Teas that help you relax
The 5 Best Teas for Anxiety and Stress – ArtfulTea
Tea can be a great way to introduce a little moment of zen into your daily routine. With everything from classic chamomile to meditative matcha, our teas are a perfect fit to soothe the nerves and promote relaxation and well-being. Teas for anxiety include mint teas, chamomile teas, lavender teas, rose teas, and matcha.
Top Stress-Relief Teas
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Mint teas
Our pick: Sing Your Song Organic Herbal Tea
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Chamomile teas
Our pick: Egyptian Chamomile Organic Herbal Tea
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Lavender teas
Our pick: Lavender Lullaby Organic Herbal Tea
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Rose teas
Our pick: Rose Petal Raspberry Herbal Tea
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Matcha
Our pick: Mizuki Matcha
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1.
Mint teas are full of relaxing effects, helping to soothe the body and calm the mind. Our Lemon Mint Menage is a smooth organic black tea blend with bright minty notes and the refreshing taste of lemongrass, making it a perfect option for a soothing, uplifting morning cup. Moroccan Mint, a blend of the finest Chinese gunpowder tea and exceptional quality spearmint, is another perennial favorite.
Looking for a mint tea without the caffeine? Peppermint makes a calm, soothing herbal tea, perfect for unwinding in the evening. Our Lavender Mint tea blends two aromatic and soothing herbs for a fresh, lightly floral cup that tastes great hot and makes a superb iced tea. Sing Your Song, famed for its throat-soothing properties, blends peppermint, organic lemongrass, organic cardamom pods, organic dried ginger pieces, and organic licorice root for a mint tea with a touch of sweetness and spice. And Alice’s Peppermint Party, one of our most popular herbals, blends peppermint and ginger with apples, almonds, hibiscus, and rose for a soothing, mint-forward cup.
2. Chamomile Teas
Chamomile is well-known for its relaxing properties, and makes a soothing, aromatic cup of tea perfect for any time of day. Our Egyptian Chamomile is made with the highest quality chamomile available, and the large, fragrant flower heads make for a sweet and floral cup that’s perfect for soothing the body and mind. For an extra treat, enjoy it with a dollop of honey! Our Lavender Lullaby, meanwhile, blends chamomile with lavender, rose petals, sweet orange peel, and calendula petals in a handcrafted organic herbal infusion that helps to soothe away the day and promote more peaceful rest.
3. Lavender Teas
Lavender is another herb that has been shown to relieve stress and promote relaxation, making it a soothing addition to many of our teas and herbal infusions. Earl Grey Lavender blends black tea, oil of bergamot, and Provence lavender for a floral cup with a touch of spice, perfect for an afternoon tea.
ArtfulTea also carries a wide variety of herbal blends containing lavender.
Lavender Mint is an herbal powerhouse, blending lavender and mint, both famed for their relaxing, soothing properties. And Lavender Lullaby is a custom blend full of lavender, chamomile, rose petals, sweet orange peel, and calendula petals that has been specially crafted to promote rest and relaxation. A light, floral blend reminiscent of a sunny meadow in Tuscany, Tuscan Sun blends lavender, apple pieces, linden blossoms, lemon balm, rose petals, blackberry leaves, orange blossoms, and blue mallow blossoms for a soothing, restorative cup.
4. Rose Teas
Used for centuries in everything from rose water to essential oils, rose petals have been shown to have a potent relaxing effect. Midnight Rose is a mellow blend of quality Chinese black and organic rose petals for an aromatic, flavorful cup with a sweet, floral character.
Looking for an herbal tea with roses? Rose Petal Raspberry blends rose petals, hibiscus, lemon peel, rose hips, and apple pieces for a sweet, tart tea that’s perfect to unwind with at the end of the day.
Lavender Lullaby is a truly relaxing blend, mixing rose petals with chamomile, lavender, and other herbs well-known for their ability to calm and soothe. Our Tuscan Sun blends rose petals as well as lavender, apple pieces, linden blossoms, lemon balm, blackberry leaves, orange blossoms, and blue mallow blossoms for a calming floral cup of tea. Green Rooibos with Blossom, meanwhile, blends South African green rooibos and rose petals, sunflower petals, freeze-dried blueberries, and cornflower petals for a mild, slightly sweet tea full of relaxing properties.
