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How effective are homeopathic sleep aids, which are the most effective (and under what circumstances), and what research backs up any claims of efficacy?
Hi there, and thank you for your request for a list of homeopathic sleep aids with an assessment of the efficacy of each one, backed by research.
In the attached spreadsheet I have included ten homeopathic sleep aids, including presentation, claimed effects, potential side effects and most likely patients to be benefitted from them: melatonin, tryptophan, calcium, magnesium, valerian, St. John's wort, passion flower, chamomile, catnip and hops.
Research backs the efficiency of most of them, though some of these substances have not been thoroughly studied. Researchers point at melatonin and valerian as the most effective, but many recommend that further research is conducted to collect additional data.
I elaborate on my findings below.
METHODOLOGY
*All studies are dated between 2015 and 2017, with the exception of the University of Maryland's research on herbal remedies including catnip, which was the most recent official study available, published in 2014.
*I gave my research a global scope - there are reports from North America as well as Turkey, Poland, Australia, Iran and Germany.
*In order to explain the circumstances under which sleep aid would be most efficient, I included a list of patients that stand to be most benefitted by each substance.
*Please note that most research on calcium and magnesium target both sleep aids, since they are usually taken together. Similarly, many reports on herbal sleep aids (such as valerian, catnip, hops or chamomile) include and compare different elements within a single study.
* All sources are included on the spreadsheet.
* Please take into account that I am not a doctor, and the information contained here cannot replace professional advice under any circumstances.
HOMEOPATHIC SLEEP AIDS: WHICH ONE IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE?
Out of the ten homeopathic sleep aids I included in the spreadsheet (melatonin, tryptophan, calcium, magnesium, valerian, St. John's wort, passion flower, chamomile, catnip and hops), melatonin seems to be the most effective in inducing and improving sleep quality.
Research is consistent on the effectiveness of melatonin, including depressed patients and children. However, most sources advise that further research on the topic is recommended.
Valerian has also been the object of extensive research. Most of them report favorable effects, claiming that valerian shows positive effects in treating sleep disorders with minimal to no side effects. However, the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine advises clinicians against treating insomnia with valerian, as there is a severe lack of data regarding its effectiveness.
Calcium and magnesium are also favorably viewed by the medical research community, especially when taken together. They showed positive effects in solving sleep issues, particularly when they were provoked by depression.
CONCLUSION
To wrap up, homeopathic sleep aids include melatonin, tryptophan, calcium, magnesium, valerian, St. John's wort, passion flower, chamomile, catnip and hops. Research backs efficiency claims for most of them, particularly melatonin and valerian - though many recommend further research for additional data.
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