If you are suffering from stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression or feeling irritable and have a headache, herbal teas may provide you the answer to de-stress your life. Nothing more soothing than a cup of herbal tea after a hectic day at work or to de-stress your lifestyle!
Unlike the ‘true’ teas (green, black, white and oolong tea), herbal teas are caffeine-free. They contain a lot of vitamins and minerals to energize your body and mind. Caffeine should be avoided when you want to relax since it induces the feeling of stress, nervousness, and anxiety. Enjoy them nice and hot on a winter’s day to lift your spirit or make a refreshing iced tea when you’re feeling too hot.
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The herbal teas mentioned in this article will help you to alleviate stress-related issues. When taken 30 minutes to an hour prior to going to bed, they’ll help you to relax your mind and body and help you to have a better and peaceful night’s rest.
Valerian
The herb valerian is most commonly known as a treatment for insomnia and can also help to relieve tensions, stress or anxiety. Clinical trials show that it helps users to fall asleep faster and they reported a deeper and more refreshing night’s sleep.
Although Valerian is an excellent herbal remedy to de-stress your life many people don’t like its bitter and musky flavor. So I prefer to blend it with other nicely flavored herbs to take advantage of this wonderful herb.
As a general rule, valerian should be taken an hour or so before retiring for the night and you will need to take your dose for two or three weeks before you start to feel any appreciable beneficial effects. However, because valerian is considered to be a fairly strong herbal remedy, you should not take it for more than three months at a time.
Lemon balm
Lemon balm has a calming and soothing effect on your system. It shows great results when feeling depressed or stressed-out. It is commonly known for its mood lifting properties and can alleviate feelings of sadness. Lemon balm tea can also help you to relieve daily tension and shows great results for people who suffer from insomnia.
Lemon balm can perfectly be combined with valerian or any other calming and soothing herbs such as chamomile and hop. This will enhance the relaxed feeling on your nervous and digestive system.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a popular herbal tea and actually one of my favorites for its overall health benefits. It has relaxing and calming properties and works as a natural sedative and is safe for kids to use as well. As a natural tranquilizer, it helps people to have a better night’s rest and alleviates stress, depression, and anxiety.
The apple-like scented flowers are used to infuse your tea with a delicious aroma that soothes mind, body, and spirit. A cup of chamomile has calming effects, especially when used in the evenings before settling down for a good night’s rest.
Keep in mind that chamomile tea is made from the whole flower and can in some cases cause allergic reactions in persons who are sensitive to pollen allergies.
Cinnamon
Many people around the world are starting to appreciate this sweet, tasty and wonderful herb for its medicinal benefits. It prevents nervous tension and lifts depression and hopelessness. It gives us a mental boost and helps us to concentrate and stimulates creativity.
Cinnamon can be added to most of your tea mixtures and shows great results when added to foods and beverages on a regular basis.
Scroll down for more relaxing teas and info.
St. John’s Wort
Another great herb with a long history of medicinal use is St. John’s wort. These days it is commonly known for its antidepressant and mood-lifting effects. It also shows great results to alleviate night terrors in children and is used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
It contains hypericin that is responsible for boosting your mood and hyperforin which prevents the breakdown of serotonin, a feel-good hormone that keeps your brain in balance. The melatonin, on the other hand, enhances a healthy sleep.
Studies also show successful results in the treatment of mental and emotional disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and pre-menstrual tension (PMT).
Keep in mind that when you take it to alleviate anxiety or depressions that it takes 2-3 weeks to have any major effect. Make sure you don’t take it with other anti-depressants.
How to Prepare Your Herbal Tea?
You can either use those herbs singly or make a blend. Personalize your tea to your own liking and feel its soothing and calming effect on mind and body!
Use 1 teaspoon of dried or 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs for 1 cup of boiled water. Steep for 5-10 minutes. To avoid all the good stuff from evaporating during the steeping process you must place a lid or saucer on top of your cup or teapot. Strain the herbs from the water and your tea is good to go! I often like to add lemon slices to enhance the flavor. even better.
ALSO READ: How To Prepare The Perfect Cup Of Tea
Other herbal teas that are known for their de-stressing and mind lifting properties:
- passionflower
- linden flower
- lavender
- nettle loose leaf
- dandelion leaf
- skullcap
- ginseng
- ginger
- mint
- catnip
- kava
So go ahead and start to experiment with those wonderful herbs and brew your own uplifting herbal tea!
What are your favorite herbs to soothe your mind and de-stress from your day? Feel free to share your favorite recipe in the comment box below!
Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!
Amy Goodrich
Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.
