What are the best soothing teas?

Calming teas have effective properties to combat stress, insomnia and anxiety, depending on their complexity. However, only some medicinal herbs contain substances that actually relax and calm.

Therefore, in this article we selected the best calming teas that, in addition to improving mood, insomnia and concentration, also have in their composition assets that bring benefits for other health problems, such as, for example, PMS, blood pressure control and muscle tension.

Below, learn about the main medicinal plants, their care and learn how to make the calming tea the right way to feel the desired effect.

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) also known as lavender, is a medicinal plant that can aid in the treatment of various comorbidities such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, cholesterol and gastric discomfort.

To better understand its benefits, here's how lavender can improve sleep, control blood pressure, and promote a relaxing effect.

Relaxing

Thanks to its calming and antidepressant properties, lavender is an excellent natural alternative on those days when you are nervous and overwhelmed with everyday tasks. For its tea causes almost immediately a relaxing effect, helping you to control anxiety, depression and stress.

Improves sleep

Insomnia is nowadays one of the most recurrent problems among adults due to the concern with their commitments, pressure at work and financial difficulties, for example. However, having a good night's sleep is very important to avoid the appearance of more serious diseases.

Therefore, lavender is a powerful plant that helps to improve sleep because it has substances capable of calming and relaxing. So, whenever you have trouble sleeping, drink the tea a few minutes before going to bed and you will have a peaceful and restful night.

Blood pressure

Lavender is also a great option for those who need to control blood pressure, as this plant has properties that reduce heart rate and decrease fat in the blood, causing cholesterol to rise.

However, before making use of lavender, seek a doctor and see the possibility of making use of this plant as a way to minimize the problem. Therefore, do not make any natural treatment or stop taking your medicine on your own.

Chamomile

One of the world's best known medicinal plants is chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla). Belonging to the Asteraceae family, it is one of the most popular herbs due to its numerous health benefits such as, gastrointestinal ailments, external wounds, as well as regulating blood sugar levels, for example.

In addition, chamomile is famous for containing anxiolytic and calming properties, which help control insomnia, stress and nervousness. Below, learn more how this plant can bring quality of life. See below.

Against insomnia

Chamomile is a natural sedative, so it is an excellent alternative on those days when you are having trouble sleeping. Anxiety may be one of the reasons that keeps you awake at night. So, if this is the cause, it is worth looking for medical help and then start a more appropriate treatment.

Against stress

To relieve the stress caused by the many tasks of everyday life, consuming chamomile will help lower your heart rate and consequently, leave you calmer and more relaxed. After all, you need to disconnect from daily worries, as they can cause emotional exhaustion and even trigger a more serious health problem.

So, when you get home from work or if something is happening that is stressing you out, make chamomile tea and create an environment with few lights. This way, you will feel more relaxed to reorganize your thoughts and be able to make better decisions.

Against nervousness

If you are a person who loses your temper easily, chamomile is a strong ally, because it contains calming properties that promote emotional balance. So, whenever you are angry with someone or some situation, make use of chamomile and feel its benefit.

Valerian

Valerian (Valeriana Officinalis) is a world-renowned medicinal plant. In some places, this herb is called catnip, valerian or wild valerian. In addition to bringing several health benefits, it has calming and relaxing properties that help with emotional illnesses and insomnia.

The root is the most common part of the plant to be used, because it has a higher concentration of its properties. Very common in the preparation of teas, this herb can also be found in capsules, but you must first consult a doctor to avoid overdose, even though it is a natural remedy.

Mild sedative

The substances present in valerian, such as valerenic and isovaleric acids, are properties that calm and relax. Therefore, this plant is considered a mild sedative and helps to combat disorders caused by lack of sleep.

However, the exaggerated consumption of valerian can generate the opposite effect, causing insomnia and euphoria. Another option to consume less of this plant is combining it with lemon balm, because together they have assets that relieve agitation and stress.

Combats panic

To combat panic, valerian tea has proven very effective in some studies, because it contains a composition rich in flavonoids, valerenic acids, isovaleric and others. Thus, this plant has properties that directly affect the functioning of the brain, causing a relaxing and calming effect.

However, despite being beneficial to treat emotional disorders, valerian should be consumed with caution and with medical prescription, because the interaction with other drugs can cause adverse reactions. In addition, it is necessary to assess the degree of complexity of the disorder for the treatment to bring the desired effect.

Lemon balm or melissa

One of the most used medicinal herbs by Brazilians, citronella or melissa (Melissa Officinalis), is very popular due to its numerous health benefits. Because it contains flavonoids and phenolics in its composition, it is an excellent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant and calming.

In addition to lemon balm, as it is also known, being used to treat gastrointestinal ailments, it is a mild, relaxing sedative that helps improve focus. To learn more on how this plant can be beneficial to your life, see below.

Improves focus

Difficulty concentrating may be associated with some problem that requires more attention. However, inattention often can be controlled by eliminating distractions, such as limiting cell phone use while doing important activities.

Citronella herb has substances that relax, making the mind less agitated and, consecutively, your thoughts become organized, improving your focus. Therefore, whenever you are lacking concentration, make citron tea and you will feel less agitated and anxious.

Mild sedative

One of the active ingredients of citron is rosmarinic acid, a phenolic compound, considered a sedative property capable of aiding in insomnia, promoting a pleasant and peaceful night's sleep. Therefore, making use of citron or melissa tea, can be an excellent natural remedy for those who can not sleep.

