All versions of ZZZquil contain melatonin within it's effective dosage range, it's generally considered safe for use up to 10mg per day although this is the higher end and it's not ideal to take it every day for the long term. The various proprietary blends are where ZZZquil falls down, and it's not due to the ingredients themselves, it's due to the doses in the sleep aid simply not adding up.
ZZZquil PURE Zzzs
2mg melatonin - a lower dose ideal for people who haven't tried melatonin supplements before, but it may not be enough for the majority of people.
Proprietary Blend 100mg
Chamomile flower extract - chamomile extract does make it into a lot of sleep supplements due to it's impact on GABA production suggesting it can improve sleep quality, the fact is however, that it's only really been shown to be effective when taken as a tea, there isn't much evidence to support it's use in capsule form and the studies that did show it as effective had it in doses of 200mg, which is more than can possibly fit into ZZZquil pure zzz.
Lemon balm - Lemon balm again is one of the less well backed supplements for sleep and anxiety, but the studies that have shown it's effects have the recommended dosage as 300 - 500mg, once again, far higher than the dose available. Another flop for our Zzzquil pure zzz review.
Valerian root extract - Valerian root is actually pretty good, it can have a few side effects which is worth noting. Although it also has to be dosed at 300mg. It also kicks in pretty quickly so it should be taken 30mins before sleep.
Lavender extract - There's not a lot to really support lavender as an oral sleep aid. Most of the evidence comes from mice studies and it was dosed at 300mg/lb of body weight. Meaning you would need grams for it to be effective in humans if it even does transfer across.
ZZZquil Pure ZZZs Triple Action
6mg melatonin - this is towards the higher end of over the counter meds designed for people with trouble sleeping, it should have an effect for most people, but could be slightly too strong for some cases. We'd recommend starting with a slightly weaker supplement.
Proprietary Blend 230mg
Ashwagandha - Ashwagandha is fantastic as a sleep aid, it's been shown to reduce cortisol build up and improve overall sleep quality as well as reducing stress. It's main function is in helping you stay asleep. The catch is that you need 400mg and up for it to be effective, thus it's not possible that there's nearly enough in ZZZquil Pure ZZZ Triple Action.
Chamomile - As mentioned before chamomile may well be ok, but there isn't enough room in the capsule for the dose to be correct and any of the other ingredients being dosed properly. Giving triple action the benefit of the doubt would suggest that this could be ok if it made up 90% of the blend, although we're expecting it probably isn't.
Lemon balm - There isn't enough room in the capsule for this to be within it's effective dosage range.
Valerian - The same issue as in other ZZZquil products, there isn't enough space in the capsule to correctly does valerian root for it to be effective.
Lavender flower extract - As above, not well backed, and even if it does work grams are needed not milligrams.