What makes tea relaxing

Most teas made from the camellia sinensis plant contain some amount of L-theanine, a unique amino acid that promotes relaxation and stress relief. In particular, matcha has even higher levels of L-theanine than other teas, the result of the shaded growth period the tea undergoes before harvest.

The combination of caffeine and L-theanine is known for producing a calm, meditative state and what matcha enthusiasts often refer to as a body high. Here at ArtfulTea we carry a range of matcha products, from our highest grade ceremonial matcha , to culinary grade matcha for use in lattes, smoothies, and baked goods, and even matcha that you can take with you on the go!

Green tea can help soothe anxiety thanks to the presence of l-theanine, which can increase feelings of calm and relaxation. Chamomile tea is a good way to help soothe symptoms of anxiety. Chamomile has been shown to have a positive effect on feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem.

Green teas contain an average of 6. However, the l-theanine content present in green tea can vary significantly between different teas, with shade grown green teas containing substantially more l-theanine.

Contact Us Use the form on the right to contact us. Home Teas by Category classic black flavored black classic green flavored green oolong white purple leaf pu-erh rooibos herbal matcha mate. Info Email. Tea Wisdom. Our Stress Relief Collection. Shop Now. Mint Teas Mint teas are full of relaxing effects , helping to soothe the body and calm the mind.

Chamomile Teas Chamomile is well-known for its relaxing properties , and makes a soothing, aromatic cup of tea perfect for any time of day. Lavender Teas Lavender is another herb that has been shown to relieve stress and promote relaxation, making it a soothing addition to many of our teas and herbal infusions.

The tea drinkers also said they felt more relaxed than did those who drank the placebo. Researchers are also starting to look at which compounds give tea its beneficial properties. Tests of the key constituents — l -theanine and EGCG — suggest that they contribute alone and in combination with caffeine. In , Scholey and his colleagues reported that volunteers who consumed a nutrient drink containing milligrams of l -theanine — around the amount found in eight cups of tea — had lower cortisol levels and reported feeling more relaxed after performing stress-inducing tasks than did those who consumed a placebo 4.

The researchers also used magnetoencephalography MEG to assess changes in brain activity associated with the drink. People who were naturally more anxious showed an increase in lower-frequency brainwaves, known as alpha oscillatory activity. Alpha brainwaves are associated with relaxation and a lack of active cognitive processing. In a previous study, Scholey found that l -theanine improved memory and reaction time when consumed with caffeine — and that the effect was greater than that of caffeine or l -theanine alone 5.

He suspects that this meditative state is achieved, in part, by l -theanine relaxing only the areas of the brain not needed to perform tasks, as shown by the MEG analysis. The compound passes through the blood—brain barrier, so it could directly benefit brain plasticity — the process through which the brain regenerates itself.

In a detailed study, Scholey used electroencephalography to compare the brain activity of people consuming either an EGCG-containing nutrient drink or a placebo. The EGCG drinkers experienced an increase in brain activity across all bandwidths: alpha waves; theta waves, which are associated with quiet wakefulness; and beta waves, which increase with focus and attention.

The study suggests that the EGCG drink nurtured a relaxed and attentive state of mind 6. Animal and in vitro studies 7 have shown that EGCG can pass through the blood—brain barrier to act directly on the brain, and that it might improve the health of blood vessels and boost the supply of nitric oxide that together could benefit cognitive function.

More from Nature Outlooks. Although research on the mental-health benefits of tea is ramping up, much is still unknown. Caffeine is known to benefit mood and cognition, and its biochemistry is widely understood — it stops the sleep-controlling chemical adenosine from binding to its receptors, helping to maintain neural activity and making caffeine-drinkers feel more awake. But little is known about how caffeine interacts with EGCG.

Similarly, it is not clear whether caffeine boosts the cognitive effects of l -theanine or vice versa. For instance, why has the brain not evolved to perform optimally without the need to consume chemical brews? For now, there is no reason not to encourage healthy people to drink tea as a means of improving their mood and focus, says Borgwardt.

Tea drinking could provide a leisurely addition, or even an alternative, to the mood-boosting effects of exercise, he says. This article is part of Nature Outlook: Tea , an editorially independent supplement produced with the financial support of third parties. About this content. Kim, J. Nutrients 10 , Article Google Scholar. Feng, L. Health Aging 14 , — PubMed Article Google Scholar. Steptoe, A. Psychopharmacology , 81—89 Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments.

Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education.

