help readjust your sleep cycle and get your body and mind back on track.
Vimerson has hit upon a great combination of ingredients to get you to sleep and to stay asleep.
Sometimes all you need to get a good rest is to fall asleep quickly. Which this supplement will do. What is also does is help reset your body’s sleep cycle, so you can get a regular night’s sleep again. When you have a recurring problem with getting to sleep and staying asleep you usually need more than just a supplement that will make you sleepy.
Calming your brain activity will reduce any anxiety you have and set yourself up to fall asleep. The melatonin, Valerian and, especially, the St John’s Wort will help get that started. A 2mg dose of Melatonin is more than most supplements have.
St. John’s Wort is a natural mood enhancer that has been used to treat mild depression. Lately, people with Seasonal Affective Disorder have been turning to the herb to get them through the winter.
All these things combined set your body up for relaxation, calmness and the right frame of mind to get sleep. Once you have used the supplement for a few days you will notice how deeply you sleep and how refreshed you feel when you wake in the morning.
You should only use this supplement when you feel you need a nudge towards sleep. If you use them everyday, you will build a resistance to them and they won’t work as well as they should.
As an added bonus, these pills don’t have that musty smell that many sleep aids have. Especially those with Valerian. Instead, the pills have a mild and floral scent that won’t have you plugging your nose to swallow!
BRI Nutrition Cloud 9 Sleep Formula Extra Strength
- Includes-300mg of L-Theanine, 200mg of Valerian root extract, 100mg each of Chamomile, Passion Flower, Hops, Lemon Balm, GABA, 50 mg of L-Tryptophan, and a full milligram of Melatonin in each serving
- Extra strength
- Awake alert and refreshed
- Calms brain activity
- Vegetarian
When a nudge isn’t enough and you need to really get some rest, Cloud 9 will give you a good push!
This supplement works so well, that you would think it was a prescription. Not only is this over the counter, it’s all natural and non habit forming. You won’t get addicted to the pills, but you will get addicted to the rest you get!
You get a good amount of each of the ingredients for that extra strength you need when you are really craving a deep, restful sleep. And the combination of some of the herbs working together create a formula that works very well. Case in point, the addition of the hops with the presence of Valerian. Valerian on its own works wonders for relaxing the mind. With the hops, it becomes a potent sleep aid.
About 20-30 minutes after taking these pills, you will start to feel a calm drowsiness and then drift off to sleep. Rather than an overpowering sleepiness that comes when you take a prescription.
You will stay asleep through the night and wake up feeling refreshed since there are no harmful chemicals.
Dr. Xu's Restful Sleep Natural Sleep Aid Supplement
- Main ingredient is Astragalus
- Magnesium, potassium and calcium helps body absorb the herbs
- Created by Dr. Yan Ping Xu, certified practitioner of Oriental Medicine and Board-Certified Herbalist
- No daytime drowsiness
Look no further than the East when you want good herbal sleep supplements. The Chinese have known for millennia what combinations of herbs and natural ingredients will aid you in your quest for sleep.
Astragalus has been used for centuries against stress. That’s what keeps most people awake and disrupts sleep cycles.
Even if your problem with getting rest isn’t cause by stress, Astragalus will still help put you in the right frame of mind to get some restful sleep.
What separates this from many supplements isn’t just the proprietary blend of herbs, it’s the addition of calcium, potassium and magnesium which together help the body absorb the compounds from the herbs.
During the winter one of the biggest reasons for sleep loss is the fact that we are often sick.
Take a whole body approach to your sleep by taking these supplements. Astragalus also strengthens your immune system so you can resist catching colds.
Bai Zhu is also present to help relieve indigestion, poor appetite, gastro and abdominal distention. Bai Zhu restores the spleen and thus reduces fatigue. You may not have thought that your spleen could be the reason for your lack of sleep. But, when you start seeing the rest you have been looking for, you will believe that the Chinese have been onto something with their approach.
Sleep Vites: Natural Sleep Formula Advanced Sleep Aid Drink Mix
- Sugar free
- Gluten and GMO free
- Drink it warm or cold
- Fast absorption into the body
- Includes melatonin
- Citrus flavor
Not all supplements are horrible tasting pills! Drinking a tasty citrus drink before bed is much more appealing to some than popping some pills.
The act of sipping a hot drink is in itself very relaxing. It helps you put your mind into a relaxed state as it is. As a bonus, then this drink mix contains all the essential ingredients to finish the job and send you off to a deep, restful sleep.
The main ingredient is melatonin. Combined with the Advanced Sleep Blend, it will put you into a slumber and keep you asleep.
Some people say that they wake up a little groggy from this supplement but others feel refreshed. It seems to be dependant on the person and how deeply it will make you sleep.
Künzle Swiss Herbal Sleep Tea
- From the original recipe of Swiss Father Herbalist Johann Künzle
- All natural
- Contains a blend of Lemon Balm Leaves, Peppermint Leaves, Orange Flowers, Lavender Flowers, Valerian Root
The Swiss aren’t just great engineers. They are also very in tune with nature. This tea is proof that they still understand the old ways.
Everybody will tell you to drink chamomile tea when you need some sleep. It is effective and tastes great. For those looking for something different, yet still effective, I recommend this wonderful sleep supplement tea.
Once you open the tea packet the aroma hits you and you just know it is going to taste great. The peppermint leaves give this tea a zippy flavor and immediately sets your mind to cruise control. It gently relaxes you and tastes delicious.
Add a little bit of honey and you have an all natural remedy that has been passed down through the ages. Father Künzle is famous all over Central Europe for using time honored natural remedies for many cures.
