As many of you know I’m not a fan of hormone replacement therapy, primarily because getting off them is similar to trying to get off steroids—not easy. However, in the case of melatonin there seems to be an exception to this rule. That is, taking melatonin to support better sleep for a period of time, or in temporary situations with jet lag or a stronger-than-expected healing crisis, can be a Godsend.
 
The form I like best is a 5 mg sublingual dissolving tablet that can be reached for in the middle of the night, which doesn’t require the need to get up for a glass of water. This lactose tablet also has chamomile flowers in it which further helps support rest.
 
When I used to lecture in Europe I would take 25 to 30 mg before bed to make sure I slept after getting off a long flight. But for regular sleep support at home, one to two tablets, or 5 to 10 milligrams, is often enough for many patients. Feel free to titrate the dose up or down as needed to help get better and longer sleep. (Please note that some individuals have a “paradoxical reaction” to melatonin—that is, it makes them more wakeful. Naturally, if you fit into this small percentage of the population, do not take this supplement.)
 
Of course, the goal in holistic healing is to not need any sleep aids, and to be able to easily rest a full 8+ hours per night. However, if insomnia is one of your chief complaints then the supplementation of melatonin for a brief period may be needed. Over time though, after you are on your correct constitutional remedy and deepest potency, you are eating an organic nutrient-dense diet while practicing “V & R” (Variety and Rotation) with your primary food allergy, and you have cleared up all your dental issues, this remedy should not be required except for intermittent use while traveling abroad.