Relaxium Sleep is a dietary supplement containing seven active ingredients: melatonin, magnesium, a proprietary valerian root extract (called Valerest), ashwagandha (as Sensoril), a milk protein hydrolysate (called Lactium), passionflower extract, and chamomile extract. Each serving is two capsules, and the formula combines hormonal, herbal, and mineral ingredients that target different aspects of sleep.
Melatonin: 5 mg Per Serving
Relaxium contains 5 mg of melatonin, a hormone your brain naturally produces as darkness falls to signal that it’s time for sleep. This is a moderate dose. For context, clinical guidelines for insomnia typically start at 2 mg in slow-release form, taken 30 minutes to two hours before bed. Five milligrams is higher than what many sleep researchers consider a physiological dose (0.5 to 1 mg), which means some people may find it more than they need, while others with significant sleep difficulty may respond well to it.
Valerest (Proprietary Valerian Blend)
Valerest is Relaxium’s branded valerian root extract combined with hops. Valerian has been used as a mild sedative for centuries, and its compounds are thought to increase the availability of a calming brain chemical called GABA. The “proprietary” label means the exact extraction method and ratio of valerian to hops is specific to this product. Evidence on valerian for sleep is mixed overall: some trials show modest improvements in sleep quality, while others find no clear benefit over placebo. The specific Valerest blend has not been independently studied in published peer-reviewed trials separate from Relaxium’s own marketing materials.
Sensoril Ashwagandha
Sensoril is a patented ashwagandha extract made from both the root and leaves of the plant. Its inclusion in Relaxium targets stress rather than sleep directly. A review by the National Institutes of Health found that ashwagandha significantly reduced stress and anxiety levels, reduced sleeplessness and fatigue, and lowered cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone) compared to placebo across multiple clinical trials. The logic behind adding it to a sleep supplement is straightforward: high stress and elevated cortisol at night make it harder to fall and stay asleep, so reducing them can indirectly improve sleep quality.
Lactium (Alpha-Casein Hydrolysate)
Lactium is one of the more interesting ingredients in the formula. It’s a hydrolysate of alpha-s1 casein, a protein found in cow’s milk. The processing breaks the protein into smaller peptides that appear to have a calming effect on the nervous system, similar in concept to the relaxation infants experience after breastfeeding.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial published in the journal Nutrients tested 300 mg of Lactium daily in 48 adults with mild to moderate sleep problems. The results were notable: 79% of participants taking Lactium reported increased total sleep time, compared to just 24% on placebo. Time to fall asleep improved in 67% of the Lactium group versus 30% on placebo. And 85% showed improved sleep efficiency (meaning more of the time spent in bed was actually spent sleeping) compared to 24% on placebo. All of these differences were statistically significant. Wrist-worn activity trackers confirmed the sleep efficiency finding, with 85% improving on Lactium versus 63% on placebo. This is the strongest clinical evidence behind any single ingredient in Relaxium.
Magnesium
Relaxium uses a blend of magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate. Magnesium plays a role in regulating the nervous system and muscle relaxation, and low magnesium levels are associated with poor sleep quality. The citrate form absorbs reasonably well but can have a mild laxative effect at higher doses. Glycinate is generally gentler on the stomach and is often preferred in sleep-focused supplements. The exact amount of elemental magnesium per serving is not prominently listed, which makes it difficult to compare directly to the amounts used in clinical studies (typically 200 to 400 mg of elemental magnesium).
Passionflower and Chamomile Extracts
These two herbal extracts round out the formula. Passionflower has a long history as a folk remedy for anxiety and insomnia, and small studies suggest it may improve subjective sleep quality, though the evidence base is limited. Chamomile’s active compound is apigenin, which binds to certain receptors in the brain that promote relaxation. Standardized chamomile extracts typically contain about 1.2% apigenin. Both ingredients are considered safe for most adults and are commonly found in sleep teas and supplements, though neither has strong standalone evidence for treating significant sleep problems.
What’s Not in Relaxium
Relaxium does not contain any prescription drugs, antihistamines (like diphenhydramine or doxylamine found in over-the-counter sleep aids like ZzzQuil or Unisom), or CBD. It’s classified as a dietary supplement, not a medication, which means the FDA does not evaluate it for effectiveness before it goes to market. The manufacturer states the product is made at a facility (Sundyota Numandis) certified under FDA and GMP standards, with testing for purity, weight, disintegration, and microbial safety.
Potential Interactions
Because Relaxium contains melatonin, it can interact with blood thinners, blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, and drugs that suppress the immune system. The valerian and passionflower components may amplify the sedative effects of anti-anxiety medications, muscle relaxants, or alcohol. Ashwagandha may affect thyroid hormone levels, which matters if you take thyroid medication. If you’re on any prescription medications, checking with a pharmacist before adding Relaxium is a practical step, since pharmacists can flag interactions specific to your regimen quickly and for free.
How It’s Taken
The standard dose is two capsules taken 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime. Taking it with a small amount of food may improve absorption of the Lactium and magnesium components. Melatonin works best when taken on a consistent schedule, so using Relaxium at roughly the same time each night is likely to produce better results than sporadic use. The manufacturer recommends daily use, though there’s no long-term safety data specific to this combination taken continuously for months or years.