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Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle. While melatonin is safe in the short term for most adults, many wonder whether they can give melatonin to babies and children who are having trouble sleeping.
Although the body produces its own melatonin, taking melatonin supplements can help provide short-term treatment of insomnia and other sleep-related disorders.
It is important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not regulate supplements, including melatonin, in the same way as drugs. This means that the FDA do not review whether a supplement is safe or effective before it arrives on store shelves.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that most adults can safely use melatonin for short periods. However, healthcare providers are unsure of the long-term effects of regular melatonin use.
Below, learn whether any research supports the use of melatonin in babies and children. We also describe how melatonin works, associated risks, and alternative ways to encourage sleep.
Share on PinterestResearchers have not yet determined whether it is safe to use melatonin to treat sleep issues in babies.
Newborns produce extremely low levels of melatonin, and production increases with age. Most infants establish clear circadian rhythms 6–18 weeks after birth.
Circadian rhythms are patterns of behavioral change that follow a daily cycle. They make up what a person might call their “internal clock.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that infants aged 4–12 months get a total of 12–16 hours of sleep every 24 hours.
No research has established the safety of melatonin use in healthy babies.
Speak with a pediatrician or sleep specialist if a baby is not getting enough sleep. Do not give melatonin to a baby unless a doctor or another healthcare professional has advised it.
Up to 25% of healthy children and 75% of children with neurodevelopmental or psychological conditions experience insomnia, according to the authors of one 2016 investigation.
Melatonin may help treat insomnia in children when behavioral and lifestyle adjustments do not work.
In one 2010 study, involving 72 children with chronic insomnia, researchers found that melatonin reduced the time that it took for the children to fall asleep by 35 minutes, compared with a placebo — treatment with no active ingredient.
However, the authors reported the following side effects of the treatment:
The findings of a 2017 study suggest that melatonin is slightly more effective than light therapy at treating insomnia in children.
Low dosages of melatonin appear to be safe for children. Authors of a 2019 review looked at investigations into the use of melatonin in kids with insomnia or other sleep disturbances. They found that effective dosages ranged from 1.0 to 7.5 milligrams (mg) and that side effects were similar to those reported elsewhere.
Still, available evidence is limited — there is a lack of large studies and long-term research into the effects of melatonin in kids. Before giving this supplement to children, discuss other options with a pediatrician.
The body releases melatonin as part of the processes that support the circadian rhythm.
The hypothalamus is a small area at the base of the brain near the pituitary gland. This area contains the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which is the primary regulator of the circadian rhythm.
The SCN maintains this rhythm in response to changing sunlight levels in each 24-hour period. At dawn, for example, it stimulates the release of various hormones that prepare the body for waking.
When the sun sets and light levels begin to decrease, the SCN prepares the body for sleep by signaling the pineal gland to release melatonin.
Some people refer to melatonin as the “hormone of darkness” because the pineal gland releases it in the evening. Exposure to light inhibits this process.
Melatonin affects numerous bodily functions, such as:
If a child’s pineal gland does not secrete enough melatonin at night, they may develop insomnia or delayed sleep phase disorder. This condition extends wakefulness at nighttime, even when a person feels tired, and it often appears during teenage years.
Here, find 21 evidence-based ways to help a person fall asleep.
According to the CDC, children taking melatonin should do so about 30 minutes before bedtime. Controlled-release versions of melatonin may work better for children who have difficulty staying asleep.
Melatonin usually comes in pill form. However, for children who have difficulty swallowing tablets, liquids, dissolvable strips, and gummies are available.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend starting with the lowest dosage suggested on packaging. A dose as low as 0.5 mg or 1 mg may be effective in many children.
Before giving a child any form of melatonin, however, speak with a doctor. They can recommend the best dosage and schedule.
The authors of one 2019 article report that melatonin is relatively safe and presents a low risk of side effects — in general, not necessarily in children.
In a 2018 study, researchers attempted to observe the longer-term effects of melatonin in 33 people who had started taking the supplement for chronic insomnia as children.
