To combat stress and worries, there is a small ritual in which, together with the infusion, which enters and flows hot into our body, we can channel and let go of negative and harsh thoughts. The moment of herbal tea, with plants suitable for the purpose, gives us a break and a rest from everything, to find a space of calm and recharge ourselves.
What are relaxing herbal teas for?
It only takes 5 minutes to prepare one of the many relaxing herbal teas on the market, and another handful of minutes to enjoy it.
The herbal tea should be a daily space for relaxation, which is part of self-care.
A rite in which, together with the infusion with specific properties, which enters and descends hot in our body, negative and harsh thoughts go away, we allow ourselves a respite and a rest from everything, to enter ourselves a little.
This is why tea time can be so important.
How to prepare a relaxing herbal tea
Basically, herbal teas can be presented in two versions : ready-made packaged in sachets, or loose, dried: flowers, fruits, roots, already mixed or to be prepared.
On the market there are preparations of different brands and components for calming herbal teas, which have at the base a selected herb with an active ingredient that promotes and accompanies relaxation, and, in a lower percentage, plants, flowers, fruits or essential oils capable of enhancing taste and properties. With a little experience, we can also ask a trusted herbalist to prepare excellent relaxing herbal teas, according to personal tastes.
- In sachets : just leave them to infuse for the indicated time in boiling water, in a possibly covered cup, in order to preserve the eviscerated essential oils.
- Bulk : proceed by leaving the mixture of herbs to infuse for a few minutes, then filter everything into the cup with the help of the appropriate strainer. To be consumed before sleeping to fully enjoy all the benefits, in case of insomnia we will choose herbal teas to sleep, more specific to promote sleep.
Benefits of relaxing herbal teas
Relaxing herbal teas can be taken at any time of the day, even as a replacement for breakfast drinks if we are particularly nervous or are going through a period of stress.
The properties of these blends act on various levels and generally calm inflammation, spasms, contractures, digestive problems and relax the central nervous system.
The benefits therefore reverberate on the state of well-being of the organism until they accompany us to the moment of evening relaxation.
What are the best herbal teas for sleep and stress relief?
Relaxing herbal teas can be formulated with different herbs as a base, to which other synergistic “drugs” can be linked which thus enrich the preparation and make them drinks to calm stress and help sleep.
The mixtures are recommended by the herbalist who, based on particular needs, but also on any ailments or medicines taken , will be able to formulate a correct recipe. Let’s see some herbs indicated as calming, sedative, soothing in their singularity.
Mauve
Mallow is a precious remedy since its properties are functional for many ailments. Leaves and flowers are used in the herbal field and contribute to the relaxation of body and mind.
Mallow has antioxidant and moisturizing properties, contains mucilage, anthocyanins, calcium, vitamins and pectin.
It is indicated for inflammation of the gastric tract, colitis, cough, mallow is a sweetener in the broadest sense. An infusion of mallow can help us eliminate some acidity, even in a symbolic sense.
Passion flower
Passiflora has antispasmodic and calming properties, at the time of the First World War, passion flower was used in the treatment of “war anxieties”.
The aerial parts and leaves used are rich in flavonoids such as hyperoside, vitexin, isovitexin, substances to which we owe the sedative properties of this plant.
The antispasmodic properties of Passiflora reverberate on contracted muscles, as in the case of gastrointestinal spasms. Herbal teas based on passion flower, mallow and linden can be a pleasant relaxing infusion for children.
Chamomile
Roman Chamomile has digestive properties, Matricaria Chamomile has antispasmodic, anti-neuralgic, sedative properties and is useful against inflammation.
The dried flower heads of Chamomile are rich in essential oils, flavonoids such as quercetin, and mucilage. It has an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory action on smooth muscles. It exerts a mild sedative and anxiolytic action thanks to apigenin able to bind to the same receptive site of the benzodiazepines.
Linden
Linden is effective on sleep disturbances : calming and sedative it performs these activities on a broad spectrum and not only on insomnia problems.
Thanks to the presence of mucilage, essential oils, and tannins, lime calms agitation, but also coughs and respiratory tract disorders in general. It is an elective plant to counteract stress and its psychosomatic manifestations.
Valerian
Valerian is an effective natural remedy for the proper functioning of the central nervous system, with broad spectrum sedative properties.
It helps calm forms of nervous asthma, restlessness, anxiety, psychosomatic forms such as gastritis, migraine, prolonged insomnia. There are no indications of its effects in pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it is not recommended to take it in these cases.
Melissa
Melissa herbal tea is an antispasmodic and sedative remedy. Relaxes the stomach and its walls, counteracts anxiety, panic attacks, psychosomatic manifestations of a visceral nature such as gastritis, irritable colon, tachycardia, migraine, a natural sedative
However, beware of those suffering from thyroid dysfunction : it may not be their elective calming remedy.
Lavender
Lavender, its flowers in particular, possess modestly sedative and antispasmodic properties effective on the smooth muscles of the digestive and bronchial systems.
Its essential oil is effective for headaches, insomnia, and depressive-like symptoms.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn leaves and flowers are rich in flavonoids, such as rutin, quercetin, hyperoside. Hawthorn is indicated for cardiovascular problems, with hypotensive, sedative, anti-anxiety action.
It is useful for those who experience agitation with palpitations and tachycardia, panic attacks and excess sweating from stress.
Verbena
Verbena officinale has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitussive action. It is useful for counteracting psychosomatic forms of agitation, stress and tension which can lead to forms of nervous cough, asthma, cramps, digestive problems.
In homeopathic medicine, the remedy is indicated in case of convulsions and severe stress.
Escholzia
Escolzia, otherwise known as Californian poppy, acts on the nervous system thanks to the alkaloid component, which promotes sleep, helps to relax without stunning. It has a spasmolytic action and is a muscle relaxant, useful in case of muscle tension due to stress.
Curiosity: have you ever found yourself smelling basil before using it in the kitchen? Know that it is an excellent natural relaxant, the basis for the preparation of many herbal teas.