Do you struggle with stress, anxiety, or sleepless nights? If you find it difficult to relax and unwind, then perhaps drinking a hot cup of tea at the end of a long day might be the answer. But what ingredients exactly should you be looking for in a relaxing tea? The ones we have listed below are proven to help soothe your anxious mind and ease your stress.
1. Chamomile
Probably the most well-known of the ‘calm and relaxation’ teas, Chamomile tea is caffeine-free and slightly sweet making it a very pleasant sip. Extracted from a plant that looks a lot like a daisy, this herb has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and continues to be popular till today. A study conducted in 2016 showed signs that “long-term chamomile was safe and significantly reduced moderate-to-severe GAD [Generalised Anxiety Disorder] symptoms,” though it does not necessarily prevent anxiety.
It’s also consumed by many for its antioxidants, which are believed to help lower the risk of contracting certain diseases such as heart disease and cancer, and can also help you fall asleep better. I like to drink chamomile tea especially after a heavy or greasy meal, as I find it helps relax the stomach and cleanse the pallet.
2. Peppermint
You may normally drink peppermint tea as a digestive aid, to help with IBS or an upset stomach, or when trying to lose weight. While it can help with all of these, peppermint is also one of the best ingredients in stress-relieving teas and can also be drunk to help you fall asleep more easily.
All of these amazing benefits of peppermint tea are down to its main active ingredient, menthol. It’s cooling properties help relieve minor pains and irritation, and it also acts a muscle relaxant, which is why one cup in the evening will have all the tension leaving your body immediately. It also smells great too, which is why it’s a common ingredient in things like toothpaste and chewing gum.
Peppermint also contains antibacterial agents that can help boost your immune system, as well as containing antioxidants which are beneficial to your long-term health. You can drink peppermint tea at any time of the day, but we recommend just after a meal or just before bed to get the most out of all this super tea has to offer.
Did you know our Raspberry leaf tea contains peppermint?
3. Lavender
Lavender is a common ingredient in aroma therapies and is mainly used for its calming properties. However, for some lavender aromatics can be quite an overwhelming fragrance, which is why lavender tea provides such a great alternative. Lavender is known to be a mood booster, helping reduce feelings of depression and fatigue, as well as generally helping tea drinkers fall asleep faster and have a more restful sleep.
4. Valerian root
Used in medicines since ancient Greek times as a treatment for insomnia, valerian root is typically sold today in health food stores as a dietary supplement in capsule form. However, if you like to get your vitamins and health boosts in a more pleasant manner, looking for teas with valerian root as an ingredient may be an alternative.
Apart from helping you sleep faster and better, teas containing valerian root can also help reduce stress and anxiety, and in some cases may help relieve the symptoms of PMS. Just be aware that valerian root is generally regarded to be a sedative, so whichever form you take it in, it’s best to avoid mixing it with other sedatives, muscle relaxing drugs, or alcohol.
5. Green tea
Green tea has been celebrated in China since at least the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) when it was written about in the first ever anthology of tea, The Classic of Tea, by writer and tea master Lu Yu. Ever since then, green tea has been popular in china, and its popularity spread across the region and today it is one of the most popular teas in the world. Apart from its social uses, green tea is also drunk for its abundant health benefits. It contains plenty of antioxidants, can reportedly help lower risk of heart disease and stroke, and can also be used to manage cholesterol or when trying to lose weight. Green tea does contain caffeine however, so this may be one to avoid it if you're looking for something to help you fall asleep.
There are tonnes of different varieties of green tea, but they all contain roughly the same benefits. Some are also combined with different ingredients to give different flavours, aromas, or health benefits.
6. Liquorice Root
Known as ‘sweet herb’ in Chinese, licorice is usually known for its sweet, sometimes sickly, flavour. Whether or not you’re a fan of licorice, there’s no denying the powerful medicinal properties of the root, which has been used in traditional medicines in the Mediterranean as well as in Central and East Asia for centuries. Licorice has long been used as a throat soother for coughs, improving blood flow, and helping with digestion. It reduces stress by managing the adrenal gland, controlling the levels of adrenaline and cortisol released into the body, creating a soothing effect.
It’s often mixed with Valerian root to make a natural remedy for anxiety, or to boost the effects of other anti-anxiety medication.
Did you know our Chamomile tea contains liquorice root?
7. Jujube
Both the fruit and seeds of the Jujube have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years as digestive aid as well as a sleeping aid. Oddly enough, if drunk during the day it’s supposed to have the opposite effect - it reduces fatigue and can apparently even help manage your nerves! Either way, it’s a great elixir for easing anxiety, as well as other problems that may be associated with stress such as stomach problems or feelings of depression and low energy.
Jujube is often seen in supplements to help with sleep, but can also be seen in tea form mixed with other common East Asian tea ingredients such as ginger.
Did you know our Raspberry leaf tea contains jujube?
8. Zhi Mu
Zhi mu (ch:之母) or Anemarrhena is a plant related to asparagus commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine as an ingredient to ‘clear heat and drain fire’. This essentially means that it helps with fevers, restlessness, and high pulses. It can also help with digestive problems, making it a good cure-all when you’re feeling general in a tizz or bad mood, and need some of the fire drained out of your system. Apparently it can also help quench thirst, which is never a bad thing.