The Best Tea for Sleep

Lack of sleep can leave you with no energy, irritated, lethargic, and moody.

Whether you struggle with falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night, or not getting enough sleep, know that there are natural teas for sleep that may be effective for you.

Drinking herbal teas can be a helpful way to encourage sleep quality and quantity. In this article, we’ll discuss how herbal tea encourage sleep, the typical causes of sleep issues, and the best tea for sleep.   

Overview:

Poor sleep can stem from insufficient sleep or lack of quality deep sleep. Insomnia may appear as issues with falling or staying asleep. 

Experts in the US note that 33% of the population struggles with insomnia which may affect quality of life, academic performance, productivity, and mental and physical health.  

One of the biggest causes of poor sleep and insomnia is stress. Other factors that may influence sleep include: 

• Sleep Environment
• Caffeine Intake
• Mental Health Conditions
• Physical Pain

Lifestyle changes are one of the best ways to improve sleep quality. 

Herbal teas may have the ability to encourage sleep, ease tension, and soothe stress in the body, which may promote better quality sleep.

Click here to read through our list of the best herbs for sleep and the best places to buy them.

Best Tea for Sleep:

Below is a list of the best herbs to use in tea for sleep issues. These natural sleep teas have been used for hundreds of years to induce sleep and improve sleep quality.

1. Valerian (Valerian officinalis L.)

Valerian is one of the most well-known herbs for sleep and insomnia. Valerian root is thought to work as a sedative and an anxiolytic (i.e., it relaxes the brain).

In a clinical review of various valerian extracts, researchers found that valerian root effectively improved sleep. The study discovered that valerian root improved sleep quality and helped subjects fall asleep faster. 

A clinical study found that valerian root extract improved sleep quality and decreased the time it took for subjects to fall asleep. It should be noted that participants did report feelings of grogginess the following morning. 

Another clinical study discovered that valerian root effectively helped people fall asleep faster and have more restful sleep.

The American Botanical Council recommends combining valerian with other herbs like hops, passionflower, and lemon balm to make a “sleep tea.” 

Valerian root tea has a pungent, musky scent with an earthy flavor, so it is often blended with other herbs that support sleep.

2. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Aromatic chamomile is a globally popular herb in the Asteraceae or daisy family. Chamomile tea is usually used to calm the body and mind, promote relaxation, and encourage digestion.

A clinical trial involving women with insomnia found that drinking chamomile tea improved sleep quality. The women also noted improved mental health.

Another clinical study involving elderly subjects discovered that chamomile significantly improved sleep quality and reduced the number of night-time sleep disturbances. Researchers noted that chamomile tea might be especially helpful for elderly subjects that have trouble staying asleep at night.   

The British Herbal Compendium recommends chamomile for internal tension and spasms and for mild sleep disorders. 

Chamomile tea has a fresh, floral scent with a hint of apples. It has a light floral flavor that blends well with other herbs.