Ever find that you have a hard time falling asleep, or sleep only fitfully waking every few hours? If counting sheep doesn`t work, melatonin might help. A naturally occurring hormone in the body, melatonin is effective as a natural sleep aid and may help you overcome insomnia and jet lag.

Melatonin is manufactured in the pineal gland, a pea-sized organ deep within the brain. Although humans produce melatonin throughout their lives, production rates are highest in childhood and decline with age.

One of the main functions of melatonin is to help our body regulate when we sleep, and the quality of that sleep. Melatonin does that by setting the internal body clock, creating what are known as circadian rhythms--the body rhythms which regulate everything from sleep to digestion. The body produces melatonin by responding to light cues, with the body producing more when its dark. By taking a melatonin supplement, the body`s internal clock is reset, making it easier to fall into a high quality sleep in a shorter amount of time. A dose of 1 to 3 mg of melatonin should be taken 30 minutes before you desire to fall asleep, and will ensure a deeper, more restful sleep.

There have also been some recent studies which tout melatonin`s benefits as an antioxidant and possible antidepressant. A very aggressive antioxidant, melatonin hunts down free radicals in the body and destroys them. More research is being done in this area, and into melatonin helping to defeat the winter time blues.

There are some people who should use caution while taking melatonin. Because melatonin is a hormone, pregnant or nursing women are not advised to use melatonin. Women who are trying to conceive should consult with their physicians before using it. Also, those with depression should consult their physicians before using melatonin. It should not be used when you need to be alert. Any other sedative supplements or medications should not be used in conjunction with melatonin. If these circumstances apply to you, speak to your health care provider before using melatonin.

Sweet dreams!