Product Image

PM Formula

Nature's Way
4.1
(612 ratings)
Valerian 200 mg
Theanine 50 mg
Product Image
Score 65.0

This product offers a foundational blend of traditional herbs for relaxation and mild sleep support, featuring Valerian, Hops, and a moderate dose of L-Theanine, though dosages are on the lower side for maximum efficacy.

Quantity: 30 Tablet(s)Servings size: 1 Tablet(s) (30 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Stress Relief
Mood Support
Sleep Support
Mental Focus
Brain Health

Score 65.0

This product offers a foundational blend of traditional herbs for relaxation and mild sleep support, featuring Valerian, Hops, and a moderate dose of L-Theanine, though dosages are on the lower side for maximum efficacy.

Analysis

Nature's Way PM Formula is designed primarily for sleep support and general relaxation, featuring a classic blend of Valerian, Hops, and L-Theanine. While Valerian and Hops are well-regarded for their sedative properties, the 200mg Valerian extract is on the lower end compared to doses often studied for significant sleep induction (300-600mg). The 50mg of Suntheanine (L-Theanine) is beneficial for promoting relaxed alertness and reducing anxiety without drowsiness, but a higher dose (100-200mg) is typically recommended for stronger cognitive or anxiolytic effects. The inclusion of Black Cohosh, while beneficial for some specific conditions, is less directly aligned with the primary sleep and general stress goals for a broad audience. Online reviews suggest varying levels of effectiveness, which is common for herbal sleep aids, but many users report positive experiences with relaxation and sleep onset.

Pros
  • Contains Suntheanine, a high-quality, patented form of L-Theanine.
  • Combines traditional calming herbs like Valerian and Hops, known for synergistic effects on sleep.
  • Reasonable price per serving at $0.60.
  • Large number of positive reviews, indicating general user satisfaction.
Cons
  • Dosage of Valerian (200mg extract) is lower than typically recommended for robust sleep support.
  • Dosage of L-Theanine (50mg) is on the lower side for significant mental focus or strong anxiolytic effects.
  • Black Cohosh is an unusual inclusion for general sleep and stress, potentially limiting its broad appeal for these specific goals.
Warnings
  • Black Cohosh may interact with certain medications and is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, or individuals with liver problems.
  • Valerian can cause drowsiness; avoid driving or operating heavy machinery after consumption.
$18.26($0.60 per serving)
Amazon
$ 18.26
Vitacost
$ 22.49
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Valerian Root Extract (Valeric Acid) 200 mg
Hops flower extract 100 mg
Suntheanine 50 mg
Black Cohosh root and rhizome extract (Triterpene Glycosides) 20 mg
Gluten Free Dairy Free Sugar Free Women 18–50 Menopause Vegetarian
Categories
Valerian 60.0
It contains Valerian root extract at 200mg, which is a recognized amount. However, many alternatives offer higher doses or standardized extracts that are more potent for sleep support.
Theanine 55.0
It includes Suntheanine, a high-quality form, but the 50mg dosage is at the lower end of the effective range for L-Theanine compared to many standalone L-Theanine supplements.
Goals
Sleep Support 70.0
Valerian and Hops are well-known sleep aids, and L-Theanine can aid in relaxation before sleep, making it a decent option for mild to moderate sleep issues. Nevertheless, the Valerian dose is somewhat low for strong effects.
Stress Relief 65.0
Valerian, Hops, and L-Theanine contribute to relaxation and mild stress reduction. However, the lower doses mean it might not be sufficient for significant stress relief compared to higher-dosed alternatives.
Mood Support 60.0
L-Theanine and the calming herbs can contribute to a relaxed state that may indirectly support mood. However, the product lacks specific mood-enhancing ingredients like 5-HTP or higher doses of adaptogens for robust mood support.
90 Value

Sleep Essentials

Swanson
4.5
(718 ratings)
Offers a wide array of proven sleep-supportive ingredients, including Valerian and Hops, at an exceptionally low price per serving, providing superior efficacy at a fraction of the cost.
90 Value

