Valerian vs Melatonin?

Question

What is the difference in how they work?

Answer 1

Valerian is a relaxing and sedating herb - it relaxes you and sends you to sleep. It is actually as effective as prescription sleeping pills - but isn't physically addictive, and doesn't cause a morning 'hangover' like sleeping pills do.

Melatonin is a chemical that occurs naturally in the brain - it is to do with the onset of darkness bringing on sleepiness - it is most useful for people who's body clocks are messed up, jet lag, shift workers, blind people etc.

Melatonin is quite popular, but it still is considered experimental, so personally I would only use melatonin with caution - especially as there are so many effective herbs for insomnia.

Answer 2

I have used homeopathic valerian and liquid melatonin that my very enlightened MD gives me.  The liquid melatonin works the best for me.  I don't use it all the time anymore - only when my clock gets out of sync.

Answer 3

Valerian is a calming herb. It has an effect like a valium.

Melatonin is a HORMONE. Besides DHEA, the only hormone you can buy over the counter, but it is natural and it will help you sleep.

We have melatonin, it's the hormone that works to tell your body it's night and time to sleep.

Your bodies melatonin starts its job at about 10pm. That's why it is so good for you to try and sleep by 10pm.

With electricity and our high stress lives, we do not operate our bodies the way they were intended. This screws up our melatonin production and insomnia isn't too far behind.



Taking over the counter melatonin will help restore your levels.  I take it with great success.

Answer 4

Melatonin is available OTC however it cautions do not use if you have high blood pressure

Why do you need it?  Sleep problems or just need something for anxiety?