Melatonin Sleep Aid

Not every night but when intestinal pain keeps me awake I take Melatonin. Wondering if any have had success by taking Melatonin to get a regular sleep cycle. This is a hormone naturally found in the body but depleted as we age. I have the 3mg tabs. When i take one at bedtime, I do get more deep(REM) sleep but that also means for me more vivid dreams. These technicolor dreams sometimes wake me up!! Someone at work told me she drinks Melatonin tea every night before she goes upstairs to bed and that's the only way she can get a good night's sleep since her husband died. Anyone else?