Soothing

Citronella is a plant that can also be used in times of stress and anxiety, because it contains calming and relaxing properties. The use of this herb can be done through tea, which will quickly cause a sense of relaxation and well-being. Thus, this plant can be used whenever you feel anxious or in high spirits.

St. John's Wort

St. John's wort is a medicinal plant commonly known as St. John's wort or hypericum and receives the scientific name Hypericum perforatum. The composition of this herb has flavonoids, tannins, hyperforin, among other substances that relieve muscle tension, treat anxiety and mild to moderate depression, and relieve PMS symptoms.

However, its use requires some care, because in some cases, St. John's wort cannot be used associated with certain types of medications. Therefore, it is necessary that a doctor or a herbalist be consulted before using it. Learn more about the benefits of this herb below.

Relieves muscle tension

Muscle tension often happens due to high levels of stress and anxiety, causing severe pain when muscles contract involuntarily. St. John's wort contains properties capable of relaxing and calming because it acts directly on the central nervous system.

The most used form is tea, but it is also possible to find it in capsules or tincture. So, when you are tense for some reason, use the herb of St. John's wort and feel its benefits.

Fights mood disorders

One of the main uses of St. John's wort is for the treatment of mild to moderate depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Because it has hypericin and hyperforin, compounds present in the plant that affect the central nervous system, it helps normalize brain function.

However, St. John's wort should be used sparingly and preferably with a doctor's prescription, since the interaction with other drugs can trigger other diseases or cause unpleasant side effects. So, in this case, avoid self-medicating, even though it is a medicinal herb.

Helps with PMS

For containing analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic action, the St. John's wort is ideal to help in the PMS period. The most common is to consume it with the use of tea. Therefore, whenever you feel some discomfort, such as cramps and mood swings, for example, make use of this plant.

Lime

Lime, which can also be called teja, tejo and texa, is a medicinal herb known worldwide for treating various types of diseases, intestinal tract, immune and especially to reduce anxiety and calm the nerves. This plant has three species, being they Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos and Tilia x vulgaris.

Easily found, linden has antidepressant, calming, detoxifying and diuretic properties. However, its use should be with caution, because it tends to be accumulative, i.e., the more you drink this tea, the body absorbs more and more of it. Therefore, the amount of tea should be gradually reduced. To learn more, keep reading.

Reduces anxiety

Because it contains properties that act on the central nervous system, linden helps reduce anxiety attacks, relaxing and rebalancing the heart rate and the functioning of the brain. Tea is the most common way to consume linden, but if you are already taking medicine, consult your doctor and see if you can use it together.

Calms the nerves

Lime is a plant, as already mentioned, rich in properties that cause relaxation and calm the nerves. Therefore, this herb is ideal for those moments when you are under strong tension and stress caused by problems at work, traffic and family, for example.

However, do not take linden tea in excess, because despite being a plant, it can cause some uncomfortable reactions such as diarrhea, besides remaining a high concentration in the body. Therefore, it is worth consulting with phytotherapist to guide you in its correct use, especially if you have predisposition to allergies or diseases.

Steps on how to make the soothing tea

For the soothing tea to make the desired effect, it is necessary that the step by step is done correctly. In addition, there are some precautions that should be taken before the preparation of tea.

See below, how to make the tea correctly so that its properties are extracted correctly and thus get a greater effectiveness. Check below.

Water

When preparing the soothing tea, choose to use filtered or mineral water, heat it in a mug, but you do not need to boil it. Just heat the liquid, until it forms small bubbles and turn off the heat.

Remember that for each handful of plant, root or dried herb, heat about 250 ml of water. If using tea bags, use only one or according to the amount of water used.

The container

After heating water, place it in a container and add the herb of your choice. Ideally, it should be a ceramic teapot or equivalent, with a lid to preserve the temperature of the soothing tea and brew properly.

The wait

After this process, it is essential that the soothing tea is left to infuse for about 5 to 10 minutes, as the waiting time will be important for all the nutrients and properties to be released into the hot water.

Then, drain the liquid and consume it, preferably on the same day. The tea can also be preserved in the refrigerator for about 3 days. After this period, the medicinal properties will be lost and will no longer have the desired effect.

Care

Soothing tea aims to improve sleep, calm and relax. However, despite being harmless because they are natural, medicinal herbs require some care when consuming them, which are:

- When buying or selecting good herbs, roots or flowers. Generally, they should be dehydrated and organic to ensure a greater effect;

- If you choose to buy them in natural products stores, check their origin, expiration date and if the storage is correct;

- Some herbs, roots or flowers, contain substances that should not interact with other medications, so consult a doctor or herbalist first.

Does the calming tea have contraindications?

All medicinal plants mentioned in this article have healing properties and, especially, calming and relaxing. However, there are contraindications in some cases, such as pregnant and lactating women and children up to 3 years old. The consumption of calming tea should be evaluated by a doctor.

In addition, for those who are allergic, it is recommended to seek a doctor or a phytotherapist, to analyze whether there is any substance that can trigger a reaction, especially plants such as chamomile, for example.

Drivers or people who do some manual work or that is highly dangerous should avoid using the calming tea before exercising their function, because it can cause drowsiness. For those who already use controlled medication, the tea should be consumed with caution so that no overdose occurs, because some drugs have similar substances with those of some plantsmentioned.