5 Herbal Teas That Help Ease Anxiety

Tea has always been a source of comfort to me. I have always known that they carry an array of health benefits. It was only through my research into holistic sleeping aids that I discovered that my favorite choices were not only relaxing because of the light taste and the act of sipping on a warm cup after a long day. No, there has actually been a wide array of clinical studies on their effectiveness in treating anxiety that have returned astounding results. Some even outperforming the effects of Xanax.

Finding this out made me beyond excited. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a fan of western medicine. The many horror stories I have heard from people who have been put on mood altering drugs were not helping either. These teas, along with many other daily practices, have helped me gain control over anxiety. You probably already have most of these in your pantry, and the ones you do not are very easy to find. I use a tea strainer to make Moringa and Ashwagandha tea. You can have it without straining it though.


These teas can also be taken in supplement form if that is your thing but I find that the act of drinking the tea has its own therapeutic benefits.

Green Tea

Green tea is the most drank beverage in the world right after water. It is my all time favorite tea. In my quest to gain weight I stopped drinking it because I noticed that it was the one variable that stopped me from gaining weight. Recently, however, I was going through some things and I gave in to seek some comfort. It turns out there is a reason I find it so comforting. Green tea is one of the best sources of L-theanine in the world, an amino acid that has shown to carry relaxing effects. I actually used to take L-theanine as a supplement when I was younger to help me with my anxiety. Little did I know that this amino acid was abundant in my favorite drink, that I was doing my best to avoid.

Green tea relaxes you without making you drowsy, making it the perfect drink to have right before you go somewhere you might be a little nervous to be. It also improves your cognition so this is probably the best thing you can drink before a test or an interview. L-theanine works because of its ability to cross the blood brain barrier where it then blocks neurons from releasing cortisone (the stress hormone). There have been a number of studies proving this. This is one of the rare natural treatments that most doctors agree on.

Chamomile Tea

This is almost a given. Often times called "sleepy time" tea, chamomile tea's calming effects are world renowned. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have found that long-term use of chamomile was clearly effective for helping to control anxiety and mild bouts of depression in people diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder when compared to placebo. The theory is that the phytochemicals released by this tea effect the nervous system by blocking the production of stress hormones.

Chamomile tea is best taken as either a sleeping aid or when you can afford to just mellow out as it is a potent sleeping pill. This is caused by the high levels of the chrysine flavanoid that chamomile is rich in. Chrysine induces sleepiness and alleviates stress.

Rooibos Tea

Every single South African household has rooibos tea in their arsenal. Did you know that our very own homegrown tea is world renowned for it's anti-anxiety properties? The high levels of magnesium in rooibos balances the nervous system by maintaining and normalizing our cortisol levels. It also promotes the release of hormones that make us feel good like serotonin (the happy chemical).

This was actually one of the catalysts for my research into food's effect on our sleep because I noticed that my sleep drastically improved when I had a cup before I went to bed. Stellenbosch University have backed up these claims attributing its success to two other compounds as well, namely aspalathin, which is unique to rooibos, and nothofagin.

Moringa Tea

Another home grown miracle, Moringa has been hailed as one of the most nutrient dense plants in the world. So does it come as a surprise that it treats anxiety too? Studies have found that moringa significantly increases serotonin in the brains of rats. Levels increased by an average of 60% on the cerebral cortex. Tryptophan, an amino acid which moringa is rich in, benefits our neurotransmitters and promotes the production of serotonin. Its abundance of antioxidants, magnesium and B complex vitamins also adds to its abilities to stabilize our moods.

Ingredients
1 tsp moringa powder
sweetener to taste
1 cup of water
2 Tbsp of coconut milk 

Ashwagandha Tea 

Ashwagandha is an ayurevedic herb that has been used since ancient times to treat anxiety and combat aging. It is an adaptogen, which means that it help balance, restore and protect the body. A 2009 study has shown that ashwagandha is 50% more effective in treating anxiety than psychotherapy. Another study has shown that, when treated with ashwagandha over a 2 month period, 64 volunteers showed an average of 28% lower levels of cortisol. This same group showed improvements in depression, insomnia, social dysfunction and productivity. Ashwagandha is one of the most largely backed natural treatment of anxiety. It is a testimony to the fact that mother Earth has given us everything we need to thrive.

Ingredients
1 tsp ashwagandha powder
sweetener to taste
1 cup of water

Herbalists typically recommend people give herbs three months to a year to work and reach their full potential. So do not give up hope if you do not see immediate permanent improvement. It is better to take the slow and steady route.