5. Matcha
Most teas made from the camellia sinensis plant contain some amount of L-theanine, a unique amino acid that promotes relaxation and stress relief. In particular, matcha has even higher levels of L-theanine than other teas, the result of the shaded growth period the tea undergoes before harvest. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine is known for producing a calm, meditative state and what matcha enthusiasts often refer to as a body high.
Here at ArtfulTea we carry a range of matcha products, from our highest grade ceremonial matcha, to culinary grade matcha for use in lattes, smoothies, and baked goods, and even matcha that you can take with you on the go!
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FAQs
Is green tea good for anxiety?
Green tea can help soothe anxiety thanks to the presence of l-theanine, which can increase feelings of calm and relaxation. Green tea does contain caffeine, so it's best to enjoy it in moderation.
Does chamomile tea help with anxiety?
Chamomile tea is a good way to help soothe symptoms of anxiety. A cup of chamomile tea can help you to relax and unwind.
How much l-theanine is in green tea?
Green teas contain an average of 6.56 milligrams of l-theanine per gram of tea. However, the l-theanine content present in green tea can vary significantly between different teas, with shade grown green teas containing substantially more l-theanine.
Read more:
- Chamomile Tea Benefits
- L-Theanine and Tea
- Best Herbal Teas for Sleep
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The 20 Best Teas for Anxiety in 2022
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Herbal teas have been used for centuries, both for their health benefits and for pleasure. Some people claim that certain herbal teas have properties that can help reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
It’s important to remember that what works for one person may not work for you. Finding the right herbal tea or herbal tea blend can take time.
Although herbal teas are technically different from supplementary capsules, oils, tinctures, and other medications you might use to manage anxiety, interactions are still possible. Always talk with a doctor or other healthcare professional before adding herbal tea to your routine.
Some herbal teas may help take the edge off occasional stress and anxiety, while others may be better used as a routine complementary therapy for an underlying condition.
Other potential benefits of drinking various herbal teas can include:
- improving sleep and insomnia conditions
- soothing upset stomach and digestive issues
- improving menstrual cramps
- improving nausea and morning sickness
- improving blood pressure levels
Read on to learn which teas may help soothe and support your overall sense of well-being.
This classic garden plant can be used for more than just seasoning. Some research suggests that the aroma may reduce feelings of frustration, anxiety, and fatigue.
Separate research finds that inhaling the scent of peppermint oil may help soothe anxiety in people who were hospitalized for heart attack and childbirth.
- Best used for: Peppermint tea is helpful for combating stress-inducing feelings such as anxiety. Peppermint tea may also be helpful if you’re feeling fatigued.
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This daisy-like flower is synonymous with calm, making it among the most well-known stress-soothing teas.
One 2016 study found that long-term use of chamomile extract significantly reduced moderate to severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, it didn’t prevent future symptoms from occurring.
- Best used for: Along with the relaxing and sedative properties of chamomile, it can also be used to help with upset stomach as well as easing pain and inflammation.
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Lavender is widely known for its mood-stabilizing and sedative effects. But did you know that it might be as effective as some medications at relieving anxiety?
Researchers in one 2010 study found that silexan, an oral lavender capsule preparation, was as effective as lorazepam in adults with GAD.
- Best used for: Lavender can be beneficial for lowering anxiety and helping heal skin care conditions like acne and burns as well as aches and pains in the body.
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Valerian root is commonly used as an herbal remedy for insomnia and other sleep disorders. It may help relieve anxiety-related sleeplessness, but research has been mixed.
One 2015 study found that valerian extract reduced anxiety in women undergoing a medical procedure.
- Best used for: Valerian may help improve insomnia and other health issues such as headaches and heart palpitations.
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Gotu kola is used as a traditional medicine and tonic in many Asian cultures.
It’s often used to ease feelings of fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
One 2012 study on mice found that gotu kola extract may be an effective treatment for acute and chronic anxiety. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effects.
- Best used for: Gotu kola may help relieve anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, and might even help ease symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
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A mint relative with a lemony fragrance, lemon balm is a widely used treatment for sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression. It appears to work by boosting GABA, a neurotransmitter that soothes stress.
In one 2011 study, lemon balm extract was shown to help with mild to moderate anxiety and insomnia.
Researchers in a 2018 study found that a lemon balm supplement reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia in people with a heart condition called angina.
- Best used for: Lemon balm is used to help combat insomnia, depression, and anxiety.
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Passionflower has long been used to improve sleep quality. It may also help ease symptoms of anxiety.
Researchers in one 2017 study found that a passionflower supplement worked as well as a mainstream medication for reducing anxiety in people having dental work.
