In addition to acupuncture and herbal therapies, I decided to teach her a stress release meditation that she could do before bedtime to help with her anxiety.

Many of the drinks contain herbal, plant or hormonal therapies which have been shown in at least some studies to be effective — but also may have side effects, scientists say.

Herbal or nutritional therapies (notably St John's Wort) may also interact with other medications, making them less effective or worsening their side effects.