Mental health disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent. Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental disorders. An estimated 31% of US adults experience some anxiety disorder in their lives.
Anxiety is characterized by a persistent feeling of worry that hinders one's ability to relax. This can range from temporary, situational anxiety, like in patients undergoing dental extraction, to the ongoing feeling of nervousness that manifests as a mental disorder.
Making Your Cup of Tea
Making herbal tea is one way to manage anxiety and reduce stress. Taking a moment to pause and boil some water and steep your cup of tea can be an exercise for stress relief itself.
Symptoms of Anxiety
The physical symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating and take a toll on mental health as well as physical well-being. Some anxiety symptoms include upset stomach, poor concentration, hyperventilation, increased heart rate, and poor sleep quality.
Anxiety and Sleep
Anxiety disorders and insomnia go hand in hand. Anxiety may decrease sleep quality and lead to other sleep disorders. Simultaneously, poor sleep quality can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Treatments for anxiety and sleep disorders have many overlapping components. So relieving anxiety may lead to better sleep and better sleep may help soothe anxiety. Many of the best teas for anxiety will also help provide restful sleep.
Alternative Remedies
With the rising cost of prescription medications and their unwanted side effects, more people are looking to natural remedies to alleviate their anxiety symptoms. From lavender tea to lemon balm, there are many different options. Among these natural remedies are herbal teas, so let's take a look at some!
6 Types of Herbal Tea for Anxiety
1. Green Tea
Green tea has been used since ancient times and is considered a healthful beverage in traditional Chinese medicine. In more recent times, studies find that green tea may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
Green tea contains antioxidants and has antiviral and antibacterial activities. Additionally, green tea may promote oral health, possess anti-hypertensive properties, help in body weight control, and support bone mineral density. [PMID: 16582024] Green tea is one of the best teas for anxiety because it contains the amino acid L-theanine.
L-theanine has anti-anxiety effects, can improve mood and cognition, and aids in stress reduction. This amino acid makes green tea an effective tea to support mental health. [PMID: 31758301] Evidence suggests that green tea influences anxiety and depression symptoms by reducing stress. Green tea has also been found to benefit memory and attention as well as support brain function.
The benefits of green tea are partially due to the naturally occurring combination of L-theanine and caffeine. [PMID: 28899506] These properties make green tea a great tea for anxiety and stress reduction. It is important to note, however, that drinking tea with caffeine may exacerbate symptoms if you
2. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile has been used for thousands of years as an herbal remedy for various diseases. Research suggests chamomile tea reduces crying and fussing in infants. It also exhibits sedative effects on those experiencing withdrawal syndrome from narcotics.
Chamomile is a popular calming tea for anxiety. A randomized clinical trial found long-term chamomile to be a safe and effective treatment for moderate-to-severe generalized anxiety disorder symptoms. Chamomile tea has also been found to reduce stress levels and help people fall asleep. [PMID: 35454969 , 27912875] Having a warm cup of chamomile tea before bed can be a beneficial practice in relieving stress.
3. Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm tea has been historically and modernly used as a modulator for both mood and cognitive function. Studies found lemon balm tea to have similar effects as mainstream benzodiazepines without the impairments that come with pharmaceutical anxiolytics.
Lemon balm tea can affect neurocognition and mood, meaning drinking tea with lemon balm can calm anxiety and reduce stress levels. [PMID: 25360512] Lemon balm tea has a light, citrusy, and refreshing taste. So if you're new to drinking tea, you might want to give this one a try and reap the health benefits lemon balm has to offer!
4. Peppermint Tea
Some of the most popular herbal teas for anxiety come from the mint family.
Peppermint has traditionally been used to treat numerous ailments from IBS and morning sickness to pain and anxiety disorders. Rich in antimicrobial and antiviral properties, studies found that peppermint tea reduced anxiety and had tranquilizing effects.
Research suggests the use of peppermint has been found to be an effective treatment in significantly reducing stress in individuals. [PMID: 31695482 , 35007899 , 16767798] These actions make peppermint one of the best teas for those experiencing generalized anxiety disorders as it may help reduce severe symptoms.
