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Anxiety comes in many different forms, and most of us probably know it well. Sometimes it can feel absolutely overwhelming, but there are ways to help cope. Our favorite way to ease anxiety? Slow down. Sip some tea. And watch the clouds go by. Here I’m going to review some of the best teas for kicking back and relaxing. Easing anxiety symptoms is what holistic methods like tea (& herbal tea!) is best used for. When it comes to treating anxiety, that job is best left to a medical professional. So, what just is the best tea for anxiety? Let’s break it down!
See also: For the headache sufferers out there, these teas might be able to help you overcome some of the pain!
Anxiety and Tea
Anxiety affects everyone differently, but often slowing down is the best method to use. Taking deep breaths, and reaching for a warm drink is a great place to start. If you’ve ever wondered why people brew coffee or tea in times of tragedy or sadness, that’s exactly why. It helps you calm down and reflect just a little. Before reviewing these I can tell you I’ve always used green tea for this purpose exactly.
Whether it’s been a looming assignment, or rough day green tea always helps me focus and move on with my time. Getting over the hump with anxiety, that heart-pumping, nervousness and shaking is the toughest part. Start with a cup of tea, and go from there. Even the act of making tea can be an exercise in meditation. Something familiar, and simple to help you slow down a bit. Let’s look at some teas that are great for anxiety.
Peppermint Tea
The best thing about peppermint is the refreshing, palate-cleansing minty flavor. I’ve yet to have a peppermint tea that’s too overwhelming or harsh. That is to say, too minty. They’re usually well balanced, sometimes with other herbs or fruit. At any rate, the taste of peppermint will never disappoint!
The anxiety fighting properties of this tea are intrinsic to its main ingredient. Menthol, found in peppermint, is a natural muscle relaxant. It’s highly aromatic, so these properties will do their work the second you pour the hot water over this tea. With peppermint tea, you’re tackling the tense and overwhelming feelings that come from your muscles contracting. This tea will help you slow right on down for a moment or two.
Chamomile Tea
This rich, buttery and roasted tasting floral tea is ideal for relaxing for a number of different ailments. Best known for when you’re not feeling well, chamomile tea is a classic cure-all for just about anything you can think of. What it comes down to is one thing, the flower-power of this herbal delight is downright good for you. What’s most interesting about these herbal teas is how they treat one aspect of the overall condition. Chamomile tea is best known for its anti-insomnia properties. It fights excessive stress by inducing a sleepy-calm over the body. Within moments of your first sip, you’ll feel your muscles calming down. This is the perfect tea to reach for when you feel like everything is just out of control.
Green Tea
Green tea is a grassy, and butter type of tea leaf that will bring you focus and calm. It has just enough caffeine to perk you up and get you back on track. After that, its calming and deep focus inducing properties will help you concentrate, and reflect on what’s important. It’s by far the ‘cleanest’ tasting tea I’ve ever had. To put in plainly, drinking green tea feels a lot like taking a hot shower, but for your insides.
It will clear your head, help your stomach and ease your muscles too. A natural antibacterial agent, it will even freshen your breath and make you feel deeply refreshed. Many people talk about green tea like they would a health supplement, and they’re not wrong. Try this antioxidant-rich beverage next time you’re feeling blue.
Lavender Tea
Long known for its anti-stress properties, lavender has a good reputation as a natural healer. The first thing you’ll come to recognize about lavender is its uniquely floral, and soothing scent. The aroma a fresh cup of lavender tea produces is not unlike that of the plant, only tenfold. Reach for a cup of this stuff when you want something soothing and fresh. Another bonus that comes with lavender tea is the sheer number of blends you can find it in.
A true herbal tea with no added ‘tea leaves’, this caffeine-free alternative to many anti-stress blends is popular among many natural living fans. If it couldn’t sound any better than that, this stuff produces a beautiful color that is absolutely entrancing. Lastly, this stuff will get you off to bed if your stress is kicking in during the evening. When combined with chamomile, it’s a powerful tea for sleep.
Valerian Root Tea
This is by far one of the most popular herbal teas for treating anxiety you can find on the web. Browse around for a little while and you’ll find countless pieces on the anti-stress properties of this herbal root tea. The fact of the matter is that Valerian root tea has been used for centuries to induce sleep, and fight insomnia. Not only that, but it helps bring you down into a state of relaxation, too! Try this strong serotonin-regulator the next time you feel like your emotions and feelings are getting the better of you. The only place this tea loses points is in taste. It really isn’t the best tasting tea on this list, sort of woodsy/oaky, if you can imagine such a thing. I would personally recommend looking for a valerian tea blend.
Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm tea is not actually derived from lemons at all. It comes from a small herb related to mint. It has a slight lemony aroma, which leads to its name. It’s also commonly used for commercial flavorings in a number of products. Its flowery bouquet is a lot like some of the other flower herbal teas featured in our review. It’s safe to say if you’re a fan of those, you won’t be disappointed!
As an anxiety-fighter lemon balm deals with the feelings of heightened alertness and excitement that comes with anxiety. If you feel very much on edge, lemon balm tea can help you calm down into a slightly more sedated state. This can be great for those who are struggling to regulate their feelings of being ‘on’ during irregular or infrequent bouts of anxiety. If you feel as if you experience chronic anxiety, or experience very frequent symptoms you should contact your doctor right away.
What is the Best Tea for Anxiety?
By far Valerian root tea is going to help the most with anxiety-related symptoms. It will slow you right down, and help ease tension in your body. Many people take valerian root as a supplement on a daily basis. If you haven’t used it before make sure to consult a physician to make sure it’s safe for you to consume. Especially if you experience any underlying health problems. While the taste of most valerian teas might not be anything to write home about, the health benefits certainly are. Reducing stress over long periods of time can have a direct correlation with your overall cardiovascular health. It’s safe to say that lower stress levels can lead to a healthier life overall, have you tried this tea?
You can find valerian in a number of different ways. First is ‘straight-up’ in dried form, perfect for brewing. If you prefer a simpler method it’s also sold by countless numbers of companies as a bagged tea. Simple to brew, and easy to store these convenient bagged valerian teas mean you can take a sip of this stuff just about every day!
Have you had your fill of calming teas? If not, you should consider some other pairings for these remarkable relaxers! Many people use them not only for kicking a bad day, but other activities as well. It’s not uncommon to hear of people discussing their favorite teas for settling down with a book, practicing yoga or kicking it into 5th gear first thing in the morning! Thanks for taking the time to check out these reviews. With so many options, let us know which one of these beautiful brews you’ve tried!
See also: Want to find a way to take your mind off things? Try making your own soy chai tea for a relaxing and delicious treat!