Sleep

NOW
4.3
(4327 ratings)
Delivers a potent combination of Valerian, Hops, GABA, and Passionflower at clinical or near-clinical doses, providing superior efficacy for sleep and stress relief at a significantly lower price per serving.
85 Value

Calm Thoughts

Source Naturals
4.6
(1030 ratings)
Offers a comprehensive blend of ingredients like GABA, L-Theanine, Valerian, and Holy Basil for mood and stress support, at a significantly lower price point, providing excellent value for its broad benefits.
95 Performance

StressMaster

Advanced Nutrition by Zahler
4.3
(153 ratings)
This product offers a far more extensive and synergistic blend of adaptogens, B vitamins, and calming herbs like Valerian, Hops, and L-Theanine, directly addressing stress, mood, and sleep more holistically with generally higher and more comprehensive ingredient dosages.
85 Performance

Sleep Optimizer

Jarrow Formulas
4.2
(2279 ratings)
Integrates multiple pathways for sleep support with ingredients like GABA, Valerian, Hops, L-Tryptophan, and Lemon Balm, providing a comprehensive approach to sleep optimization without potentially irrelevant ingredients.
85 Performance

St. John's Positive Thoughts

Source Naturals
4.4
(584 ratings)
Provides a very broad spectrum of ingredients including L-Theanine, GABA, Valerian, Lemon Balm, Holy Basil, and St. John's Wort for comprehensive mood and stress support, offering a more robust and diverse formulation.
70 Budget

Valerian Chamomile Hops

Swanson
4.4
(180 ratings)
Offers a similar traditional herbal blend of Valerian, Chamomile, and Hops for sleep and relaxation, but at a slightly lower price per serving, providing comparable benefits more affordably.
75 Budget

Sleep 'n Restore

Natrol
4.2
(776 ratings)
Combines Valerian with Melatonin and L-Glutamine, offering a targeted approach to sleep support that is simpler and significantly more cost-effective per serving.
80 Budget

Totally Zen

Carlson
4.8
(324 ratings)
Focuses on calming and stress relief with effective doses of GABA and L-Theanine, along with B vitamins and Magnesium, providing a comprehensive blend for relaxation at a lower price point.
90 Value

Sleep Essentials

Swanson
4.5
(718 ratings)
Offers a wide array of proven sleep-supportive ingredients, including Valerian and Hops, at an exceptionally low price per serving, providing superior efficacy at a fraction of the cost.
90 Value

Sleep

NOW
4.3
(4327 ratings)
Delivers a potent combination of Valerian, Hops, GABA, and Passionflower at clinical or near-clinical doses, providing superior efficacy for sleep and stress relief at a significantly lower price per serving.
85 Value

Calm Thoughts

Source Naturals
4.6
(1030 ratings)
Offers a comprehensive blend of ingredients like GABA, L-Theanine, Valerian, and Holy Basil for mood and stress support, at a significantly lower price point, providing excellent value for its broad benefits.
95 Performance

StressMaster

Advanced Nutrition by Zahler
4.3
(153 ratings)
This product offers a far more extensive and synergistic blend of adaptogens, B vitamins, and calming herbs like Valerian, Hops, and L-Theanine, directly addressing stress, mood, and sleep more holistically with generally higher and more comprehensive ingredient dosages.
85 Performance

Sleep Optimizer

Jarrow Formulas
4.2
(2279 ratings)
Integrates multiple pathways for sleep support with ingredients like GABA, Valerian, Hops, L-Tryptophan, and Lemon Balm, providing a comprehensive approach to sleep optimization without potentially irrelevant ingredients.
85 Performance

St. John's Positive Thoughts

Source Naturals
4.4
(584 ratings)
Provides a very broad spectrum of ingredients including L-Theanine, GABA, Valerian, Lemon Balm, Holy Basil, and St. John's Wort for comprehensive mood and stress support, offering a more robust and diverse formulation.