If you're feeling stressed and anxious, you might be looking for some natural ways to calm your nerves and relax your mind. One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to do that is by drinking some soothing herbal teas. Here you will find a few of the best nervine teas for stress and anxiety and explain how they can help you cope with everyday challenges.
What are nervine herbal teas?
Nervine teas are herbal teas that contain herbs that have an effect on the nervous system. They can help reduce stress, anxiety, tension, insomnia, irritability, and other mental and emotional issues. Nervine teas can be divided into three categories:
- Nervine tonics: These are herbs that nourish and strengthen the nervous system over time. They are usually gentle and safe to use regularly. Some examples are oat tops, skullcap, lemon balm, and lavender.
- Nervine relaxants: These are herbs that have a calming and sedative effect on the nervous system. They are useful for acute stress, anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia. Some examples are chamomile, valerian, passionflower, and hops.
- Nervine stimulants: These are herbs that have a stimulating and energizing effect on the nervous system. They are helpful for fatigue, depression, low mood, and cognitive function. Some examples are rosemary, peppermint, ginkgo biloba, and green tea.
How to use nervine teas for stress and anxiety?
The best way to use nervine teas for stress and anxiety is to drink them regularly throughout the day or whenever you feel the need. You can choose one herb or a blend of several herbs that suit your needs and preferences. Here are some tips on how to make and enjoy nervine teas:
- Use fresh or dried herbs or tea bags. We suggest organic loose leaf herbal blends.
- Use about one teaspoon of herb or one tea bag per cup of water. You can adjust the amount according to your taste and desired strength.
- Boil water and pour it over the herb or tea bag in a mug or teapot. Cover and let it steep for about 10 minutes or longer for a stronger infusion.
- Strain the tea or remove the tea bag and enjoy it hot or cold. You can add honey, lemon, milk, or other sweeteners or flavorings if you like.
- Drink up to three cups of nervine tea per day or as needed. Avoid drinking nervine relaxants before driving or operating machinery as they may cause drowsiness.
Here are some of the best nervine teas for stress and anxiety that you can try.
Chamomile Tea
This is one of the most popular and well-known herbal teas for stress and anxiety. Chamomile has a mild relaxing and sedative effect that can help ease tension, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, and digestive issues. Chamomile tea is also rich in antioxidants that can protect your cells from oxidative stress.
Lavender Tea
Lavender is another widely used herb for stress and anxiety. Lavender has a soothing and calming effect that can help reduce feelings of frustration, fatigue, anger, and sadness. Lavender tea is also beneficial for headaches, migraines, nausea, and menstrual cramps.
Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family that has a refreshing and uplifting effect on the nervous system. Lemon balm tea can help improve mood, memory, concentration, alertness, and cognitive function. Lemon balm tea is also good for digestive problems, colds, flu, and fever.
Passionflower Tea
Passionflower is a beautiful vine that has a powerful relaxing and sedative effect on the nervous system. Passionflower tea can help relieve anxiety, panic attacks, nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, and muscle spasms. Passionflower tea is also useful for high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and pain.
Incorporating these herbs into your daily routine can help support your nervous system and promote overall well-being.
Options
When it comes to picking the right tea for the right moment, it is really up to your preferences. However, we recommend if you want a relaxing moment to unwind, stay clear of caffeinated teas. Our Bear Hug and Reishi Realms are perfect for an afternoon and evening.
If you like something lighter and uplifting, try our Time to Smile, Happy Hibiscus, or Perky Tea (this one has a little caffeine from white tea).
For a great bedtime tea, or a tea for a moment of stress and anxiety, try our Cozy Chamomile. It’s formulated with powerful herbs to help with mental stress.
Precaution
When drinking herbal tea for anxiety or stress, it's important to remember that it's not a substitute for professional help. If you're struggling with mental health issues, it's important to seek help from a qualified healthcare provider. Herbal tea can be a supportive addition to your treatment plan, but it's not a replacement for professional care.
Citations
- Link - An overview of the most tranquilizer herbs.
- Link - The effects of Lemon Balm on depression and anxiety
- Link - Effects of Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) extract on neurogenesis associated with serum corticosterone and GABA in the mouse dentate gyrus
- Link - Pilot trial of lemon balm suffering from mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders and sleep disturbances
- Link - Effects of lavender on anxiety
- Link - Long-term Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial
- Link - Review of bioactivity and potential benefits of chamomile tea
- Link - Herbal medicine of the past with bright future
- Link - Chamomile and Sleep
- Link - a randomized and controlled Chamomile and oil and GAD
- Link - Anti anxiety property of herbs
- Link - Passionflower: a Reliable Herbal Sedative
- Link - For anxiety disorder
- Link - A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality