What is The Best Tea to Drink for Anxiety?

I have experienced several periods in my life when I struggled with serious anxiety. Dealing with anxiety often requires deep introspection to understand the root causes behind it. While psychological exploration is important, there are also simple ways to make each day smoother, especially when dealing with stress, heavy workloads, or constant anxiety. One of these way for me was to drink tea, espcially the special recipes I’am about to share here.
Don’t underestimate what a simple cup of herbal tea can do on your mental well-being. It becomes even more effective if you create make it by yourself from scratch.

In this post, I’ll answer the question of what is the best tea to drink for anxiety, and I’ll guide you through making your own stress-reducing tea from fresh herbs and flowers. 
So, let’s begin

What is The Best Tea to Drink for Anxiety

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is known for its stress-reducing properties due to its unique composition of bioactive compounds. 

Here are some reasons why chamomile can help to reduce your anxiety:

Lavonoids and Apigenin

Chamomile contains flavonoids and apigenin, which are natural compounds with calming and sedative effects. These compounds bind to certain receptors in the brain, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.

Anti-Anxiety Effects

Chamomile can make you feel less uneasy and tense, which is awesome. Plus, it can help calm down your body’s stress response, like when your heart races or you breathe really fast.

GABA Activity:

Chamomile can boost the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your brain. GABA is like a chill pill for your nervous system – it helps calm things down and reduces anxiety, making you feel more relaxed and at ease.

So, when you have chamomile, it’s like giving your brain a little dose of relaxation!

Cortisol Regulation

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the body in response to stress. Chamomile has been shown to help regulate cortisol levels, keeping them in balance and preventing excessive stress responses.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects:

Chronic stress can lead to inflammation in the body, which can negatively impact overall health. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that may counteract the effects of stress-induced inflammation.

Digestive Relief

When stress hits, it can mess with your tummy too, causing indigestion and an upset stomach. But hey, chamomile is here to save the day!

It’s like a soothing balm for your digestive system, calming things down and easing all that uncomfortable tummy stuff caused by stress.

Aromatherapy Benefits

In addition to its internal consumption as tea, chamomile’s pleasant aroma in aromatherapy can have a calming effect, helping to relax the mind and body.

Here are a few simple and delightful chamomile tea recipes along with instructions on how to make them:

Chamomile Honey Lemon Tea:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
  • 2 cups of water
  • 1-2 teaspoons honey (adjust to taste)
  • 1-2 slices of fresh lemon

• Instructions:
  1. Bring the water to a boil in a pot or kettle.
  2. Add the dried chamomile flowers to a teapot or a heatproof container.
  3. Pour the boiling water over the chamomile flowers and steep for 5-7 minutes.
  4. Strain the tea into cups.
  5. Stir in honey to sweeten the tea, and add a slice of fresh lemon for a zesty twist.
  6. Mix well and enjoy the soothing combination of flavors.

Chamomile Lavender Tea:

• Ingredients:
  • 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers
  • 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds
  • 2 cups of water
• Instructions:
  1. Boil the water in a pot or kettle.
  2. Add the dried chamomile flowers and lavender buds to a teapot or heatproof container.
  3. Pour the boiling water over the herbs and let them steep for 5-7 minutes.
  4. Strain the tea into cups and savor the calming aroma and flavor of this delightful blend.

If you run out of some of mentioned ingredients, you can just drink pure chamomile tea, it does wonderful for your body as well. 
Chamomile tea can be enjoyed both hot and cold, depending on your preference and the weather.

While hot chamomile tea  is a classic and comforting choice, especially during colder months, cold chamomile tea is a refreshing and cooling option, ideal for hot summer days or when you’re looking for a chilled, calming drink.

A tip is that if you aremaking cold herbal tea, you may need to slightly increase the strength of the brew, as chilling can dilute the flavors.

Lavender Tea

So beside chamomile, What is the best tea to drink for anxiety?

If you love chamomile tea, I think there’s a high chance that you would also in fond of lavender flavors.

Lavender is packed with all the good things similar to chamomile, plus its famous ability to enhance your youth.

With antioxidant, consume lavender helps to protect the skin from free radical damage caused by UV rays and environmental pollutants and reducing the risk of skin conditions like premature aging and skin cancer.

It also helps to help reduce the risk of certain cancers by neutralizing free radicals and supporting a healthy immune system. Some benefits of lavender also include:

Linalool and Linalyl Acetate

Lavender contains natural compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate, which have calming effects on the nervous system. These compounds can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve mood.

Aromatherapy Benefits

The pleasant and soothing aroma of lavender itself can have a calming effect on the mind and body. The scent of lavender has been shown to reduce stress levels and promote a sense of well-being.

GABA Activity

Lavender may enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that has a calming effect, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.

Antioxidant Properties

Lavender is rich in antioxidants, which can help combat oxidative stress in the body. Reducing oxidative stress may have a positive impact on overall well-being and stress management.

The a study ” Lavender and the Nervous System” by Peir Hossein Koulivand, Maryam Khaleghi Ghadiri, which involves 28 elderly patients with various forms of dementia, aromatherapy was used with different essential oils.

In the morning, rosemary and lemon essential oils were employed, while lavender and orange oils were used in the evening.

