Best Sleep By Everyday Health Overview & Drug Interactions

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a perennial herb native to Europe and Asia. The plant is known for its strong, distinctive odor and its purported medicinal effects. Valerian contains a number of active compounds, including valerenic acid and valepotriates, which are believed to have a sedative effect on the body and are may to be helpful in the treatment of insomnia and anxiety. Valerian is also believed to have mild tranquilizing and muscle-relaxing properties and may be helpful in the treatment of muscle spasms and other muscle disorders. The root of the valerian plant is most commonly utilized in dietary supplements and is often standardized for valerenic acid content.

Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) is a plant species in the lettuce family that is native to Europe and parts of Asia. It is a tall, annual plant with small, yellow flowers and leaves that resemble the leaves of cultivated lettuce. Wild lettuce is sometimes called "opium lettuce" due to the milky sap it contains that has been purported to have sedative and analgesic effects. Wild lettuce has a long history of use in traditional medicine. It is thought to have various medicinal properties, including sedative, analgesic, and antispasmodic effects. It is used to treat a variety of conditions, including insomnia, anxiety, and pain.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a climbing vine with fragrant white and purple flowers that is native to the Americas. It is purported to have a number of potential health benefits, including reducing anxiety and improving sleep. It is thought to work by increasing the levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps regulate mood and anxiety. Passionflower may also have mild sedative and muscle-relaxing effects and may be helpful in the treatment of muscle spasms and other muscle disorders. Dietary supplements containing passionflower are generally standardized to contain no less than 1.5% of the flavanoid vitexin.