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products, and articles are reviewed by healthcare professionals for medical accuracy. You can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. If relaxation is your primary motivation for a mug of tea, start by choosing a caffeine-free, herbal tea. Some herbs—such as chamomile, lavender, peppermint, oat flower, and lemon balm—are celebrated for their powers of relaxation and calm.

If you're looking for an extra dose of calm, some companies blend adaptogens into their teas. Common adaptogens for relaxation include tulsi and ashwagandha. While enjoying a cup of tea is an excellent way to unwind, and the actual blend may have calming powers, note that your tea should also taste good enough to be enjoyed on its own as too much-added sweetener can actually inhibit relaxation.

Here, the best teas for relaxing. Looking for the perfect cup of tea to wind down with after a long day? This tea features a blend of soothing ingredients, including oat flower, chamomile, lavender, valerian, tulsi, and licorice root. The most abundant ingredient in this tea is oat flower. Every Pukka plastic-free tea bag comes in its own recyclable envelope to retain the essential oils in their organic herbs.

Each bag has two chambers, allowing the herbs to flow and release their full potency in your cup. In addition to being organic, this tea is caffeine-free, vegan, kosher, and vegetarian. As a bonus for the eco-conscious shoppers out there, we love that Pukka teabags are recyclable and can be placed in your food recycling bins or home compost.

High-quality tea at an affordable price can be difficult to find. Luckily, Stash Tea Company offers a box of organic chamomile tea bags for an affordable price.

One of the most well-known herbs for relaxation, chamomile has been used in traditional medicine to treat insomnia and invoke a sedating effect. Chamomile is one of the most popular herbal teas out there, but picking one product from hundreds of options can be overwhelming. Each tea bag combines Egyptian chamomile blossoms with Australian lemon myrtle leaves for a sweet organic brew that imparts lingering calm. This tea is organic and uses fair-trade certified ingredients.

In addition to their high-quality ingredients, Numi has a deep focus on sustainability and giving back to the communities that grow and harvest their ingredients.

Shoppers can feel good that their purchase of Numi Teas supports the global community. A bonus: chamomile tea cannot only help promote relaxation but might help with certain gastrointestinal problems such as gas, bloating, or general irritation. This tea combines lavender, chamomile, and lemon balm with organic honey flavor and a touch of stevia for a floral and lightly citrusy sweet blend.

The company is committed to identity confirmation of ingredients. This process allows them to confirm the identity of each ingredient they source using DNA analysis, sensory evaluations, and chromatography techniques.

In addition to including well-known soothing herbs such as chamomile and lavender, each tea bag features lemon balm , an herb that is less well-known but is very relaxing. Each tea bag is compostable, and the product itself is Rainforest Alliance Certified. Used for centuries in traditional medicine, lemon balm has been used as a modulator of mood and cognitive function.

Peppermint tea is a classic relaxing choice, known for playing double duty as a soothing and invigorating beverage. This makes it an excellent choice for a post-dinner relaxing drink or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up without a caffeine crash. Peppermint is well known for its ability to reduce symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome.

In addition, peppermint might help relieve tension headaches. This tea is certified kosher. What is better than winding down on the couch with a soothing, warm cup of tea? Formulated by a renowned herbalist, this brand aims to provide safe, healing products. The most abundant ingredient in this tea is Valerian Root, famous for its sleep-promoting and supporting qualities.

Unlike many of the other sleep-time teas on the market, each bag contains milligrams of Valerian, which is the average dose that has been studied in research. In addition to Valerian Root, this tea contains a blend of other soothing herbs such as lemon balm, passionflower , and peppermint. Some studies have been done to examine the use of Tulsi for a variety of ailments, and a small number of studies have shown Tulsi to be supportive in combating stress.

In addition to Tulsi, each tea bag of Organic India's Organic Tulsi Sleep Tea includes chamomile, peppermint, cardamom, and ashwagandha. Several studies suggest ashwagandha is a safe and effective remedy for stress relief and anxiety. This tea is also gluten-free, organic, non-GMO verified, and Kosher. This means that the company meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and accountability to balance profit and purpose.

Featuring a soothing blend of herbal ingredients, including oat flower, chamomile, lavender, valerian, tulsi, and licorice root, a cup of this tea is guaranteed to help you wind down after a long day. A soothing cup of tea should be gentle on your body and the earth. One research article showed that some tea bags can release microplastics into your cup of tea because of packaging.

Look for products that use compostable teabags and recycled materials.