The participants were 6–12 years old when they began the treatment, and they continued to take melatonin for an average of 10.8 years.
Over a third of the group reported having difficulty falling asleep after discontinuing melatonin treatment. Another third reported having one or more headaches at least once a month while taking the supplement.
In addition to headaches, other potential side effects of melatonin include:
Some parents of participants felt that their child had started puberty earlier or later than most of their peers.
It is important to note that the study above is an exception — most investigations into melatonin use in children have been short-term.
Parents and caregivers may want to try behavioral and lifestyle adjustments before giving a child melatonin.
The following can help a person fall asleep earlier and stay asleep longer:
If a child’s sleep problems persist after trying the modifications above, it may be a good idea to consult a pediatrician or sleep specialist.
Can certain foods help encourage healthy sleep? Learn more here.
Melatonin is a hormone that helps support the body’s circadian rhythm.
If a child has a disrupted sleep-wake cycle or if their pineal gland does not secrete enough melatonin, they may develop insomnia or another sleep disorder.
Keeping a consistent bedtime routine that includes limiting the use of electronic devices and avoiding stimulants, such as caffeine, can help relieve insomnia in some children.
If a child’s sleeping habits do not improve with these and other behavioral modifications, it may be a good idea to speak with a pediatrician about treatment options, including melatonin.
Melatonin seems to help correct a child’s sleep cycle in the short term. However, no evidence supports its use in babies, and the long-term effects in children remain unclear.
Many people try essential oils as a treatment for high blood pressure, or hypertension, usually by inhaling the scent or applying the oil to the skin.
However, there is little evidence that essential oils can reduce blood pressure.
As untreated hypertension can result in a heart attack or stroke, it is important not to rely on essential oils alone as a remedy.
A doctor can recommend lifestyle changes and medications for high blood pressure. Talk to a doctor before including essential oils in a treatment plan.
In this article, we list essential oils that may help people who are managing hypertension. We also describe how to use the oils safely and the risks involved.
People who use essential oils for high blood pressure often recommend:
Share on PinterestIn a small study including 52 participants, researchers tested whether inhaling an oil blend containing bergamot could help reduce hypertension.
The blend also included lavender and ylang-ylang.
Based on their results, the team concluded that essential oils may help reduce high blood pressure.
People traditionally use citronella oil as a mosquito repellent, but it may benefit the health of the heart.
A small 2012 study, published in the Journal of Health Research, reports that inhaling citronella vapors may significantly reduce a person’s blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate.
A 2013 study, involving 34 female participants who were experiencing urinary incontinence, suggests that clary sage is effective at reducing blood pressure.
In the study, clary sage oil reduced the participants’ heart rates while they were undergoing urodynamic examination.
It is important to note that sage oil — as opposed to clary sage oil — contains a compound called thujone, which may increase high blood pressure.
Frankincense essential oil is a popular component of Eastern medicine. In addition to having anti-inflammatory properties, it may also help combat anxiety and similar issues.
These effects may help reduce high blood pressure. However, it is possible for people to have high blood pressure even when they feel relaxed.
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils for enhancing relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety.
Various scientists behind a 2006 study and a 2012 study found that a blend of oils, including lavender, could reduce high blood pressure in participants who inhaled it.
Researchers have found that neroli essential oil, blended with lavender, ylang-ylang, and marjoram could reduce stress and blood pressure in people with prehypertension and hypertension.
Rose oil may have calming effects.
One study has reported that applying rose oil to the skin can reduce blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, blood oxygen saturation levels, and skin temperature.
Researchers behind a small 2017 study observed “remarkable changes” in the blood pressure and heart rates of participants who inhaled sweet marjoram essential oil.
A 2012 study mentioned above also used a blend containing marjoram oil and found similar results.
Valerian is a potent relaxing agent and a common ingredient in many natural products that claim to enhance sleep and promote calmness in humans and pets.
