The Best Tea for Sleep Valerian Root. Valerian root has a long history of being used as a sleep and stress aid. ... Chamomile. Flowers of the chamomile plant have been used for many years to treat a variety of issues, including poor sleep. ... Lavender. ... Lemon Balm. ... Passionflower. ... Magnolia Bark. ... Shift Into Sleep.
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Americans drink an average of 3.8 billion gallons of tea a year. Herbal teas have long been used for relaxation and sleep, and there is scientific evidence to support herbal teas as a holistic way to reduce fatigue Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov and improve sleep quality. Herbal teas can be a great option both day and night, especially if you’re trying to kick a caffeine habit before bed.
Herbal teas can be made from any edible herb or plant, but there are six specific herbs that have been shown to improve sleep and promote relaxation. If you want to improve your sleep, look for these herbal teas next time you’re at the grocery store.
Valerian Root
Valerian root has a long history of being used as a sleep and stress aid. It is used to treat issues that impact sleep Trusted Source National Institutes of Health (NIH) The NIH, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. nih.gov , such as stress, nervousness, headaches, and heart palpitations. Research demonstrates that a valerian root extract can improve sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov without the side effects of traditional sleep aids.
Valerian root is effective as a sleep aid due to the two naturally occurring sedatives within it called valepotriates and sesquiterpenes Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov . In one study, nearly 90% of people reported improvements in sleep after drinking valerian tea. In another study, people fell asleep faster after drinking a valerian extract and their sleep quality improved Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov .
Valerian root is reported to have an odor and earthy taste that some find unpleasant. Adding a dash of honey or maple syrup to your tea may help improve the taste.
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Flowers of the chamomile plant have been used for many years to treat a variety of issues, including poor sleep. Chamomile contains multiple active chemical compounds, including one called apigenin that has a mild tranquilizing effect Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov once it binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain.
While research is limited, chamomile has been demonstrated to improve sleep quality Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov . A study of postpartum women found that participants who drank chamomile tea reported a reduction Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov in sleep barriers and depressive symptoms. In another study of older adults, the group who received chamomile reported better quality sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov than the group who did not.
Lavender
More commonly used as aromatherapy Trusted Source National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NICCH) NCCIH funds and conducts research to help answer important scientific and public health questions about complementary health approaches. nccih.nih.gov , lavender is a purple flowering herb that has been used since the Roman empire. Not many people know that they can actually drink lavender as a tea, which can be added to a relaxing nighttime routine.
As with most herbal supplements, research on the efficacy of lavender as a sleep aid is limited. Lavender oil taken as an oral supplement has been shown to improve quality Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov and duration of sleep. There is emerging evidence that lavender oil taken orally helps reduce nighttime wakings Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov and improve mood.
However, there is some evidence to suggest that lavender aromatherapy may only have a short-term impact Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov on sleep quality. The same might be true of drinking lavender tea. In one study, those drinking lavender tea reportedly felt less fatigued Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov than the control group. However, after four weeks there were no significant changes, reinforcing the evidence that lavender is a short-term intervention for sleep problems.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, is a member of the mint family and smells slightly sweet and citrusy. The most common forms of lemon balm are tea and essential oil. Historically, lemon balm has been used as an antiviral and antibacterial medicine to treat infections and viruses. It also shows potential in helping restless sleepers Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov at night.
Drinking a cup of lemon balm tea at night may reduce symptoms associated with insomnia Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov . Lemon balm might also help reduce anxiety Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov and depression Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov . In a study comparing lemon balm to a traditional antidepressant, the participants who took 500 milligrams of lemon balm reported improved quality of life Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov scores compared to those that did not take it.
A cup of lemon balm tea a night may be a good option for you if you’re struggling with restlessness and anxiety before bed. Adding it to your evening routine as a way to help you reduce stress before bedtime may help you get more shut eye.
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Like chamomile, passionflower contains certain flavonoids that bind to the same receptors in the brain as benzodiazepines and may help reduce symptoms of anxiety Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov . There is evidence that drinking a single cup Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov of passionflower tea can help you sleep better.
Additionally, researchers found that when combined with other sleep enhancing herbs such as valerian, passionflower is just as effective in providing short term insomnia relief Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov as traditional sleeping medications. It should be noted that this study used capsules, which are able to hold a more concentrated amount of the herb than would be found in a cup of tea.
Magnolia Bark
Magnolia bark (Houpu) is a traditional Chinese herb that has been used to aid sleep for thousands of years Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov . Its primary compound, honokiol, has been shown to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep by binding to GABA receptors Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov in the brain, which help prompt sleep. Some studies report that wakefulness during the night might be increased if you’re taking magnolia bark but the time it takes to fall back asleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov is less.
While you can drink magnolia bark as a tea, it’s also available as a supplement. Since the tea is made from the bark of the magnolia tree, it may have an unpleasant taste to some. If you dislike the taste, capsulated magnolia bark might be a better option for you.
Shift Into Sleep
These top six teas have been used throughout history to encourage people into slumber and are being further backed up by science as viable options for sleeping aids. While more research is needed, it’s clear that many of these teas have calming or sedative effects that keep them popular among people struggling to get some shut eye. If you have concerns about any possible drug interactions or allergies, talk to your doctor before starting a nightly herbal tea time routine.
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About Our Editorial Team Tom Ryan Editor Tom has over 10 years of copywriting and editorial experience across sectors such as technology, healthcare, education, and consulting.
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