5. Ashwagandha Tea
Ashwagandha root is an adaptogenic ayurvedic medicinal herb often used to treat stress and enhance overall well-being. Adaptogens are herbs that help the body adapt by regulating psychological processes in times of increased stress.
Adaptogens like ashwagandha root exert stress-protective effects by maintaining homeostasis and general well-being. Pharmacological studies confirm the anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, adaptogenic, sleep-inducing, and anxiolytic properties of ashwagandha tea.
Several studies confirm its ability to reduce anxiety and stress levels. [PMID: 32021735] Ashwagandha root makes a great calming tea for those dealing with any type of generalized anxiety disorder.
6. Black Tea
Black tea is another great tea for anxiety. Like green tea, black tea contains L-theanin which gives black tea some of its anxiolytic effects. Studies find that consuming black tea can help protect the body from many chronic disorders. (PMID: 31123432) Additionally, consuming black tea has been shown to help reduce the stress hormone cortisol and aid in stress recovery. (PMID 17013636)
Herbal Blends for Anxiety and Depression Symptoms
As you can see, there are many different teas you can use to ease anxiety. You can experiment and make your own tea blends, or you can give our loose-leaf tea blend a try!
Drink Symbi's Anxi-tea
Drink Symbi's Anxi-tea blend is our favorite (obviously) choice for anxiety and depression symptoms. Our Anxi-tea affects your nervous system by reducing anxiety.
What else is in Anxi-tea?
In addition to a few of the herbs mentioned above- chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint, and ashwagandha root- our loose-leaf tea also contains lemongrass, oatstraw, and valerian root.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass has countless benefits, including anxiolytic properties, meaning it is used to reduce anxiety levels. Studies suggest that the anxiolytic effect lemongrass has on individuals is made possible by the GABA(A) receptor- benzodiazepine complex.
This makes lemongrass a popular alternative therapy to treat anxiety disorders without all of the undesirable side effects caused by commonly used medications. Additionally, studies also found that the aroma of lemongrass had perceived anxiolytic effects on humans. [PMID: 21767622 , 32473367 , 26366471]
Oatstraw
Oatstraw has a long history of medicinal use, exhibiting psychotropic abilities that may treat conditions such as insomnia and anxiety. Oatstraw is made up of a wide range of bioactive compounds known to have a variety of cellular and physiological effects and to regulate human brain function.
Studies find oatstraw to demonstrate significant improvements in cognitive function. Amongst the cognitive benefits oatstraw may provide is the reduction of stress and anxiety as well as an improvement in overall mood. [PMID: 32485993]
Valerian Root
Valerian root is the most commonly used herbal supplement for sedation and anxiolysis. Studies find that the valerian root significantly increases frontal brain region alpha coherence while decreasing theta coherence correlated with anxiolysis, meaning it alters functional brain activity in relation to anxiety.
In other words, valerian root has been found to have therapeutic effects on anxiety and stress-related psychological constructs. These actions make valerian root a useful tool in combating anxiety and stress-related conditions. [PMID: 30632220]
FAQs
What makes tea a tea?
A "true" tea is one that comes from the camellia sinensis plant which is a species of evergreen shrub. teas that come from this same plant include green tea, black tea, and oolong tea.
What makes an herbal tea an herbal tea?
Herbal teas are made using spices, barks, flowers, and leaves from edible, non-tea plants.
How do I brew herbal tea?
It's easy...
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Bring a cup of water to boil
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add a heaping teaspoon of your loose-leaf tea
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let steep for 6-8 minutes
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Strain + enjoy your warm cup of tea
Can I drink tea everyday?
Yes! Drinking tea daily is a great way to hydrate your body while also
What is the best tea for anxiety?
Hands down Drink Symbi's Anxi-tea ;)
Is Anxi-tea a caffeinated tea?
Nope! Unlike green tea and black tea, our herbal teas contain no caffeine.
What about essential oils for anxiety?
Some oils like lavender oil and peppermint oil have been said to improve subjective sleep quality while also providing stress relief. While we would never recommend you ingest such oils, you may benefit from taking a bath with a few drops as a self-care and relaxation practice, or drinking a lavender tea.
What else can I do to relieve my anxiety?
Besides having calming teas, consider developing self-care practices like getting out in nature, meditation, and journaling.