This blend will melt away your stress and get your ready for a gentle, yet deep, sleep. When you wake up refreshed, you will take comfort in knowing that only the best natural ingredients helped to get you the rest you deserved.
Organic India Organic Tulsi Herbal Tea
- Organic
- Includes Chamomile, Cardamom and Peppermint and Holy Basil
- Caffeine free
- Aids digestion
- Boosts energy
- No grogginess next day
Of course a chamomile based tea had to make the list!
This mix of chamomile, peppermint and cardamom is something really satisfying in it’s unique flavor. It does have a slightly spicy quality to it along with the floral chamomile. Drinking this just before bed is not only effective for getting some rest, it’s also a very delicious and peaceful way to end your day.
Eastern medicine for a long time has been healing the whole body to help you realign your body and mind. This blend will help you get to sleep and it also helps your digestion, boosts metabolism and increases your energy level. When you are feeling rejuvenated, you sleep better.
It isn’t always just about getting drowsy so you fall asleep quicker. It also helps to get your mind and body right and just feel good in general. When you make drinking this tea part of your routine you are taking care of your body as well.
Why choose a natural sleep supplement?
Many people associate prescription sleep drugs and even over the counter medications with their potential side effects. The most obvious negative side effect of the risk of addiction to these drugs.
Even non addictive sleeping pills can have other non threatening, yet still, negative side effects.
When taking sleeping pills, many patients have reported:
- Changes in appetite
- Difficulty keeping balance
- Daytime drowsiness
- Dry mouth or throat
- Headache
- Grogginess the next day
- Mental slowing or problems with attention or memory
- Stomach pain
- Unusual dreams
Finding a natural alternative to these drugs can be helpful in avoiding any potential damaging effects. Getting good sleep is important, but not at the risk of causing other problems.
Many of the sleep supplements on the market are derived from herbs, roots and flowers. Many of them have been used for thousands of years for their medicinal properties.
Valerian root and chamomile were being used by the ancients to treat stress and help people to sleep. No wonder then that these are still popular today.
Though there isn’t any conclusive scientific proof that they will aid your sleep beyond the placebo effect, it’s also true that there haven’t been enough studies done. It may be just anecdotal evidence that suggests that these natural remedies work. But, taking into account that the evidence goes back thousands of years, I would say it’s enough to suggest that there is some benefit to be had.
What are the most effective sleep supplements?
Since natural sleep aids are not regulated by the FDA, the market is flooded with claims of being the best natural sleep supplement. It’s better to narrow it down to some that have some history of working very well.
Of course, your mileage may vary, but these popular supplements are popular for a reason. They work very well for a lot of people.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone that is produced in the brain that controls your sleep cycles. As the levels of melatonin rise, you start to get sleepy. When you are having trouble falling asleep, a boost of melatonin could really be helpful.
Melatonin occurs naturally in some foods, so scientists have isolated it and can now put it in a supplement. Since it is something that naturally occurs in the body, it has a very good chance of working for you.
Possible side effects of melatonin:
- Sleepiness (obviously!)
- Vivid dreams
- Morning grogginess
- Possible blood pressure changes
Valerian
For thousands of years Valerian root has been used as a sedative and to combat anxiety and depression. Some recent studies have suggested that the ancients were right to use it as it does seem to work for many people.
It not only helps people fall asleep, but it improves the overall quality of sleep. If you wake up often, then Valerian would be a good choice. When combined with hops (the ingredients found in beer) it makes for a portent cocktail that will really put you to sleep.
Possible side effects of Valerian:
- Morning grogginess
- Headache
- Upset stomach
Chamomile
I think by this point, everybody has gotten the advice to drink some chamomile tea before bed to fall asleep. For good reason. It simply works. It’s another natural remedy made from herbs and flowers that has been around for thousands of years to help people get sleep and to calm an upset stomach. You can drink it as a tea, take a pill or even use an oil to add to food and drinks.
Possible side effects of chamomile:
- It may interfere with blood thinners
- Possible allergies for those allergic to ragweed
L-Tryptophan
L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid that helps the body make proteins and certain brain-signaling chemicals. One of those signals is to go to sleep. It is found in many foods, such as turkey (though in smaller amounts than previously believed).
Your body changes the protein into serotonin, which then puts your mind in a happy place. Serotonin is the precursor to melatonin which then puts you to sleep.
Possible side effects of l-tryptophan:
- Was linked to a condition called eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) which caused nerve damage to thousands and even some deaths. However, it was linked to a factory in Japan that may have contaminated the pills. Since 1989 there have been no cases of EMS linked to l-tryptophan.
Theanine
Theanine is an amino acid derivative found in green tea. It is known to trigger the release in the brain of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. GABA activates the major calming neurotransmitters which can help you get to sleep faster.
Possible side effects of theanine:
- Headache
- Dizziness
All of these supplements are regarded as safe to use on their own. The side effects listed have been reported, but are not something that happens to large numbers of people. These supplements can react to drugs and medications that you may be taking. You should also avoid alcohol when taking these remedies. It goes without saying that you should always consult a physician before taking any of these supplements.
Best Sleep Supplements - Final Thoughts
There are so many supplements out there to help aid you in getting some rest. I hope this review of some natural sleep aids helps you find the right one for you.
If you stick with some supplements that have a blend with the common ingredients mentioned earlier, then you are sure to find one that helps. You may need to try a few since everybody reacts differently. Some of the blends may or may not work for you.
Don’t give up if you haven’t found one to work yet. Since I focused on the best sleep supplements with ingredients that are proven to work in most people, it is just a matter of finding the one that your body and mind respond to.
Our Best Pick: Driftoff Natural Sleep Aid
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