What Are The Best Herbal Tea Ingredients For Sleep?

A good night’s sleep is key to overall health and well-being. But many of us struggle to get quality rest due to stress, anxiety and insomnia. One natural sleep solution that’s been used for centuries to help with sleep is herbal tea. Calming and sleep-inducing, herbal teas can be a gentle and effective way to improve sleep. Here we explore the best herbal tea ingredients for sleep, their benefits, side effects and how to make them. 

Top 5 Ingredients To Help You Sleep

Chamomile

Chamomile is the most well-known herbal remedy for sleep. This gentle herb, often drunk as a tea, is renowned for its calming effects. Our Love Tea Organic Calming Tea Loose Leaf 50g, for instance, includes chamomile, lemon balm and lavender to calm the nervous system. Chamomile has antioxidants like apigenin which binds to receptors in the brain to relax and reduce insomnia. Drinking chamomile tea before bed will calm your mind and body for sleep.

Valerian Root

Valerian root has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for insomnia and anxiety. This herb is thought to influence neurotransmitters in the brain, including GABA which is key to sleep. Valerian root can help you fall asleep faster and improve sleep quality so you wake up feeling great. It has a strong earthy taste that may take some time to get used to it, but sedative properties make it a great addition to any sleep tea blend. Our Love Tea Organic Sleep Tea Loose 60g includes valerian, passion flower and lavender all known for their sleep-inducing properties.

Lavender

Lavender is famous for its calming scent and effects in herbal teas like our Better Tea Gut Feelings Pouch 75g. Lavender helps to calm the mind and body so you can fall asleep. The essential oils in lavender, linalool and linalyl acetate have anxiolytic and sedative properties. Drinking lavender tea or adding a few drops of lavender oil to your tea will enhance the sleep-inducing effects.

Passionflower 

Passionflower is another great herb for sleep. It’s been used traditionally to treat insomnia and anxiety. Passionflower increases the level of GABA in the brain like valerian root. This herb calms the mind and reduces anxiety so you can fall asleep and stay asleep all night.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a member of the mint family with a lovely lemon scent. This herb is calming and reduces anxiety. Lemon balm tea will ease the mind and help you wind down before bed. It also contains compounds that will enhance the effects of other sleep-inducing herbs making it a great addition to any sleep tea.

How Do These Ingredients Help With Sleep? 

Promotes Relaxation 

Many of these herbs such as chamomile and lavender, have compounds that relax the nervous system. Chamomile’s apigenin and lavender’s linalool calm the mind, reduce stress and prepare the body for sleep. By relaxing the body these herbs create an environment to fall asleep easier. The Better Tea Hemp Relief Pouch 75g, for example, combines New Zealand-grown hemp seed hearts with rosehip, clove and cinnamon to comfort and rejuvenate.

Reduce Anxiety 

Herbs like valerian root and passionflower have anxiolytic properties, so they help reduce anxiety. Anxiety and stress are common causes of insomnia and these herbs help mitigate the impact by calming the mind and body. Our Better Tea Anxietea Pouch 60g, for example, blends essential herbs with licorice root to soothe stress and anxiety. Reducing anxiety makes it easier to wind down and sleep better.

Improves Sleep Quality

The combination of relaxation and anxiety reduction can lead to improved sleep quality. Herbal ingredients like valerian root and passionflower not only help you fall asleep faster but also improve the quality of your sleep. By addressing both the onset and maintenance of sleep these herbs contribute to a more restorative sleep. Check out our Love Tea Organic Immunity Tea 20 Pyramids which has an earthy blend of echinacea root, ginger and rosehip to support overall wellness.

Are There Any Side Effects Of Herbal Tea For Sleep?

While herbal teas are generally safe, be aware of the side effects. Chamomile and lavender are usually fine but can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Valerian root can cause dizziness, headaches or digestive issues. Passionflower and lemon balm are usually safe but can cause nausea in sensitive people. 

Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new herbs especially if you have existing health conditions or taking other meds.

How To Prepare Herbal Teas For Sleep?

Preparing herbal tea for sleep is simple and can be tailored to your preferences. Here’s a basic guide to get you started: 

• Choose Your Herbs: Pick one or more of the herbs above, individually or as a blend. You can find pre-mixed sleep teas or create your own blend using dried herbs.
• Boil Water: Boil a pot of water. The amount of water will depend on how many cups of tea you want to make.
• Steep The Herbs: Put your chosen herbs in a tea infuser or teapot. Pour the boiling water over the herbs and let it sleep for 5-10 minutes. The longer you steep the tea the stronger the flavour and effects will be. 
• Strain and Serve: Remove the herbs from the water and pour the tea into a cup. You can add a squeeze of honey or lemon if you like.
• Drink Before Bed: Drink your herbal tea 30 minutes before bed to give the calming effects time to kick in.

Herbal teas can be a wonderful natural remedy for improving sleep. Ingredients such as chamomile, valerian root, lavender, passionflower, and lemon balm are known for their calming and sleep-promoting properties. With the right preparation, a soothing cup of herbal tea can be a delightful part of your nightly self care routine, helping you to unwind and drift off to sleep naturally.