Top 5 Herbal Teas You Can Drink to Reduce Stress & Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are a part of many of our lives. Sometimes we feel restless, maybe for no reason. Our minds are constantly busy, depriving us of a good night’s sleep. In these situations, some people resort to medication, but many also prefer to choose a more natural way: from plants and nature. The simplest and healthiest option is herbal teas. With the correct choice of herbal tea, you can calm your mind, lift the pressure off your shoulders, and experience the feeling of lightness and freedom. Some herbal teas have compounds in them that naturally affect the brain, help reduce anxiety, and improve sleep.

In this article, we will learn about 5 popular and effective herbal tea blends that not only are simple to brew, but also scientifically proven to help reducing anxiety and stress. No medication or chemical supplements.

#1 Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is one of the most popular and flavorful herbs in the world of teas. Its cooling nature opens both the heart and the mind. Research shows that both mint aroma and its consumption reduce anxiety levels and improve brain function in stressful situations.

Peppermint has a compound called menthol, known for reducing stress and calming the mind. This organic compound helps reduce heart rate and creates a relaxed state by affecting certain receptors in the body. Caffeine-free peppermint tea is a simple-to-brew and healthy herbal tea before bed or in the evening.

If you’re looking for a more unique flavor, add ginger or lemon to your peppermint. This blend not only tastes great, but also enhances its calming effect.

#2 Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a herb that has long been used around the world to calm nerves, reduce tension, and improve sleep. One of the main ingredients in chamomile is apigenin. This organic substance has an effect similar to anti-anxiety drugs.

Chamomile tea has a very mild, slightly sweet flavor with a floral aroma. If you drink this tea, it helps you calm down and reduces your stress. However, if you mix it with lavender or dried rose before brewing, its effects multiply. A cup of chamomile before bed helps to calm your mind and relax your body, giving you a deeper sleep. Chamomile tea’s main benefit that it allows you to reduce and manage your stress without taking any other medications.

#3 Lavender tea

Lavender is not just a fragrant plant for aromatherapy. It has had a very special place in herbal medicine for years. Its calming aroma can affect mood even without drinking it, but when you drink lavender tea, its effect is deeper and helps you calm the nerves and sleep better.

Lavender contains compounds that affect the nervous system. Studies suggest that its effects are comparable to sedatives. Drinking lavender tea before bed can reduce your daily tensions and help you sleep with a piece of mind.

If you want a more varied flavor, you can mix lavender with mint or apple blossom.

#4 Rose Tea

Rose has always been a symbol of tenderness and beauty, but few people know that rose tea also has other health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety. The compounds in rose petals help the body reach a state of balance and calm the mind.

A study shows that the scent of rose and its extract have anti-stress effects. Now imagine drinking a hot cup of rose petal tea. Its effects on your mental health are extraordinary. Rose tea usually has a floral, slightly fruity, and delicate flavor, as delicate as the flower itself. Combining roses with herbs such as raspberries, hibiscus, lemon zest, or ginger gives the tea a unique, better taste and increases its calming effect. Rose tea can be an organic alternative to anti-anxiety supplements and medications.

To brew a cup of rose petal tea, just add a few dried petals to an infuser. Then pour boiling water over them. Steep it for 5 minutes and then enjoy your hot cup of rose tea.

#5 Matcha Tea

Matcha is a special type of Japanese green tea usually sold in powder form. Its main difference from regular green tea is in its cultivation method and its organic compounds. Matcha is high in L-theanine, a natural substance that increases alpha waves in the brain and is associated with a sense of relaxation, focus, and alertness.

Interestingly, matcha has both caffeine and L-theanine. But unlike coffee, which increases your heart rate or makes you feel anxious, matcha tea provides a balanced combination of energy and relaxation. This tea is the perfect choice if you need high concentration but don’t want the associated palpitations and anxiety.

You can enjoy matcha plain, in a latte, or even in desserts and smoothies. To brew matcha tea, you need special tools and a good recipe, both of which you can find in another post I wrote just for matcha tea and matcha latte.

Conclusion

In a world full of hustle and bustle, it’s natural for the mind to be restless sometimes. But that doesn’t mean the only way is medication or sleeping with disturbed thoughts. Herbal teas play a small but effective role in calming the mind. From mint and chamomile to rose and matcha, there are simple and accessible plants whose relaxing effect comes not only from experience, but also confirmed by scientific research. Each of these blends, with their own unique flavor and different herbs are a part of your daily routine to reduce anxiety. The important thing is that all of these ways are natural, drug-free, and make at home at minimal cost. Without the need for a prescription or a trip to the pharmacy, you get some of your mental health care from nature. If you feel like your mind needs a break, a cup of these herbal teas might be just what you’ve been waiting for.