Cups of tea are a truly wonderful thing. They can help us get over a shock; enjoy a celebration; be cosy with friends. But, what tea will help me sleep, I hear you cry!
Never fear, we have been doing a little bit of homework, and have worked out the best sleepy teas there are out there.
What Tea Will Help Me Sleep?
There are a good many teas that are designed to help you get some good shut-eye, for various reasons.
Some of the main “sleepy teas” are:
- Chamomile. Well known for its sedative properties, chamomile is a calming, relaxing tea that will help you to drift off.
- Valerian. A natural relaxant, valerian tea is excellent for those who struggle to sleep because of anxiety and stress.
- Mint. If you have digestive issues before bed, a cup of mint tea will help to soothe your system and help you doze off.
- Ginger. Like mint, ginger is great for the digestive system and will help to calm any stomach problems, helping you sleep.
- Decaff. The caffeine in regular tea can keep you awake, so if you can’t do without a cuppa then at least go for a reduced caffeine version.
- Bedtime tea. Available at most supermarkets, bedtime tea is generally a blend of different sedative-type teas, that can help you get some sleep.
As you can see, none of the above contain any caffeine – this is key to helping you sleep better, as caffeine is a stimulant and can keep you awake.
If you like verbal instructions rather than reading words, check out this video:
What Tea Acts As A Sedative?
Chamomile and valerian are well known sedative teas, but there are a few others you can try if you don’t like these options.
- Lavender, widely used for its relaxing, calming properties, makes a deliciously floral tea that is very relaxing.
- Magnolia is more than just a beautiful tree, it can also be used as a sedative tea! It contains honokiol and magnolol, known for their use in helping insomnia.
- Passionflower is a beautiful plant, and one that can beautifully help you to relax and drift off. It is also very useful in treating the symptoms of anxiety.
- Bedtime tea is great for those who just want something that is easy to source (you can buy sleepy teas in most supermarkets these days). This is generally a mixture of different types of sedative teas, so that you can be sure of a good night’s sleep.
Interestingly, some people swear by breakfast tea as a sedative tea. We would not recommend this because of the caffeine content, but there is no doubt that for some people, it works.
If you are struggling to get to sleep, or to relax and turn off your brain in the evenings, certain types of tea can help.
It is a good idea to try a few out and see which one works the best for you, so why not get a selection and work your way through them?
Why Can’t I Sleep When I Drink Tea At Night?
If you have been trying to drift off with a nice hot cup of tea, you may actually be preventing yourself from sleeping well.
Tea contains caffeine, which is a stimulant that can get the mind and the body going at 100 miles an hour.
Having a hot drink before bed is a great idea – but you should probably stick to decaf or fruit teas for the right effect!
Drinking a warm drink before bed has been shown to help improve sleep, but if you go for a fully caffeinated version then you may find that you struggle to nod off.
Have a look through our lists, and try out a caffeine free tea that you like that hopefully gives you enough of a sedative effect to drift off (and that you like the taste of!)
Is It Ok To Drink Valerian Tea Every Night?
Valerian tea is widely recognised as being a great way to help you nod off. But, how do we know how much is too much?
Research shows that it is generally safe for short term use, in doses of up to 600mg daily for up to 6 weeks.
However, caution is recommended because the long term safety of taking valerian is unknown.
It is absolutely fine to self-medicate with natural remedies and herbs, but you should always exercise caution, especially if you have health issues.
Valerian is safe, but it would be advisable that you don’t drink it every day. You can go for it for a few weeks then have a few weeks off if you like.
Before starting on anything new, it is always a good idea to consult with your doctor, just to be on the safe side.
If you fancy trying out valerian tea, here is a good article explaining everything you might like to know about it.
How Do You Fall Asleep With Tea?
Falling asleep with a nice, comforting cuppa is a great way to drift off – but there are better and worse ways to do it!
Firstly, if you really can’t sleep without a cuppa, go for a decaffeinated version. This will mean that your body is not being stimulated by the caffeine, keeping you awake.
Secondly, it is well known that milky drinks can help you fall asleep quicker, so consider adding a little more of the white stuff to your tea.
You should definitely avoid sugar late at night, as this is another stimulant that may keep you up.
Don’t make it too hot – warm tea is perfect for a bedtime brew – and you stand less chance of burning yourself if you drop it over the bedclothes!
If you can, try a herbal or fruit tea to fall asleep with – these are caffeine free, and also offer many other health benefits.
If you’ve been wondering, “What tea will help me sleep?” then you’ve definitely come to the right place! Hopefully we’ve given you some ideas to help you drift off.
Have a look through our suggestions, try a few different teas and see which one you like the best, and which one works for you.
