Cat enjoying restful sleep

Tea Time: Exploring Herbal Teas and Their Relaxing Properties

Tea Time: Exploring Herbal Teas and Their Relaxing Properties

Unwind and prepare for a good night's sleep with the soothing power of herbal teas. These bedtime teas, known for their natural flavors and calming effects, can become a vital part of your bedtime routine. Sip and sleep!

Herbal ingredients like chamomile, valerian root, and lavender are celebrated sleep aids, helping you feel relaxed without the need for taking medication. As herbal supplements, these teas not only help you sleep but also offer potential health benefits. We'll explore those below.

In this guide, we will do our best to help you get to sleep. So, join us as we explore the relaxing properties of these natural teas and how they can enhance your nightly ritual for a restful slumber.

Choosing the Best Tea for Sleep

When it comes to promoting a restful night's sleep, herbal teas offer a natural alternative to medications. While medications can be effective for some people, they may come with side effects and the risk of dependency. Herbal drinks, on the other hand, harness the power of natural remedies to help alleviate stress, encourage relaxation, and support healthy sleep patterns. Trying herbal caffeine-free teas before delving into medication is a no-brainer!

Chamomile flowers, for example, contain compounds that not only soothe the nervous system but also induce a sense of calmness and tranquility, making them an awesome choice if you are struggling with poor sleep. Even just the aroma of chamomile tea can have a calming effect on the mind, helping to ease stress and promote better sleep quality.

How Do Sleep Teas Work?

Sleep teas work through the therapeutic properties of their herbal ingredients they contain. These ingredients target various aspects of the body and mind that influence sleep quality. Chamomile, our favorite example, acts as a mild sedative, helping to calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety levels. This, in turn, can lead to lower blood pressure and a more relaxed state, making it easier to drift off into a restful slumber.

Similarly, other teas like white tea and green tea contain compounds (AKA, L-Theanine) that provide stress relief and promote relaxation, further helping you get a good rest. Just watch out for the caffeine content - avoid coffee and highly caffeinated beverages before bed!

It's important to note that while herbal options can be effective for many people, they may not be suitable for everyone, especially if you have any underlying health conditions. You should definitely chat with a healthcare professional to make sure that herbal remedies are safe and appropriate.

When to See Your Doctor

If poor sleep persists despite trying herbal teas and other natural remedies, it may be a sign of underlying health issues or chronic insomnia that requires medical attention. In such cases, don't panic. All you need to do is seek help from a doctor or healthcare provider who can offer personalized guidance and treatment options. Your doctor can help identify any underlying health conditions that may be causing your sleep difficulties and recommend appropriate interventions, such as lifestyle changes, therapy, or medications if necessary.

While we always love to recommend our functional beverages to improve your sleep, energy, immunity, and focus, you should never be ashamed or hesitant to get help.

Additionally, if you're currently taking medications or have pre-existing health conditions, it's important to consult with your doctor before adding herbal brews into your routine, as they may interact with certain medications or exacerbate underlying health issues. For example, did you know that licorice, which is a herbal ingredient in some teas as well as a candy, can raise blood pressure?

Ultimately, teas for sleep can be highly effective - just check the ingredients and consult your doctor if you're concerned about trying a new bedtime tea!

5 Snooze-Worthy Herbal Sleep Teas

Looking to establish healthy sleep habits for improving sleep quality? Sipping on these five snooze-worthy herbal infusions might just be the answer.

Chamomile Tea

White and yellow chamomile flowers

Chamomile, a tea made from the chamomile flower, is not just any herbal brew; it's a cornerstone of sleepy teas, celebrated for its mellow flavor and powerful calming properties. Chamomile tea isn't floral at all. The sweet straw flavor has long been cherished as a bedtime elixir.

A cup of chamomile tea contains the natural antioxidant apigenin, which has been shown to alleviate anxiety and induce relaxation with gentle, calming effects. Adding a warm cup of chamomile tea into your sleep routine can be a soothing way to unwind, helping you fall asleep peacefully and embrace a restful night's sleep.

Valerian Root Tea

Valerian plant in flower

Valerian root, a key ingredient in many herbal infusions, is a sought-after remedy for achieving restful sleep. If you've tried valerian before, you'll know it is distinct for its earthy, slightly bitter taste. Despite this, valerian root tea is a staple in the nightly rituals of those seeking a good night's rest. The secret lies in valerian's natural sedative properties, which are attributed to compounds like valerenic acid and valeranon. These components work synergistically to calm the mind and body, promoting deep, uninterrupted sleep.