The results showed a significant improvement in personal orientation and cognitive function among the participants.

Lavender Earl Grey Tea:

• Ingredients:
  • 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds
  • 1 teaspoon loose Earl Grey tea leaves or 1 Earl Grey tea bag
  • 2 cups of water
• Instructions:
  1. Bring the water to a boil in a pot or kettle.
  2. Add the dried lavender buds and Earl Grey tea leaves or tea bag to a teapot or heatproof container.
  3. Pour the boiling water over the lavender and tea leaves or tea bag.
  4. Let it steep for 3-4 minutes to blend the flavors.
  5. Strain the tea into cups and savor the delightful combination of lavender and Earl Grey.

Lavender Mint Tea:

• Ingredients:
  • 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds
  • 1 tablespoon dried peppermint leaves
  • 2 cups of water
• Instructions:
  1. Bring the water to a boil in a pot or kettle.
  2. Add the dried lavender buds and peppermint leaves to a teapot or heatproof container.
  3. Pour the boiling water over the lavender and mint.
  4. Let it steep for about 3-5 minutes to combine the flavors.
  5. Strain the tea into cups and enjoy the refreshing and soothing blend of lavender and mint.

Lavender Lemonade:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons dried lavender buds
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 4 cups water
  • 1/2 cup honey or sweetener of your choice
• Instructions:
  1. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
  2. Add the dried lavender buds and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
  3. Strain the lavender-infused water into a pitcher.
  4. Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey, and the remaining 2 cups of water to the pitcher.
  5. Stir well to mix the ingredients and chill the lavender lemonade in the refrigerator.
  6. Serve over ice and garnish with a fresh sprig of lavender or a lemon slice.

Can you DIY your tea from scratch?

If you ask me what is The Best Tea to Drink for Anxiety? I would probably answer: the one made by yourself.

The process of preparing tea from scratch involves several steps that can contribute to a sense of calm and relaxation. Here’s why making tea yourself can be so beneficial:

Mindfulness and Presence

Preparing tea requires you to be present and mindful of each step.

From selecting the tea leaves or herbs to measuring the right amount, boiling water, and steeping, the process demands your attention. 

Ritual and Routine

Creating a tea-making ritual or routine can add a comforting structure to your day. Engaging in a familiar process can bring a sense of stability and security, especially during times of uncertainty or stress. 

Aromatherapy Benefits

The aroma released during tea preparation, especially with herbs like lavender, chamomile, or mint, can have calming and soothing effects on the mind and body. 

Sensory Experience

Making tea engages multiple senses – the sight of the herbs or tea leaves, the aroma, the sound of boiling water, and the taste of the finished brew.

This sensory experience can be a delightful sensory escape from the demands of daily life, providing a moment of sensory pleasure and relaxation.

Creative Expression

Experimenting with different tea blends or adding personal touches to your tea-making process allows for creative expression. 

Control and Empowerment

In a world where many things may feel beyond our control, making tea offers a sense of control and empowerment.

You get to choose the ingredients, the brewing time, and the flavor profile that suits your preferences. This autonomy can be empowering and contribute to a feeling of self-efficacy.

A Time for Pause

The act of making tea requires you to slow down and take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It offers an opportunity to step away from work, chores, or other stressors, even if only for a few minutes, to refresh and recharge.

How to make your own tea from scratch

In some cultures, people love sipping on flower tea not just for its delightful taste, but also for its health and beauty benefits! Flower petals are packed with antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties, plus their essential oils can do wonders for your complexion and mood.

To get started, simply dry your flower petals and steep them. 

But wait! It’s important to choose the right flowers from the beginning. Not all flowers work well for tea, so consider starting with fantastic ones like chrysanthemum, hibiscus, and chamomile flowers. 

Once you’ve got the right ones, give them lots of TLC and make sure they’re fully mature before you harvest them for your delicious brew.

When the flowers bloom, pluck them gently from the bottom of the stem, so you keep the crown and petals intact. 

Snip off the stems (you can compost or dispose of them), leaving just the crown of petals and buds. 

Now comes the cleaning part: a gentle wipe with a bit of water and then let them dry on a bamboo net or cheese cloth under the sun. Don’t forget to rotate them every few hours since they’re a bit fragile.

Once your petals are fully dried, store them in a sealed container, keeping them fresh until tea time! 

For brewing, use slightly cooler water, around 195 degrees, and let it steep for three to four minutes.

And here’s a pro tip from Feng Ye,the founder of the New York-based tea house, Sage Collective: a glass teapot is perfect for brewing, so you can see the beautiful colors while savoring your homemade floral tea. 

This is a fantastic video that demonstrates the step-by-step process of making chamomile tea by yourself:

Enjoy this delightful and relaxing experience! 

Cheers to your own special tea time!

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I hope my post of “What is The Best Tea to Drink for Anxiety?” has inspired you to start with your tea time ritual.

Remember what works best for one person may differ for another. It’s essential to listen to your body and choose the teas that resonate with you the most. Incorporating these soothing teas into your daily routine can be a wonderful self-care practice, providing a comforting and nourishing experience during challenging times.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to brew yourself a warm cup of your chosen anxiety-relieving tea. I would love to hear about your favourite tea recipes in the comment.

Til the next time, take care!