- Best used for: Passionflower may help improve insomnia and anxiety, and has been linked to improving other health issues such as stomach problems.
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Green tea is high in L-theanine, an amino acid that might reduce anxiety.
One 2017 study found that students who drank green tea experienced consistently lower levels of stress than students in the placebo group.
Green tea is also known to help improve focus, since the combined L-theanine and caffeine in the drink help with this, according to a 2010 study.
- Best used for: Green tea may help lower anxiety and stress in people who regularly drink it.
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Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb said to help combat stress and fatigue.
One 2012 study found that taking the root extract significantly reduced stress levels over a 2-month span.
A 2014 review of studies also concluded that Ashwagandha extract helped alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety, but more research is needed to confirm these effects.
- Best used for: Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that may help manage anxiety. It’s also known for having anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, and antioxidant properties.
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Also called tulsi, holy basil is related to European and Thai basils.
Research on its effects on anxiety or stress are limited. One 2008 study found that taking a holy basil extract decreased symptoms of GAD.
- Best used for: Holy basil may be used for both physical and mental benefits, including anxiety, stomach pain, cough, and arthritis pain.
However, studies on how effective holy basil is are limited.
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Fennel is a tall herb that sprouts yellow flowers. It’s native to the Mediterranean.
Fennel tea has traditionally been used to calm anxiety.
Although more research is needed, one 2018 study did find that fennel had anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in postmenopausal people.
- Best used for: Fennel is best used for digestive problems, which are common anxiety symptoms. It may also help relieve menstrual irregularities and coughing, and can be used as a diuretic.
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You can taste bitter hops in certain beverages, but hops are nothing to be bitter about.
A 2017 study found that taking a hops supplement can reduce mild symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
And when combined with valerian, hops supplements may also improve sleep quality.
- Best used for: Hops is best used for treating some mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and stress, and it can also be used for sleep.
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A popular herbal ingredient in colds and flu teas, licorice root has also become a widespread sweetener and candy.
People also take licorice to reduce stress and fatigue, but research is limited.
One 2011 study on mice suggests that licorice extract may reduce stress.
Researchers in a 2013 study on mice found that licorice extract can increase the anti-anxiety effects of valerian and anxiety medications.
- Best used for: Though research is very limited, licorice may be helpful for reducing stress and anxiety.
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Although catnip is a stimulant for cats, it can be used to create a soothing drink for humans.
Catnip has been traditionally used to relieve anxiety. It contains compounds similar to those found in valerian, but it’s unclear whether they offer the same benefits.
- Best used for: Catnip contains nepetalactone, which is similar to the valepotriates found in valerian.
These compounds may help ease anxiety and help with sleeping troubles as well.
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St. John’s wort is one of the most studied herbal remedies for depression. It may also help with symptoms of anxiety.
The herb may interact with certain medications or result in other adverse side effects, so talk with a doctor or pharmacist before use.
- Best used for: St. John’s wort may help reduce stress and stress-inducing hormones. It may also help relieve symptoms of depression or anxiety.
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Traditional Medicinals Cup of Calm
This tea uses chamomile, catnip, lavender, and passionflower herbs to offer a host of sleep-enhancing and stress-relieving benefits.
Chamomile and lavender are better known for helping anxiety. Although catnip and passionflower are primarily used to improve sleep quality, they may also aid in anxiety relief.
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The Republic of Tea Get Relaxed
Along with its principal ingredient rooibos, Get Relaxed includes rose petals, lavender, passionflower, and chamomile.
These selections may help smooth over mild anxiety and stress. You may also benefit from the overall health properties of rooibos tea.
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Yogi Stress Relief
Yogi offers two Stress Relief options: a tea containing kava kava and a tea containing lavender.
Kava kava may have more marked effects on anxiety, but the herb has been tied to mild side effects.
Lavender typically offers more subtle benefits and is less likely to cause side effects.
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Numi Organic Bamboo
Organic lavender is a key ingredient in Numi Organic Bamboo. Lavender may offer a mild soothing effect and help relieve minor anxiety.
Other ingredients in the tea blend include elderflower, schisandra, blueberry leaf, lemongrass, spearmint, ginger, hawthorn, and bamboo.
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Lipton Stress Therapy
Lipton Stress Therapy contains cinnamon, chamomile, and lavender.
All are notable stress-relieving herbs, though chamomile and lavender boast the most scientific support.
