The Best Relaxing Tea To Calm and Soothe Your Mind, Body, & Soul

Feeling stressed out? Reach for a piping hot mug of tea to help you relax and unwind. Tea comes in thousands of different flavors whether you like sweet and floral or bold and earthy. The delicious aromas swirl from your cup and engulf your senses in a soothing sensation. Teas area also packed with antioxidants and amino acids that are scientifically proven to induce a calming effect. Relax your mind, body, and soul with a relaxing tea from this list of soothing and sumptuous flavors.

Looking for teas that can help you relax? Check out our bundle of tasty caffeine-free teas to unwind with.

The Best Tea to Calm and Soothe

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is an herbal tea made from chamomile flowers that tastes similar to a crisp green apple. The tea offers a natural calming effect that makes it a popular bedtime tea. Researchers have found that chamomile works directly on GABA receptors to signal neurotransmitters to reduce stress hormones like serotonin (1). Drinking a cup of tea made with chamomile flowers can help to soothe and unwind after a long day.

True Teas

True teas are teas made from the leaves of the tea plant known as Camellia sinensis. These teas include green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea, and pu-erh tea. They're packed with health benefits thanks to the presence of antioxidants. In addition to antioxidants like polyphenols and catechins, these teas contain an amino acid known as L-theanine. This amino acid helps to improve focus and reduce stress — some studies show that it is so soothing it may help improve sleep (2). It's important to note that while herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free, true teas contain caffeine, which can make some people feel jittery. Stick with white tea or green tea, which contain less caffeine than other true teas.

Lavender Tea

The scent of lavender is often associated with soothing landscapes and calm visions. That's because the fragrance of this purple flower has been scientifically proven to induce relaxation (3). Lavender directly targets the nervous system to help soothe and reduce stress. It's so effective and offers fewer side effects compared to prescription medications that the plant is approved for use in German supplements to treat panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder (4).

Passionflower Tea

Passionflower tea is made from the flower petals of plants belonging to the Passiflora family. The tea has long been used by traditional societies in South America and Europe to treat restlessness and anxiety. Research shows that passionflower tea works directly on neurotransmitters to help soothe anxiety and improve sleep (5).

Peppermint Tea

Mint tea can be made using a variety of plants from the mint family including nana mint — the one used to make Moroccan mint tea — and chocolate mint. The tea features an invigorating flavor that offers a lasting finish. It has a tingling sensation that dances along your tongue and it is a wildly popular digestion tea as it helps to soothe nausea and upset stomach.

Valerian Root Tea

Valerian root has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional herbal remedies to soothe anxiety. Research shows that tea may help improve sleep and soothe symptoms of insomnia in certain patients (6). Valerian tea has a woodsy flavor that is earthy and rich. The flavor can be overwhelming for new tea drinkers. To balance out the flavor, you can blend it with lemongrass tea or add a dash of honey.

Lemon Balm Tea

Lemon balm tea is a calming herb that produces a mild sedative effect that can help people relax. It's commonly extracted into essential oil and is also available in supplement form. Animal research shows that lemon balm tea may increase GABA levels in the brain, helping to provide a calming effect (7). In addition, some research shows that drinking this tea may help to treat symptoms of insomnia (8).

Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root tea offers a sweet flavor that lingers on your tongue for minutes after each sip. The full-bodied tea has extensive benefits that range from decreased blood pressure to improved relaxation. This tea contains antioxidants that can help to improve blood flow and support healthy adrenal gland function. This can enable the body to decrease serotonin levels, which are directly related to stress. Just add a few slices of this root to boiling water and sip your way to relaxation.

Fennel Tea

Fennel tea is made from the fennel herb and offers a soothing sensation that is perfect for relaxation. The tea is a powerful digestive aid that can help soothe an upset stomach and cramping that can obstruct relaxation. The tea may also be beneficial for insomnia.

Relax With Ridiculously Great-Tasting Teas

Drinking tea or an herbal blend can help offer stress relief and provide a calming moment to gather your thoughts. The mere act of enjoying a hot mug of tea can help you slow down the day and focus on your mental health. Brew up a cup of tea using loose leaf tea blends or tea bags and drink your way to good health. Take a sip of these tasty calming teas and inhale the delightful aromas and relaxing sensations they have to offer.

Sources:

1. https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=chamomile+GABA+study&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6366437/

3. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181023085648.htm

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28511598

5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18499602

6. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Valerian-HealthProfessional/

7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21076869

8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3230760/