Yahoo News The 10 Best Teas for Sleep (Because Let’s Face it, We Need It)
If sleep doesn’t come easy, you’re not alone. In fact, the CDC reported that 70 million Americans struggle with chronic sleep problems. And while there are lots of ways to up your sleep-care (it’s the new self-care, people)—from melatonin to magnesium—studies show that something as simple as herbal tea can help improve quality of sleep. Why? Certain herbs interact with specific nerves to alter the impulse from one nerve to another. In other words, certain herbs in sleep teas can alter the brain’s chemical synapses, or communication signals, to help improve sleep quality and quantity. So which are the best teas for sleep? Here, our ten favorite teas—from chamomile to CBD—that will help you zzz-leep the whole night through.
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1. Harney & Sons Hemp Moringa - Deep Sleep Wellness Blend
This bold blend of basil, turmeric, goji berries and coconut bits make for a beautiful cup of rich, orange tea full of bold flavors. Thanks to the addition of hemp—an extract from the seeds of cannabis plants, that, as Harvard Health Publishing notes, can combat anxiety, insomnia, addiction and chronic pain—it’s designed to leave you feeling mellow. (Note: Because of the addition of hemp, there is a strong scent when brewing that subsides when drinking.)
2. Good Pharma - Rest Assured™* – Herb & Jujube Seed Infusion
Following traditional Chinese medicinal practices, WelleCo’s Rest Assured blend uses science-backed ingredients to help with sleep. Its key ingredient, jujube seed extract, has been shown to treat insomnia, anxiety and improve sleep time. Studies published in Nutrients and the Nutrition Journal found that passionflower and lemon balm minimize anxiety-related conditions and improve overall mood by modifying the receptor binding neurocognitive process. More key ingredients include ashwagandha (another stress-reducing root) and holy basil.
3. WelleCo - Sleep Welle Calming Tea
This Australian-born brand uses a blend of potent herbs and valerian root (a PureWow favorite ingredient), which is claimed to help eliminate restlessness before bedtime. For anyone who suffers from an overactive mind, this one’s your best bet. The best part? This delicious lemon, passionflower and mango drink can be enjoyed in the daytime, too. With insomnia-reducing and mood-boosting herb, lemon balm, as the leading ingredient—and less of the natural sedative valerian root added—this tea focuses on calming the mind without making you feel drowsy.
4. Harney & Sons - Golden Milk - 1000 MG CBD
Calling all CBD lovers! This tea mixes their normal Golden Milk tea with 1000 MG of CBD isolate. A recent and published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine Reviews found that CBD may improve sleep and alleviate anxiety markers due to interactions with receptors in the nervous system. This Hemp Division set is full of bold herbs like turmeric and ginger, both known for reducing stress and for their anti-inflammatory properties among other benefits. Try recreating their Golden Milk Latte found on the Harney & Sons website to enjoy the many bold flavors of the healing blend. Best for lovers of a flavor-forward palette, this blend is rich in bright and deep, earthy tastes.
5. Sleep In Sunday from Hello Goldie
Hello Goldie’s Sleep In Sunday botanical tea contains spearmint and peppermint, which makes for a minty cup of tea before bedtime. One consumer said that the tea was one of the only things that helped her sleep throughout the night after a long day of Zooming. Sleep In Sunday not only claims to improve sleep using key ingredient rooibos—an alternative to black and green tea and natural hypnotic—but it should also relieve bloating, improve digestion and decrease stress with that extra dash of 20mg of CBD.
6. MUD\WTR :rest
Combining the best of the best for the highest level of relaxation, ;rest is made with rooibos chai, turmeric and cinnamon to give you their finest cup of tea for sleep known as, “A warm hug from Mom while Morgan Freeman narrates the embrace.” It has a variety of functional adaptogens and herbs like ashwagandha, valerian root and passionflower to encourage relaxation and calm. Plus, MUD\WTR is known for adding mushrooms like reishi and turkey tail, which may improve immunity and decrease depression, according to a study published in the Journal of Pharmacological Sciences.
7. Apothékary Do Not Disturb
If you struggle with chronic stress (and love a good chai latte) this blend is for you. Rich in cinnamon and lucuma—a natural sweetener full of antioxidants. There’s also holy basil, which acts as a reset button for your nervous system while mucuna’s (a type of bean) naturally occurring L-dopa (aka the precursor to dopamine) calms you down. It’s a non-habit forming sedative that, according to one drinker, “Isn't going to knock you out or anything, but it is definitely calming and tastes great.”
8. Sakara Sleep Tea
This organic tea is for all chamomile and lavender lovers out there. Made with a combination of valerian root, passionflower and catnip (yep, the same stuff your cat loves because apparently, according to a study conducted by the Canadian Veterinary Journal, it helps with restlessness). The natural herbal sedative valerian root is included to help restore your sleep and keep you from waking during the night. And the passionflower is said to increase GABA, or gamma aminobutyric acid, in the brain to encourage calm.
9. Harney & Sons Organic Rooibos Chai
Another favorite for our die-hard chai fans. With rooibos as the star of this sleep tea, it also contains a mixture of powerful healing spices like coriander, fennel, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg. Further research shows that there’s potential to help with brain health, boost immunity, promote gut health and may even help combat pesky infections. Not only can this tea aid in sleep production, but it may become your new go-to tea to reach for during that time-of-the-month. A study published by the Iran Red Crescent Med Journal found that participants who consumed cinnamon everyday saw a reduction in menstrual pain, nausea, bleeding and vomiting. So, take a long sip on this beautifully deep, red tea and enjoy the earthy taste of this healing Rooibos Chai.
10. SAMA Calm & Relax Lavender Rose Chamomile
On a mission to become “Sama,” or fully balanced in Sanskirt, Sama uses traditional Hindu healing practices to create a unique cup of tea to end the night sipping. The Lavender Rose Chamomile tea is full of aromatic floral notes that soothe and relax your body without being overpowering. It also has cardamom and tulsi, known to reduce stress-related diseases. In addition to the relaxing benefits, Calm & Relax claims to soothe muscle spasms, alleviate menstrual pains and support lung and digestive health.
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