Adding valerian root extract into your bedtime routine can help you stay asleep longer and wake up feeling refreshed, making it an essential component of any sleep regimen. The key is to have valerian tea mixed up with other herbal ingredients (or a generous teaspoon of honey) to ease the bitter taste!

Lavender Tea

lavender field

Lavender herbal tea, known for its delicate floral flavor, is an awesome bedtime companion for those seeking better sleep. As a caffeine-free option, lavender tea seamlessly integrates into your nighttime routine, offering a soothing escape from the day's stresses. This is all thanks to the aroma.

The gentle aroma of lavender has been shown to relieve anxiety and reduce stress, making it one of the best teas for promoting relaxation. Its calming effects can help lull you into a peaceful slumber, ensuring you wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead with Zest!

Add lavender herbal tea into your nightly ritual for a tranquil end to the day and a peaceful night's sleep. And if the floral scent isn't you cup of tea, then you can dampen the soapy floral taste with a mix of other herbal ingredients: lemongrass, chamomile, and valerian are classic combos.

Lemon Balm Tea

Healthy lemon balm herb

Next up, lemon balm herbal tea. With its refreshing citrusy flavor, lemon balm is a tasty addition to your nightly routine, offering potential benefits for sleep quality. As one of the top teas for promoting relaxation and achieving a good night's sleep, lemon balm tea has been researched for its ability to enhance sleep quality and promote restful slumber.

Sip on a cup of lemon balm tea before bedtime to soak in its soothing properties and enjoy a peaceful night of beauty sleep. Compared to valerian, chamomile and lavender, lemon balm hasn't undergone the most research. Still, lemon balm remains a popular choice among sleepy time teas for its potential to support relaxation and improve sleep quality.

Passionflower Tea

Purple and white passionflower bloom

Passionflower tea, our last snooze-worthy caffeine-free option often included in bedtime tea blends, is known for its potential to improve sleep quality and promote restful sleep. This herbal infusion offers a milder natural flavor compared to some other bedtime teas (lavender, we're looking at you), making it a soothing choice for winding down at the end of the day.

With its calming properties, passionflower tea may help reduce anxiety and contribute to a better night's sleep. One randomized controlled trial found that "sleep quality showed a significantly better rating for passionflower compared with the placebo" for those who drank tea in the short-term.

So, why not add a cup of passionflower tea into your nightly routine to relax and enjoy a smoother bedtime experience?

Fall Asleep with Zest

zest sleep functional tea for good sleep

Looking for a natural way to enhance your sleep quality and add a little relaxation to your nightly routine? Meet our bedtime tea blend, carefully crafted to help you achieve that deep, restful sleep you've been craving. Picture this: a soothing infusion of lavender tea, known for its calming properties, paired with the sleep-inducing powers of chamomile. But wait, there's more! We've added a touch of rose to elevate the flavor and enhance the bedtime experience.

Now, let's talk about what makes this tea truly special. Our sleep tea isn't just about taste; it's packed with functional ingredients designed to support your journey to dreamland. With 15mg of amino acid L-Theanine to clean your mind and ease nerves, plus 2mg of melatonin to support your circadian rhythm, you'll be drifting off into a deep, quality sleep in no time.

If you've tried Zest before, you'll know that we use only the best natural ingredients in our teas. That means you can enjoy the benefits of chamomile, lavender, and rose without any GMOs or microplastics. Plus, our non-plastic tea bags ensure you can sip with peace of mind, knowing you're making a choice that's good for both you and the planet.

Unwind, upgrade your bedtime routine, and recharge with caffeine-free Zest Sleep Tea tonight. Say goodbye to restless nights and hello to a world of sweet (and tasty) dreams.

FAQs

What is the best tea for sleeping?

Chamomile tea is often hailed as one of the best teas for promoting good sleep, along with lemon balm and valerian. Leave the caffeinated beverages like green tea and black tea for your morning energy boost.

Is chamomile or peppermint tea better for sleep?

While both chamomile and peppermint teas can help you sleep, chamomile is our favorite choice for its sleep-inducing properties, making it a great addition to your nightly routine.

Is it good to drink sleep tea every night?

Drinking sleep tea every night can be beneficial for improving sleep quality, especially for older adults who struggle to catch those ZZZs. Teas like chamomile and lemon balm are known to promote relaxation and support a good sleep.

Does sleep tea actually work?

Yes, sleep teas containing ingredients like chamomile have been shown to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality for many individuals in quality trials and studies. These teas are designed to help you unwind and prepare for deep sleep.

Back to blog