Discover the Calming Benefits of Herbal Teas for a Healthy Nervous System

Herbal teas have become part of our everyday lives. They’ve gained in popularity over recent years, reflecting the public’s interest in health and well-being. According to Future Market Insights (1), the global herbal tea market was worth close to US$4 million in 2023. And it’s forecast to soar to over US$7 million by 2033.

Herbal teas have been consumed since ancient times for their health benefits. They offer a multitude of purposes, from calming and relaxing the mind to supporting the nervous system.

We’re going to explore the features of calming herbal teas in this article. We’ll discover how they can boost your nervous system as part of a healthy lifestyle. We’ll then discuss the many benefits of herbal teas and pick out some of the best herbal teas for relaxation and nervous system support. We’ll also cover herbal tea dosage guidelines so you can enjoy the benefits safely.

Herbs Have Multiple Actions

Herbs are nature’s gifts. They don’t just offer a single benefit but are multi-faceted, supporting overall health and well-being. While certain herbs target specific issues, the entirety of their features works to enhance health as a whole. 

Lavender (2), for example, can help treat depression and sleep disorders. It also has a wide variety of other benefits, from easing the pain of childbirth to offering antibacterial protection.

Herbal medicine embraces the holistic nature of these potent plants. Each herb offers a range of benefits. These combine to support wellness, including mental, emotional and physical health. Understanding the rich and complex nature of herbs will help you appreciate the full range of benefits of herbal teas.

Herbs to Support Your Nervous System

In this section, we’re going to pick out six of the best herbal tea remedies to support the nervous system.

Passionflower

Passionflower is a climbing plant that bears striking, exotic-looking flowers. Native to South America, the passionflower has been used by communities here for many years for its calming properties.

There are many research projects that testify to the passionflower’s soothing qualities. A study (3) found that it reduced anxiety by boosting levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a mood-regulating substance. This improved insomnia symptoms and led to better-quality sleep.

Enjoy passionflower tea benefits with a cup before bed. You can also add drops of passionflower tincture or liquid extract to any other type of beverage.

Lemon Balm (Melissa)

Lemon balm is also renowned for its soothing and relaxing properties. In a study (4), lemon balm extract was added to food and beverage items. After consuming them, participants reported enhanced mood and reduced anxiety.

You can also add lemon balm extract to your everyday foods and drinks. Or try preparing a beverage using dried leaves from your own garden or ready-made tea bags.

Valerian

Many studies have evidenced that valerian root can help people fall asleep quicker and enjoy better-quality sleep. One (5) of these reviewed several previous bodies of work on the subject.

Valerian is a flowering plant that thrives all over the world. Its roots have long been used to aid sleep — this practice was recorded by the Greek physician Hippocrates in the first century BC.

To enjoy valerian tea for sleep, have a cup before you go to bed or add a few drops of tincture to your evening meal.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a plant loved the world over for its cheerful yellow and white flowers and calming properties.

Studies show that chamomile is a remarkable sedative. One (6) found a whole range of this herb’s health benefits, including its ability to relieve stress and anxiety and promote sleepiness.

Use chamomile tea for relaxation as you unwind for the night. Flavour it with honey or date syrup if you prefer a sweeter-tasting tea.

Linden

Linden is the name of a genus of tree species bearing fragrant flowers. The flowers and their buds have been used in traditional medicine to relieve anxiety, lower blood pressure and aid digestion.

Linden tea benefits can relieve symptoms of mild depression and improve overall mental wellbeing. One study (7) identified linden’s ability to mimic gaba-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that calms the nervous system.

For this reason, a cup of linden tea before bedtime can be the perfect way to ease yourself into a restful night’s sleep.

St John’s Wort

St John’s Wort is an herb recognisable by its bright yellow flowers and renowned for its mood-lifting abilities. It’s been used since at least the first century as a natural remedy for many different conditions.

Many studies have shown that this herb can help with symptoms of mild depression and improve emotional well-being. A 2017 study (8) found that it had effects comparable to traditional antidepressant medication.