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| Tea | Caffeine-free? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| peppermint | yes | stress-relief, fatigue |
| chamomile | yes | relaxation, stomach upset |
| lavender | yes | anxiety-relief |
| valerian | yes | insomnia |
| gotu kola | yes | anxiety-relief, insomnia |
| lemon balm | yes | insomnia, depression, anxiety |
| passionflower | yes | insomnia, anxiety |
| green tea | no | anxiety, stress |
| ashwagandha | yes | anxiety, combatting inflammation |
| holy basil | yes | anxiety, stomach issues, joint pain |
| fennel | yes | digestion issues, period cramping |
| hops | no | depression, anxiety, insomnia, stress |
| licorice | yes | stress, anxiety |
| catnip | yes | anxiety, sleep issues |
St. John’s wort | yes | stress, anxiety, depression |
| Traditional Medicinals Cup of Calm | yes | sleep, anxiety |
| The Republic of Tea Get Relaxed | yes | anxiety, stress |
| Yogi Stress Relief | yes | anxiety, sleep |
| Numi Organic Bamboo | no | anxiety, relaxation |
| Lipton Stress Therapy | yes | stress-relief |
If your anxiety is so bad that it’s interfering with day-to-day activities, it may be a good idea to consult a doctor.
Not sure whether that describes your situation? Here are some signs to watch for:
- You’re constantly worrying about things.
- You have physical symptoms like a racing heartbeat.
- You can’t seem to relax.
- You avoid things because they make you anxious.
- You feel a weight on your shoulders or always feel on edge.
Can I get tea for anxiety at a coffee shop?
Yes.
Many coffee shops that also offer tea will have several of these teas on hand. For example, herbal selections like chamomile are very common and readily available.
How does tea help with anxiety and sleep?
While certain ingredients may help as described above, the simple ritual of taking a moment to sip and drink tea may contribute to stress relief.
Is tea better than coffee for anxiety?
Because coffee contains caffeine, it may not work as well as caffeine-free teas for promoting relaxation and calm. Even compared with caffeinated tea, coffee has much higher caffeine levels, which can cause jitters and make it hard to fall asleep.
Although some herbal teas may have a calming effect, more research is needed to fully assess their potential benefits. Herbal teas or supplements should never be used in place of a prescribed treatment.
Some herbal teas can cause uncomfortable side effects, especially when consumed in large amounts. Others can result in dangerous interactions with over-the-counter and prescription medication.
Many herbal teas aren’t safe to drink during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
You should always check with a doctor or other healthcare professional before drinking herbal teas or taking herbal supplements.
Soothing tea - types and recipes.
The ability of some teas to calm the nervous system has been proven by research. With regular use of such drinks for more than 6 weeks, the release of cortisol in response to stressful situations decreases. Due to the lower level of the stress hormone, a person subjectively feels less tension and nervousness.
Not all teas have a calming effect. Among the most effective are green, white, yellow, lemon balm, valerian, motherwort, chamomile.
Green, white, yellow tea
Tea invigorates no worse than coffee, because it also contains caffeine, which has a pronounced stimulating effect. However, lightly fermented teas: white, yellow, green - can compete for the title of the best soothing drink with valerian itself.
This is due to the presence in their composition of tannins - substances that gently affect the nervous system: they relax the body, clarify the brain and improve mood.
The composition of tea contains antioxidants and flavonoids, which help to cope with stress and depression without affecting perception and without reducing performance. The drink is also rich in phosphorus, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, catechins that prolong youth, fluoride that strengthens tooth enamel and a number of useful organic acids - oxalic, malic, citric, succinic.
Weakly fermented tea not only helps to overcome stress and depression, but also improves memory, normalizes the saturation of blood vessels with oxygen, enhances concentration and activates brain activity.
Attention! To get the full benefit of tea, do not brew it in boiling water. The water temperature should not exceed 60-80 ° C, otherwise many useful components in its composition will be destroyed.Infuse the drink for no longer than 2 minutes, otherwise it will not have a calming, but an exciting effect. And don't drink more than 3-4 cups of it a day.
Melissa tea
Melissa is able to save a person from irritability, depressive mood, headache and lethargy. It can be used as an aid in the treatment of insomnia.
Melissa tea normalizes the state of the psyche. However, when abused, it can greatly reduce blood pressure, so you need to strictly monitor the frequency and dose of its intake.
