Discovering the most beneficial herbal teas for anxiety sufferers
Drinking herbal teas to support health and general well-being may seem like a new trend, but herbal teas for anxiety relief have been around since the Ark.
However, herbal teas have been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat many illnesses.
In fact, some medical uses of herbal teas date as far back as 4000 years ago during the Shang dynasty in China.
A growing number of people are now drinking herbal teas, with many claiming that some of these teas contain compounds that can stave off diseases and help alleviate stress, anxiety, pain, soreness, and more.
While scientific studies are still ongoing to back up these claims, it’s important to note that what may work for someone else may not work for you.
Hence, it’s a good idea to be patient until you find the ideal type of tea for your needs.
Below, we list the 30 best herbal teas for anxiety and stress.
30 best herbal teas for anxiety
1. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is made from dried chamomile flowers steeped in hot water.
This herbal tea is one of the best herbal teas for aniety as it is naturally caffeine-free, meaning that it won’t worsen your anxiety symptoms.
Chamomile has a long history of use in herbal medicine to calm anxiety and settle an upset stomach.
A cup of chamomile tea can naturally increase your body’s serotonin and melatonin levels, leaving you with a relaxed feeling.
It can also strengthen your nervous system, alleviate muscle aches and soothe the migraines associated with stress and anxiety.
2. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint is a pleasant, naturally sweet beverage that is still used for medicinal purposes today.
This delicious tea is naturally caffeine and calorie-free, and it can be safely consumed at any time of the day.
Medical uses of herbal teas date as far back as 4000 years ago during the Shang dynasty in China.
A calming cup of tea can act as a natural antispasmodic and sedative, helping relax both your body and mind.
Peppermint is also good for your digestive system, making it an excellent choice for those whose stress and anxiety levels tend to trigger stomach problems.
3. Gotu Kola Tea
Gotu Kola is a herb in the parsley family with a long history of use since the ancient times in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.
Gotu kola tea is perceived to help treat the feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression.
An earlier animal study concluded that Gotu kola extract may be used to treat both acute and chronic anxiety.
While more research is still needed to fully understand the effects of Gotu kola, a cup of Gotu kola tea can be a refreshing way to spice up your day and boost your nutrient intake.
4. Valerian Root Tea
Native to Europe and some parts of Asia, valerian tea has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for anxiety, insomnia, and digestive disorders.
It is also considered a potent sedative, promoting calm and inducing deep sleep.
The tea, sometimes referred to as ‘nature’s valium’, can subtly increase the levels of a chemical in your brain known as Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
This means that it can regulate nerve impulses, helping ease stress and anxiety.
Valerian root tea has also been found to increase focus, which allows you to think more clearly and balance your serotonin and norepinephrine levels, hence providing long-term stress relief.
5. Ashwagandha Tea
Ashwagandha is a traditional medicinal herb celebrated for its immune-boosting and de-stressing properties.
Ashwagandha tea may offer numerous health benefits, including improved high blood pressure, feelings of anxiety, stress, mood, memory, inflammation, and fertility.
A 2012 clinical trial found that Ashwagandha root extract significantly reduced stress levels in two months. This tea is best drank after lunch and dinner.
6. Lemon Balm Tea
This herbal tea is made by steeping dried lemon balm leaves in hot water.
Lemon balm is used to treat various conditions, including stress, anxiety, menstrual cramps, and insomnia.
Lemon balm tea bags have a soothing lemony scent that can help calm down tensed muscles and heightened senses.
It also contains rosmarinic acid, a compound that helps activate the GABA receptors in your brain, helping relieve stress and anxiety.
Lemon balm is also one of the best herbal teas that can improve concentration levels by enhancing your memory and brainpower.
Drinking a moderate amount of lemon balm tea can also help treat headaches and muscle cramps while soothing an upset stomach.
7. Holy Basil
Native to India, holy basil is a common and valued herb in traditional medicine in India.
Because of its peppery taste, the herb is sometimes called ‘hot basil’ and is one of the best teas for anxiety.
Research shows that this powerful herb is an adaptogen, meaning that it helps your body adapt to stress while combating the negative effects of stress.
8. Lavender Tea
This herbal tea for anxiety is made by steeping the flowers of lavender plants in hot water.
The calming properties of lavender herbal tea can act as a muscle relaxant and help calm your nerves while boosting the digestive system.
Lavender essential oils have been found to relieve stress, promote relaxation, soothe tension, and ward off headaches.
Lavender tea also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help counteract the unwanted effects of stress on your body, making it one of the best teas for soothing anxiety and stress.
9. Green Tea
Made from the leaves of camellia sinensis plant, green tea is chock full of polyphenol antioxidants that offer numerous positive effects on your physical and mental health.
Epicatechin, a polyphenol in the tea, has been well-studied and found to neutralize free radicals and protect the brain from oxidative damage.
Green tea leaves also possess an amino acid l-theanine that promotes relaxation and better sleep quality while keeping stress and caffeine jitters at bay.
10. Turmeric Tea
Turmeric tea contains a chemical known as curcumin, which seems to deliver the anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects of turmeric tea.
According to a recent research review, curcumin may also have anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties that can help combat the symptoms of anxiety and stress.
11. Passionflower Tea
Passionflower originated from the southeastern United States and has been traditionally used to help with sleep.
Passionflower tea is a soothing beverage made by steeping dried leaves of the lovely passionflower in hot water. T
The herbal tea boasts a sweet and pleasant grassy aroma and is said to help with stress and anxiety disorder by increasing GABA levels.
Passionflower also contains phytochemicals and alkaloids, which have been shown to reduce stress levels, leaving you with increased motivation and a calm feeling.
