10 Calming teas that will put you right to sleep

Insomniac Solutions: 10 Calming teas that will put you right to sleep

Lim Han

28 Apr 2017

1/10
Chamomile tea
Why bother with sedatives when you have chamomile tea? Containing the flavonoid apigenin, chamomile has tranquilising effects that will send you straight into Dream Land. Not to mention, it has an incredibly aromatic scent that is bound to soothe and calm your nerves.
2/10
Lavender tea
Lavender cupcakes and flower vases? Sure, they’re unbelievably alluring, but have you tried lavender tea? Its calming properties help to ease your nerves and diminish anxiety, settling you into bed and making you slip into deep sleep more easily. Plus, its fragrant smell is said to promote relaxation and serenity.
3/10
Valerian root tea
Hailed as an effectual herbal remedy for insomnia, valerian root tea will put you right to sleep. It causes the burgeoning of your brain’s GABA levels, a neurotransmitter which can have sedative effects in large quantities. Not only that, studies have shown that drinking valerian root tea entails no side effects, unlike most teas.
4/10
Lemon balm tea
A beloved member of the mint family, lemon balm is a herbal supplement which has powerful health benefits. One such benefit is the calming of the mind and reduction of stress, which thereby encourages a night of restful sleep. Having trouble sleeping? Sip on a cup of lemon balm tea.
5/10
St. John’s Wort tea
Commonly used as an anti-depressant, St John’s Wort is also an effective remedy for insomnia. This perennial flowering plant is said to stimulate the GABA receptor, the receptor responsible for releasing sleep chemicals in the brain. Not only that, it’s also said to be an impeccable calming agent, especially for insomniacs.
6/10
Peppermint tea
Constantly attacked by nighttime heartburn and indigestion? Peppermint tea might just do the trick to ease your stomach problems and grant you a good night’s rest. Relaxing your muscles, peppermint will allow a smoother passage for digestive gases and bile flow, thus, easing your heartburn and bloating. Say "hello" to restful sleep! Just try not to snore too loudly.
7/10
Chrysanthemum tea
A relative of the chamomile flower, the chrysanthemum is heralded as the “chamomile of the East”. And, you can bet it possesses the same sedative effect by increasing serenity and relaxation of the body. As it’s considered as a ‘neutral’ herb in the realm of traditional Chinese medicine, overdosing on its tea should be the least of your worries.
8/10
Ginger turmeric tea
As distasteful as this tea sounds, what’s a little sacrifice of your tastebuds for a restful power sleep? Ginger helps to remove toxins in the body which may be contributing to your restlessness while turmeric supports the liver in its detoxification process. Put them together and you’ve got a smashing duo which work together to create one of the best remedies for your sleepless nights.
9/10
Passionflower tea
The sweet-sounding name of this dainty flower is enough to put you to sleep. But, of course, there’s more to its sleep-aiding properties than just its name – certain compounds in the flower were found to interact with brain receptors and invoke relaxation. Encouraging the production of sleep chemicals, this flower will contribute to the overall mental state of calmness and knock you out in no time.
10/10
Magnolia bark
A common herb found on the shelves of Asian medicinal shops, magnolia bark is no stranger to the world of insomniacs. Its main active compound, magnolol, was found to work effectively as a mild sedative and calm anxiety.

We hope this doesn’t bore you to sleep – although, it may be good if it does.

Have you been waking up with eyes as heavy as dumbbells and looking in the mirror to see dark eye circles glaring back at you? We know, it’s not your fault – you’ve been abstaining from caffeine, cutting down on pre-bedtime screen-staring durations and going to bed on time… but nothing seems to be doing the trick for the countless nights of tossing and turning, endless sheep-counting and staring at the ceiling.

Well, before you turn to sleeping pills for help, we’re going to let you in on a powerful insomnia remedy: tea. Now, before we get eggs pelted at us and protests hurled our way due to the renowned fact that tea contains caffeine, let us stop you there and assure you that the teas we’re bringing to the table are totally caffeine-free.

These teas have astounding calming properties that will have you tucking you into bed feeling as relaxed as a peace-loving yoga instructor. You’ll be falling asleep in no time.

Lim Han

Photos: Getty Images

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