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Top Natural and Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids to Help You Rest Better in 2025

Having trouble falling asleep well? Many others are in your shoes. Quality slumber can seem out of reach with busy calendars and excessive screen use—especially if you’re not prepared to spend on expensive sleep technology. Natural sleep aids fit in there.

Gentle, non-prescription alternatives such as herbal teas, melatonin, and relaxing vitamins can help you fall asleep more quickly and remain asleep longer. Without going directly to medication, they are a quick, inexpensive approach to enhance your sleep pattern.


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Ready to obtain some genuine rest? These top natural sleep aids will enable you to relax and fall asleep easily.


Best Natural Sleep Aid with Magnesium


PHOTO: AMAZON

Free From: Sugar | Dose: Take up to two softgels with water 30 minutes before bedtime


Why We Like It

  • Sugar-free
  • Packed with melatonin and magnesium

What to Know

  • Has a subtle strawberry flavor

Combining strong, natural sleep helpers, this supplement helps you wind down and remain asleep. Melatonin assists with quicker sleep onset, magnesium with deeper sleep, and l-theanine with calming a racing brain. For those with stress or sleep problems, chamomile is a wonderful choice since it provides more tranquility. All without sugar, expect a more tranquil night, better sleep cycles, and relaxed muscles.


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Best Natural Sleep Aid with Valerian Root


PHOTO: AMAZON

Free from: Gluten, dairy, soy, artificial flavors, colors, excipients, or stearates | Dose: 2 capsules before bed


Why We Pick It

  • Certified organic valerian root
  • Free of dairy, gluten, artificial flavors, and more

Important to Note

  • Doesn't contain melatonin

Every sleep expert mentioned valerian root as a natural sleep aid. Many people use it as a sleep aid. Studies show that increasing GABA levels in the brain—a neurotransmitter that relaxes the body—helps to promote more restful sleep. Certified organic, these capsules are free of all from dairy and soy to synthetic dyes—no extraneous substance. Take two capsules before night for optimal outcomes.


Best Natural Sleep Aid with Vitamin D


PHOTO: AMAZON

Free from: Gluten, GMOs, artificial additives, fillers or binders, dairy | Dose: 1 softgel daily


Why We Pick It

  • Gluten-free
  • Vitamin D possesses other benefits besides better sleep
  • Independently verified

Improtant to Note

  • Before adding, talk to a doctor about your vitamin D levels.

Research has shown that low vitamin D levels make sleep issues more likely. Our expert concurs and says that before considering other options, vitamin D is one of the vitamins that should be at a non-deficient level. These softgels are an excellent option if your doctor has already approved you to use a vitamin D supplement. If you are unclear whether or not a vitamin D supplement could be for you, a healthcare professional can always assist you by ordering a blood test to assess your vitamin D levels and decide whether supplementation is appropriate.


Best Herbal Tea for Sleep


PHOTO: AMAZON

Free from: Caffeine, gluten, GMOs | Dose: 1 cup before bed


Why We Pick It

  • Product easily accessible at most stores
  • Caffeine-free
  • A fan favorite

Improtant to Note

  • Comes in packs of 20 or 40 tea bags

There is no caffeine in this nighttime tea. Rather, this evening bevvie is loaded with chamomile, lemongrass, spearmint, and orange flowers to calm you to sleep faster. To experience the sleepy effects, simply brew a cup of this tea to savour before bed.


Best OTC Sleep Aid


PHOTO: AMAZON

Free from: Gluten | Dose: 1 tablet 30 mins before bed


Why We Pick It

  • One tablet per dose
  • Gluten free
  • Contains no pain reliever

Important to Note

  • Not suitable for kids under 12 years old
  • OTC medication, not necessarily a 'natural' option

Though it has no bells or whistles, this OTC option is well worth buying. The chemical ingredient doxylamine succinate in one tablet will help you to sleep better. How exactly does it work? A sedating antihistamine, doxylamine succinate lowers some brain chemicals that could cause you to feel sleepy. There are no medications or gluten in this mix either.


Best Natural Sleep Aid Drink Mix


PHOTO: AMAZON

Free from: Gluten, GMOs | Dose: Start with 1 tsp of mix in a hot or cold drink daily, then go up to 2 tsp daily


Why We Pick It

  • Powerhouse sleep aids like magnesium glycinate, melatonin, GABA, and L-theanine in the formula
  • Dose starts with 1 tsp of mix, then gradually increases to 2 tsp
  • Tasty berry flavor

Important to Note

  • Mix creates a fizzy drink that not everyone may be a fan of

This drink mix provides a quick fix for sleep problems. This mix of l-theanine, melatonin, and magnesium helps your body get into sleep state significantly more rapidly and effortlessly than sheep counting. It has a nice berry taste and can be sipped hot or cold before night. The firm recommends starting with one teaspoon (2g) and gradually increasing your daily intake to two teaspoons (4g). Just whisk, let the powder bubble, then enjoy by pouring it into a glass of water. Magnesium also acts as a laxative, hence be cautious to raise your dose slowly.


Best Dissolvable Natural Sleep Aid


PHOTO: AMAZON

Free from: Gluten, yeast, milk, lactose, soy, artificial flavor, preservatives | Dose: 1 tablet 30 mins before bed


Why We Pick It

  • Berry flavor
  • Great for anyone who doesn't like the sensation of swallowing pills
  • Gluten and soy-free

Important to Note

  • Can start with half a tablet to determine melatonin tolerance

If taking tablets is challenging, this dissolvable sleep aid will be perfect for you. Each pill provides 12 mg of melatonin to assist control your sleep cycle; busy lives, travel, stress, and even blue light exposure from electronic gadgets and travel can throw it off-balance. Though our expert recommends starting with a melatonin dose between 0.5 mg and 5 mg, you can use a pill-cutter to divide the tablets in half or quarters to obtain a lower starting dose for this one contains a higher concentration.


Best Sleep Gummy for Kids and Adults


PHOTO: AMAZON

Free from: Gluten, dairy, egg, peanuts artificial flavors or sweeteners | Dose: Not listed online


Why We Pick It

  • Made for children (but can used for adults as well)
  • Tastes like a sweet, berry-flavored gummy bear
  • No artificial flavors or sweeteners

Important to Note

  • Liquid version is also available

Though marketed for children, these premium melatonin gummies are our first pick for parents seeking a lower dose of melatonin as they perform well and taste great.


Parents adore these natural gummies since children also need decent sleep. But is melatonin safe for children? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Melatonin can be a short-term way to help kids get rest while you keep trying to establish good bedtime routines." The AAP recommends that parents and doctors work together to decide whether to prescribe melatonin; therefore, if your doctor gives you the go-ahead, the AAP recommends starting with the lowest dose of 0.5 mg or 1 mg, taken 30 to 90 minutes before sleep. Considering that one gummy contains 1 mg of melatonin, deciding the proper quantity could not be more straightforward.


What You Should Know About Natural Sleep Aids

Do They Actually Function?

Though they don't work the same for all, natural sleep aids like melatonin, chamomile, and magnesium are well-liked. While some people see little to no change, others feel more calm or fall asleep more quickly. Though you should consult your doctor first, these tools could be useful if you're seeking a more natural, softer choice even if they lack the same solid scientific support as prescription drugs.


Are They Safe? 

Most supplements aren't controlled like prescription pharmaceuticals, hence selecting those that have been examined and confirmed for quality is crucial. Though they're drug-free and largely composed of herbs, vitamins, and natural hormones, they can nevertheless mix with other drugs or create adverse effects. Before beginning one—especially if you are controlling other health issues or past concerns with sleep medications—always consult a healthcare professional.

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