St John’s Wort tea is an ideal tea to drink any time of day. You can also take St John’s Wort in supplement form.

Be aware that St John’s Wort may interact with certain medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) used to treat depression. Consult your doctor before incorporating St John’s Wort into your diet.

Dosage Considerations

Herbal teas play a valuable role in regulating mood and as natural sleep aids. While they have few side effects, it’s important to understand proper dosage to ensure they can be enjoyed safely.

Follow these guidelines for dosage to avoid unpleasant side effects:

• Passionflower: 1 cup at bedtime to aid sleep or 2 cups a day for other benefits
  Source: Botanical Institue
• Lemon balm: 2 cups a day
  Source: Botanical Institue
• Valerian: 1 cup at bedtime
  Source: Healthline
• Chamomile: 3-4 cups a day
  Source: Botanical Institue
• Linden: 2 cups a day
  Source: WebMD
• St John’s Wort: 3 cups a day
  Source: Botanical Institue

Before using herbal teas to improve your holistic health, be sure to consult your doctor. This is especially important if you have an existing health condition or are taking any medications.

Support Your Overall Wellbeing with Herbal Teas

Herbs have many uses and health benefits that interact with one another to support overall emotional well-being. The ones we’ve looked at in detail in this article offer calming benefits to help promote a healthy nervous system.

Why not try relaxation techniques with herbal teas to boost your health and mood? We’ve given you a few ideas here for herbal teas to try. Experiment and find the ones that work best for your unique needs.

It’s easy to get started. Start your day with an herbal tea, flavoured with honey if you have a sweet tooth. Or sip on herbal teas through the day to increase hydration levels. You can also wind down in the evening with a soothing cup of your favourite herbal tea and drift off for a peaceful night’s sleep — the choice is yours!

References:

1. Future Market Insights website. Herbal Tea Market Snapshot (2022 to 2023). July 2023. https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/herbal-tea-market

2. Batiha, G., Teibo, J., Wasef, L., Shaheen, H., Akomolafe, A., Teibo, T., Al-kuraisy, H., Al-Garbeeb, A., Alexiou, A., Papadakis, M., (2023). A review of the bioactive components and pharmacological properties of Lavandula species, Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology, 396(5): 877–900. Published online 2023 Feb 11. doi: 10.1007/s00210-023-02392-x.

3. Guerrero, F., Medina, G., (2017). Effect of a medicinal plant (Passiflora incarnata L) on sleep, Sleep Science, 2017 Jul-Sep; 10(3): 96–100. doi: 10.5935/1984-0063.20170018.

4. Scholey, A., Gibbs, A., Neale, C., Perry, N., Ossoukhova, A., Bilgo, V., Kras, M., Scholz, C., Sass, M., Buchwald-Werner, S., (2014). Anti-Stress Effects of Lemon Balm-Containing Foods, Nutrients, 6(11), 4805-4821; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6114805.

5. Shinjyo, N., Waddell, G., Green, J., (2020). Valerian Root in Treating Sleep Problems and Associated Disorders—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, 25: 2515690X20967323. Published online 2020 Oct 21. doi: 10.1177/2515690X20967323

6. Sah, A., Naseef, P., Kuruniyan, M., Jain, G., Zakir, F., Aggarwal, G., (2022). A Comprehensive Study of Therapeutic Applications of Chamomile, Pharmaceuticals, 2022 Oct; 15(10): 1284. Published online 2022 Oct 19. doi: 10.3390/ph15101284

7. Allio, A., Calorio, C., Franchino, C., Gavello, D., Carbone, E., Marcantoni, A., (2015). Bud extracts from Tilia tomentosa Moench inhibit hippocampal neuronal firing through GABAA and benzodiazepine receptors activation, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015 Aug 22:172:288-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.06.016. Epub 2015 Jul 2.

8. Ng, Q., Venkatanarayanan, N., Ho, C., 2017. Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) in depression: A meta-analysis, Journal of Affective Disorders, 2017 Mar 1:210:211-221. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048. Epub 2017 Jan 3.