Daylily

BotanicalBest before bed

What is it

Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) is a flowering perennial native to Asia, widely naturalized elsewhere. Buds and flowers have been used as food and in traditional Chinese medicine for sleep, mood, and as a urinary tonic. Branded extracts (such as Adilase, Hemodren) appear in some sleep and mood supplements.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Sleep quality

Mixed Evidence

Branded daylily extracts (Adilase, Hemodren) are marketed for sleep support, with limited industry-sponsored or pilot human data showing modest effects.

Mood and stress

Mixed Evidence

Traditional use exists, but rigorous human evidence is lacking.

How it works

Daylily contains flavonoids (including hesperidin), phenolic acids, anthraquinones, and minor alkaloids. Animal and cell studies attribute its proposed effects to antioxidant activity, mild GABAergic modulation, and serotonergic activity in the brain. The Adilase branded extract is marketed for sleep and stress, with limited unpublished or industry-sponsored human data. Well-controlled clinical trials in humans are very limited. Some species of Hemerocallis (notably H. dumortieri) contain stenocarpin and other toxic compounds that have caused fatal poisoning, particularly of livestock and cats; H. fulva flower buds used in food are generally considered safer when properly identified and cooked.

Dosage

There is no established dose. Branded daylily extracts in supplements typically appear at 100 to 500 mg per serving. DSLD label data are too sparse to derive a meaningful median.

When and how to take it

Daylily-based sleep supplements are typically taken 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. There is no formal evidence-based timing guidance.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Hemerocallis fulva flower extract

Powdered or capsule extract from the flowers; included in some sleep and mood blends.

Variable depending on extraction.

Safety

Raw or improperly identified daylily can cause nausea, diarrhea, and other GI effects. Daylilies are highly toxic to cats and can cause fatal acute kidney injury; pet owners should keep them away. Long-term human safety data for daylily extracts are limited.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of safety data. Avoid in households with cats (the live or dried plant material is acutely nephrotoxic to felines). People taking psychiatric medications should consult a clinician.

Interactions

No significant drug interactions are well documented. Theoretical additive effects with sedatives or serotonergic medications cannot be ruled out.

Food sources

Daylily buds (cooked, properly identified)

Amount
30 g
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Are daylilies edible?⌄

Hemerocallis fulva buds and flowers are eaten in East Asian cuisine. Other Hemerocallis species can be toxic. Identification matters.

Why are daylilies toxic to cats?⌄

All parts of the plant cause acute kidney failure in cats; the mechanism is not fully understood. Even small ingestion or pollen exposure can be fatal. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Does daylily really help sleep?⌄

Some branded extracts are marketed for sleep but rigorous published evidence is limited.

References

Daylily on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Daylily on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Daylily (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Daylily with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.