The European Medicines Agency points to a long history of valerian as a sleep aid before noting that the essential oil can be used to treat mild mental stress and promote sleep.
Because of these benefits, valerian essential oil may help reduce hypertension in some people.
Researchers have used ylang-ylang essential oil in combination with other oils to effectively lower blood pressure.
A small study from 2013 reported that the aroma of ylang-ylang may have a sedative effect that significantly decreases blood pressure.
A person could try using essential oils by:
Overall, the research into essential oils for high blood pressure is still very limited. A person should not use these oils as a replacement for prescribed medication.
In practice, results likely vary from one individual to another and may depend on the type of oil that a person uses.
In a 2006 study, researchers assigned 52 participants with hypertension to three groups: an essential oil group, a placebo group, and a control group.
Those in the essential oil group inhaled a blend of lavender, ylang-ylang, and bergamot once daily for 4 weeks. The researchers measured all the participants’ blood pressure and pulse twice weekly.
They observed significant differences among the groups, suggesting that inhaling specific essential oils may reduce psychological stress responses, serum cortisol levels, and blood pressure.
In 2012, scientists conducted a similar study. This time, the aim was to observe the effects of essential oil inhalation on blood pressure and salivary cortisol levels in 83 people with prehypertension or hypertension.
Those in the essential oil group inhaled a blend of lavender, ylang-ylang, marjoram, and neroli over 24 hours.
After this, the participants’ daytime blood pressure and salivary cortisol levels significantly decreased, compared with those in the placebo and control groups.
However, in a 2014 study that included 100 participants, the researchers found that exposure to essential oil vapor for longer than 1 hour may be harmful to cardiovascular health.
Anyone interested in using essential oils to lower high blood pressure should talk to a doctor first. Also, it is important to only consider essential oils to be complementary treatments.
Essential oils do not pose major risks if people use them as directed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consider the majority of oils to be “generally recognized as safe.”
However, take the following precautions:
It is especially important for people with underlying health issues, including asthma, and anyone taking supplements or medications to consult a doctor before trying essential oils.
If a person ingests an essential oil, adverse effects can be noticeable within 30 minutes, though they may take up to 4 hours to appear.
These unwanted effects can include:
If a person has ingested essential oils, contact poison control or otherwise seek medical advice. People in the United States should call 1-800-222-1222.
The use of essential oils by pregnant women or around children is highly controversial.
There is a concern that, in pregnant women, topically applied oils may penetrate the placenta and affect the fetus. Also, inhaled molecules of these oils may pass to the fetus through the blood.
However, some essential oils may be safe for use during pregnancy. Pregnant women should consult their doctors before trying any essential oil.
Babies and older children have a greater risk of toxicity from essential oils than adults. Even 2 milliliters can cause significant poisoning in infants, for example.
Small amounts of some oils may be safe in certain circumstances, but it is always advisable to consult a doctor before using essential oils around children.
Overall, it is a good idea to avoid diffusing essential oils in the presence of children or pregnant women.
Some natural health professionals and enthusiasts advocate using essential oils to treat high blood pressure. However, there is not enough research to support the use of these oils for this purpose.
Essential oils are unlikely to be a suitable alternative to medication, dietary alterations, and lifestyle changes for people with hypertension.
Anyone who wishes to use essential oils as a complementary treatment should speak to a doctor first.
Which essential oils should people with high blood pressure avoid?
Hyssop essential oil should be avoided, as it has isopinocamphones, which are known to raise blood pressure.
It would also make sense for people with high blood pressure to avoid stimulating essential oils, such as rosemary and citrus (lemon and grapefruit) oils.
Sage (unlike clary sage) would not be a good choice for someone with high blood pressure, as it contains thujone, which is known to increase blood pressure.
Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
HuffPost is part of Verizon Media. Verizon Media and our partners need your consent to access your device and use your data (including location) to understand your interests, and provide and measure personalised ads. Verizon Media will also provide you with personalised ads on partner products. Learn more.
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