Recipe for lemon balm tea: pour 30 g of crushed vegetable raw materials into 1 liter of boiling water, leave for half an hour, add 2 tsp. honey. The finished drink is drunk up to 3 times a day.
Herbal tea with valerian
Tea with valerian helps to cope with insomnia, nervous tension, anxiety and excitement, aggressiveness, irritability. In addition to calming, medicinal plant has a number of other useful properties:
- optimizes pressure;
- relieves sore throat;
- relieves headaches;
- improves heart rate.
However, when abused, valerian provokes drowsiness, confusion, decreased concentration, impaired memory and vision. Therefore, the drink can be drunk no more than 2 times a day.
Valerian tea recipe: 2 tsp. crushed root of the plant pour 500 ml of boiling water, insist under the lid for 10 minutes.
Attention! It is important to cover the drink with a lid, otherwise all the essential oils will evaporate from it.
Motherwort drink
Nervous tension can only be relieved by a motherwort leaf. It has a pronounced sedative effect, calms the central nervous system, reduces susceptibility to external stimuli and is an effective antispasmodic and anti-stress agent.
Motherwort tea recipe: 2 tsp. raw materials pour 200 ml of boiling water, tightly close the lid and leave for 15 minutes, strain. To get a pronounced and lasting calming effect, you need to drink 1 cup of the drink a day for a month.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile flowers are a good source of apigenin, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and brain. Drink from them relieves stress, soothes, relaxes, reduces nervousness and anxiety, improves sleep quality, eliminates muscle clamps. In addition, it is effective against colds, sore throats, flu, migraines and menstrual cramps.
Chamomile tea recipe: 1-2 tsp. flowers of the plant are poured with 200 ml of hot water, insisted for 10 minutes, filtered.
Soothing tea can also be brewed from other herbs: peppermint, hawthorn, hops, fennel, thyme, linden. You can use herbal preparations for its preparation, for example, from motherwort grass and cudweed, hawthorn flowers, chamomile.
The main thing to remember is that tea with a calming effect cannot be considered as an "ambulance". It does not give instant results, but it works softer than sedatives and has a long-lasting effect.
Expert: Maria Elagina Business Profi of Siberian Wellness and nutritionist in cosmetics
Reviewer: Ekaterina Vorobieva Adept of a healthy and active lifestyle
5 types of tea that are good to drink before bed " on Food.ru
Tea will help to improve sleep, calm down and relax: the drink is rich in antioxidants and beneficial substances that have a beneficial effect on the emotional state. Which variety should I choose for a good sleep?
Some changes in diet can solve sleep problems. American nutritionist Keri Glassman recommends drinking a cup of herbal tea - the drink does not contain caffeine, so it will help you relax and calm down.
“Making tea can also be a relaxing ritual,” Glassman said.
The nutritionist made a rating of the varieties of the drink, which are worth paying attention to.
1. Chamomile tea
Chamomile has a calming effect, so it helps to fall asleep easier. A study published in 2017 found that people who took chamomile extract capsules twice a day for four weeks improved their sleep quality.
The plant also contains the antioxidant compound apigenin, which affects the central nervous system.
"Apigenin is thought to be associated with receptors in the brain that reduce anxiety," Glassman said.
The nutritionist emphasizes that more research is needed to establish a link between chamomile and sleep quality, but the drink is definitely not harmful to health.
2. Melissa
Melissa tea helps with digestive problems and can relieve insomnia.
"One study showed that supplementing with lemon balm can reduce depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances in patients with angina," Glassman said.
Moreover, lemon balm has an anxiolytic effect, which means that the plant helps with anxiety and relieves emotional tension.
3. Valerian root
Valerian root is widely used in folk medicine and has long been known for its sedative effects.
"Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of valerian root for sleep problems, including insomnia," said the nutritionist.
The plant also improves the quality of sleep and helps with nervous excitability.
4. Passionflower
Passionflower increases levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter in the brain. This reduces the activity of brain cells that are responsible for the cycles of sleep and wakefulness. Therefore, the plant helps to relax and improve sleep.
5. Lavender
“Most people think of dried flower bags when they hear about lavender. But the plant can be consumed as a tea, and it can help you fall asleep," Glassman said.
Various studies have shown a link between lavender and sleep quality. Like passionflower, lavender can affect the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is responsible for the production of the hormone melatonin. Moreover, the plant also has a calming effect on the nervous system and relieves emotional stress.
Earlier we talked about mint tea, which also helps to improve sleep: read more about the benefits of the drink.
