Picture it, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and you wake up in the morning feeling rested and refreshed. Ahhh, what a feeling. A feeling that many sadly can’t relate to. That’s why today we bring to you a list of sure fire sleepy time teas to help you get the rest you deserve.
So many people suffer from poor sleep. As a society, we are tired! We often don’t allow proper time for winding down or actual sleep.
And for a lot of us, once we do lay down it takes forever for sleep to actually arrive.
These 7 herbs taken in tea form can help you achieve the sleep of your dreams, so to speak. Lol. Just give them the chance to work their magic and you’ll see 🙂
Tea Time!
Herbal tinctures, teas, and remedies have long been used to help support what ails us. There are countless herbs out there that can benefit us in so many ways, whether it be to ease anxiety, clear up your skin, put you in a better mood, or achieve a better sleep quality.
Teas are a safe, wonderful, and tasty (usually lol) way to utilize what mother nature has so generously given us.
Everyone needs a little help sometimes, or a lot of the time, preparing their body and minds for rest and these sleepy time teas are here to help!
Tuesday Tea Series
That being said this is the 4th, and final, instalment of our special Tuesday Tea Series here on the blog. In the previous weeks we covered teas for anxiety, mood boosting, and clear skin. You can check them out HERE if you’d like.
Alright, here we go seven of the best sleepy time teas to help you wind down and rest well.
CHAMOMILE
The always amazing Chamomile definitely had to be on the list. It is very well known for the relaxing and calming effects it has on the body. A relaxed body automatically equals better sleep.
There are also properties in Chamomile that bind to our GABA receptors in the brain which helps to bring on sleep.
While scientific studies on the topic are few there has been benefits shown such as the ones HERE.
PEPPERMINT
Peppermint is a natural muscle relaxant and can help ease digestion. Both of which are useful for achieving a better sleep. If our body is in distress we will not sleep soundly.
Peppermint is also naturally caffeine free and sometimes used to ease insomnia. Plus the scent and flavour give us cozy, warm fuzzy vibes. Or is that just me?
LEMON BALM
Lemon Balm is another one that has been used to treat insomnia.
We tend to think of anything lemon as being energizing and uplifting, which it definitely can be. But this little tea has layers!
It is said to increase our GABA levels (chemical messenger in the brain). Higher GABA levels means better sleep. Studies, such as this one, have shown it to be beneficial in treating symptoms of insomnia.
Lemon Balm has also been shown to help reduce tension and muscle tightness in the body. Not to mention the lovely aroma and flavour it carries!
LAVENDER
Lavender is a well known sleep aid, from using it in aromatherapy to drinking it in tea form. The aroma alone seems to be the most responsible for the calming and sleepy benefits.
There has been much research done on the benefits of Lavender. From soothing nerves and reducing tension in the body, to inducing sleep, lowering blood pressure and pain relief. You can find some more information in this study HERE.
Lavender’s calming effect on the body gets top props for aiding in better overall sleep quality. Remember to breath in the lovely aroma while you sip your tea for ultimate benefits.
VALERIAN
Valerian is a wonderful sleepy time tea.
It is another on the list said to increase our GABA levels leading to better sleep quality.
It has been shown to be effective against insomnia as well as encouraging to an uninterrupted night’s sleep.
PASSIONFLOWER
Passionflower is yet another tea on our list that has been shown to increase our GABA levels. As we mentioned above, increased GABA levels lead to better sleep.
It has also been shown to have positive effects on anxiety sufferers. The relaxation and calming effects that this tea bestows help to prepare the body for a good nights rest.
KAVA KAVA
Kava is another tea that is commonly used to help with sleep issues.
It is known to reduce stress, ease anxiety and help with insomnia.
Fun fact, it is also the national drink of Fiji. Who knew?
A Note on Timing
The best time to indulge in sleepy time teas is around 30-60 minutes before your bedtime.
Use this time to wind your body and mind down by doing something relaxing while you sip your way to la la land.
And remember, it’s never a bad idea to steep before you sleep!
The ‘T’ on Tea
Herbs are generally a safe and amazing natural resource. Especially in tea form. Teas are less concentrated than supplements, tinctures, or oils. However, interactions and unpleasant side effects are still possible.
It is always recommended to discuss with your health care practitioner before adding any type of herbal remedy into your self care routine.
This is especially true if you are on medications, pregnant, or have a diagnosed illness.
Remember we are all individuals and what works for one person may not necessarily work for you. So you may need to try out more than one before you find the one that is just right. Like Goldilocks.
Also, each tea here could most certainly have an entire post of it’s own and I would still not cover everything about it. I am simply highlighting a few of the key components in each that help with our topic of discussion for the week.
Sourcing Your Tea
While it’s easy enough to just go to the grocery store and grab the cheapest tea you can find, its worthwhile to invest a little.
By invest I don’t just mean in dollars, but also information. Know where your tea is coming from and try to buy fair-trade, ethically sourced brands.
Tea companies don’t always use best practices and it shouldn’t be assumed that they do. So do your research. And bonus, Fairtrade teas offer higher quality ingredients and are usually organic.
Some brands that I love include:
- Traditional Medicinals
- Pukka
- Yogi
- Stash
- Four O’clock
These are just a few but there are many more! I am in Canada so depending on your country the brands in your area may differ from these ones. Have fun and shop around. Boxes are also labeled Fairtrade so they are easy to spot.
Okay, without further ado, I declare it tea time!
Penny for your thoughts…
Do you use tea to help you fall asleep already? If so, do you have a favourite?
As always, I love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment or connect with me on socials 🙂
If you enjoyed the post, remember you can SUBSCRIBE to keep up on The Wholesome Witch happenings and receive your FREE Wholesome Kitchen Clean-up Guide 🙂
Until next time friends!
Yours in health and magick,
Krystle xo
Disclaimer: This post is not meant to be medical advice, I am not a doctor. Teas are NOT meant to replace medications or cure disease. As I mentioned above, always consult your doctor prior to starting any new herbal routines.