12. St. John's wort
Named after John the Baptist, St. John’s wort has been used for centuries to help treat mental health conditions.
The effects of this herbal remedy on depression have been widely studied, and it may also ease the symptoms of anxiety.
Please note that St. John’s Wort may interact with certain medications; hence it’s a good idea to consult your doctor first.
13. Fennel Tea
Fennel is a popular herb due to its numerous health benefits.
A cup of fennel tea offers antimicrobial and antiviral agents that help your body fight against pathogens attacking your immune system.
These kinds of teas have long been used to calm anxiety, and according to a 2018 human trial, fennel has anti-anxiety and antidepressants in postmenopausal women.
14. Rhodiola
Rhodiola is a relatively rare herb that has been used as an adaptogen for centuries in Europe and parts of Asia.
A cup of Rhodiola tea can help combat fatigue and reduce stress after a long day.
Rhodiola is considered an effective herbal tea for anxiety and certain mood disorders.
The next time you want a herbal beverage to improve your mental performance, physical fitness, or resilience, Rhodiola tea may help.
15. Rosehip Tea
With high levels of antioxidants, rosehip tea is often advertised as an excellent source of vitamin C.
The tea is brewed from the fruits of the rose plant, and its fans claim that it’s a great way to boost your immune system, reduce joint pain, and even combat oxidative stress.
Rosehip tea contains antioxidants, phytonutrients, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe stomach muscles, consequently alleviating stomach cramps and bloating.
The good news is that rosehip tea is caffeine-free and acts as a natural sedative, making it the best alternative to caffeinated teas.
16. Ginseng Tea
Ginseng has been used as a herbal supplement for many years in Chinese medicine.
It is famed for its beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can inhibit inflammation while increasing the antioxidant capacity in your cells.
Ginseng tea drinkers also claim that Ginseng tea can help treat erectile dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and fatigue.
17. Rose Tea
Rose tea is a herbal infusion made from dried petals and buds of the rose plant.
The tea is naturally caffeine, sugar, and calories-free, and it features a mildly sweet and delicate fruity flavor that is not overpowering.
Multiple studies have found that rose petals have a relaxing effect that can help soothe anxiety and reduce stress.
A cup of this calming tea is an excellent source of vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory effects that can relieve tension and pain while improving your mood and helping you relax.
18. Hops Tea
The female flowers of the hop plants are a popular flavoring in beer.
They can also be steeped in hot water to make a bitter-tasting herbal tea loaded with health benefits.
According to a 2017 study, hops supplements can effectively reduce mild symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression.
19. Catnip Tea
Catnip tea is another herbal tea that has been used for many decades to help with restlessness, nervousness, diarrhea, gas, asthma, and more.
Made by introducing boiling water to dried catnip leaves/flowers and steeping for about ten minutes.
Catnip tea is an effective herbal tea for anxiety with no side effects when used in small quantities.
This calming herb contains nepetalactone, a compound that can help relieve anxiety and promote a good night’s sleep.
20. Kava Tea
Kava tea possesses calming effects, making it a popular alternative to sleep medications and a preferred drink for relaxation in ceremonies.
This incredible herbal beverage is made from the Piper methysticum plant, and it has a euphoric effect that many compare to that of alcohol.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Kava possesses a mild anti-anxiety effects, and research suggests that Kava tea can help treat stress and the symptoms of anxiety disorders.
Please keep in mind that Kava has been linked to serious liver damage.
21. Licorice Root Tea
Licorice root tea has been used for centuries to help treat numerous ailments such as digestive issues and respiratory conditions.
Licorice root has become an incredibly popular sweetener and candy.
Although research is limited, licorice is commonly touted to reduce stress, anxiety, and fatigue.
22. Rosemary Tea
A cup of rosemary tea possesses compounds that have been found to significantly reduce anxiety levels, improve concentration, and boost your mood.
While smelling or drinking rosemary offers these incredible benefits, more research is still needed.
23. Oat Straw Tea
Made from the stems, flowers, and seeds of the popular oat plants, oat tea can help you relax, boost your mood, and reduce fatigue.
Studies also show that this herbal tea can improve attention and concentration.
24. Matcha Tea
Matcha is a high-quality tea prepared from specially processed green tea leaves.
The tea contains the highest levels of L-theanine, an amino acid that has been found to promote relaxation and offer stress relief.
25. Tulsi Tea
Tulsi is considered an adaptogen in Ayurveda, helping the body adapt to outside stressors.
Sipping Tulsi tea can help maintain the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, which helps reduce overall stress and anxiety.
26. Yogi Herbal Tea
This herbal tea blend can help relieve stress.
They are available in two options where one contains kava kava, and the other tea option contains lavender.
Both kava kava and lavender have been found to ease tension and anxiety while promoting relaxation.
However, kava kava may have some mild side effects.
27. Gaia Herbal Tea
Gaia herbal tea is a caffeine-free beverage that features a herbal blend of natural herbs that promote relaxation.
This tea contains passionfruit, chamomile, and lemon balm, which help you relax.
28. Ginger Tea
A warm cup of ginger tea can help sharpen your brain and combat stress.
Research shows that ginger can influence your serotonin levels and help treat/reduce anxiety effectively.
29. Black Tea
Black tea is a herbal beverage with a potent soothing effect, making it a potent herbal tea for anxiety.
It offers many health benefits, including promoting calm and relaxation thanks to the L-theanine compound.
Black tea also contains caffeine which can improve mental clarity, focus and alertness.
30. White Tea
White tea is another beneficial tea for anxiety.
Like black tea, white tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis plant.
This incredibly healthy tea can calm the stimuli in your brain, helping you relax while also improving focus.
It also contains L-theanine which enhances the production of GABA receptors.
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