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What Is Melatonin Tea?

Jun 3, 2011 | By Kimberly Riggins

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates and maintains your body's circadian rhythm, which is your body's internal clock, letting you know when you should go to sleep and wake up. Due to everyday stress, shift work, jet lag and certain health conditions, your melatonin levels may drop, causing insomnia or other sleep related disorders. Using supplemental forms of melatonin such as melatonin tea may help reset your internal clock.

About Melatonin

Melatonin, chemically known as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is synthesized and released by the pineal gland in the brain. Its most important function is to maintain the body's night and day cycles which often get interrupted by environmental factors and everyday stress. Melatonin also helps regulate and maintain other hormones, including those that control a woman's menstrual cycle. In addition, it appears to have high antioxidant power, and according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, melatonin may have the ability to strengthen the immune system.
Some individuals may experience low levels of melatonin which usually leads to sleep issues such as insomnia. In these instances, a melatonin supplement may reset circadian cycles and to replenish the melatonin deficiency. Melatonin supplements are available in the form of tablets, capsules, cream, lozenges and tea.
Aside from sleep issues, people are using melatonin supplements to help prevent cancer and to treat headaches, tinnitus, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome. Before using a supplemental form of melatonin, it is important to consult a physician first.

Insomnia

The most common use of melatonin is to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia and delayed sleep phase syndrome. According to a study published in the June 2010 issue of the "Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics," melatonin is an effective treatment for circadian rhythm sleep disorders, such as advanced and delayed sleep phase disorders, jet lag and shiftwork disorders. However, melatonin was only marginally effective in treating insomnia, having the ability to shorten the amount of time it takes to fall asleep but not significant enough to recommend as a treatment to relieve insomnia. Four months later, in another small clinical study published in "Sleep," melatonin did improve sleep but did not prove to treat or eliminate insomnia.

Prostate and Breast Cancer

Low melatonin levels may be associated with an individual's risk for prostate or breast cancer. Using melatonin supplements may prevent or reduce the risk of these types of cancer. In a study published in the March 2011 issue of the "Journal of Pineal Research," clinicians showed a link between low levels of melatonin and prostate cancer and showed that melatonin has the ability to inhibit prostate cancer growth. In another study published a month later in the "Journal of Receptor and Signal Transduction Research," researchers showed that melatonin can also suppress breast cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting the upregulation of estrogen-induced compounds that are associated with tumor growth.

Warnings

Before using melatonin, consult a doctor. Although it appears to be generally safe, some common side effects include fatigue, dizziness, headache, irritability, sleepiness, confusion, sleepwalking, vivid dreams and nightmares. MayoClinic.com reports using large amounts of melatonin creates a risk of blood clotting, seizures, difficulty walking and extreme disorientation. Individuals who are using depression medication should avoid melatonin because it may cause mood changes such as giddiness, dysphoria, paranoia and hallucinations. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid using melatonin due to possible hormonal effects. People who are using prescription medications should consult a doctor because it may interfere in the medication's effectiveness.

References

Article reviewed by Jerry Petersen Last updated on: Jun 3, 2011

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