Best Tea for Anxiety: 9 Calming Teas

Why Do People Drink Tea for Anxiety?

Tea may reduce stress and help people relax, fall asleep faster, and feel less anxious overall. Teas have been used for medicinal purposes for many centuries. Studies show that herbal teas are known for their calming properties.¹  Many people find that the ritual of making and drinking a cup of tea helps soothe anxiety, regardless of the type of tea.

Research shows that approximately 60-80% of the world’s population uses medicinal herbs, including teas, for treating various healthcare needs.² The global demand for tea for health and wellness has continued to increase in recent years.

Health Benefits of Drinking Tea

In addition to potentially reducing anxiety symptoms, tea is associated with many other health benefits, including an improved immune system, decreased cancer and heart disease rates, reduction in menstrual pain and muscle spasms, and enhanced pain management. Tea can also lower blood pressure and improve liver health.

Potential benefits of drinking tea include:³

• Improving sleep and decreasing insomnia
• Soothing digestive issues and reducing upset stomach
• Regulating blood sugar levels
• Lowering cholesterol levels
• Improving symptoms of morning sickness and nausea
• Decreasing the intensity of menstrual cramps

Different types of teas are known to have different effects, so some might help you sleep, while others can help wake you up. Similarly, some can soothe your throat, and the temperature you select can also help keep you feeling warm and cozy or help you cool off.

Which Is Better: Loose Leaf Tea or Bagged Tea?

Ultimately, most people choose their type of tea based on preference or convenience. However, loose-leaf tea tends to be considered superior. It has more nutritional benefits, consisting of larger leaves that retain more catechins and polyphenols. People can also control the strength of their tea when they use loose tea.

Best Calming Teas for Anxiety

Many teas offer anti-anxiety effects. That said, finding the right tea for you can be a trial-and-error process. It’s common to drink tea at night to relax, but people drink tea any time of day. Herbal teas can help decrease stress, but the act of drinking any tea may offer a sense of relaxation and calmness.

Here are the nine best teas for anxiety:

1. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is caffeine-free and has a naturally sweet taste. It’s been used for centuries for its taste and impressive health benefits. Peppermint leaves have several essential oils, such as limonene and menthol. In addition, peppermint extracts are associated with facilitating better digestion, reducing headaches, helping with cold symptoms, improving energy, and strengthening concentration.

Peppermint tea is sold as either loose-leaf tea or in tea bags. However, it’s also simple to grow peppermint by adding peppermint leaves to boiling water, steeping it for five minutes, and straining the tea leaves. Since this tea doesn’t have caffeine, you can consume it anytime.

Some peppermint teas for anxiety include:

• Twinings of London Pure Peppermint Herbal Tea
• Twinings of London Pure Peppermint
• Rishi Tea Peppermint Tea

2. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea has been used for a long time as an herbal treatment, and it’s one of the oldest documented medicinal planets in the world. Chamomile tea’s dried flowers contain many flavonoids and terpenoids, contributing to its medicinal benefits. Today, chamomile treats inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual cramps, insomnia, gastrointestinal distress, and hemorrhoids.⁴

Chamomile tea is made by infusing dried chamomile flowers into hot water. Because it is caffeine-free, it can generally be enjoyed at any time. It contains antioxidants and has a sweet taste. Many people drink chamomile before bedtime, and research shows it contains some benefits that can promote sleepiness and increase sleep quality.

Some chamomile teas for anxiety include:

• FGO Organic Chamomile Tea
• Celestial Seasonings Herbal Tea, Chamomile
• Taylors of Harrogate Organic Chamomile Herbal Tea

3. Lavender Tea

Lavender is a common ingredient in many herbal tea blends. It also exists as a standalone tea. There are 47 different kinds of lavender grown all over the world. Most lavender used in tea comes from the English lavender plant. It has a floral, sweet taste that is known for its soothing and calming benefits.

Lavender has been used for hundreds of years to reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety. It’s also associated with better sleep, increased mood, reduced chronic pain, and a strengthened immune system. It also supports digestive health, so many people drink this kind of tea just after eating.

Some lavender teas for anxiety include:

• TreeLux Lavender Flowers Tea
• Yogi Tea- Honey Lavender Stress Relief
• Organic Lavender Flowers

4. Green Tea

Sometimes known as the ‘superfood of tea,’ green tea is associated with numerous health benefits. It’s also an ancient medicine used in Asia for thousands of years. At one point, it was even smuggled to avoid taxes. Green tea catechins may reduce the risk of type II diabetes, coronary disease, and other metabolic issues.⁵

Green tea does contain caffeine, so timing consumption is important for people with caffeine sensitivities. However, the mental health benefits include better cognitive performance, stronger working memory, and more positive moods. It can also help people feel less depressed, as the ingredients in green tea are associated with decreasing oxidative stress.

Some green teas for anxiety include:

• Bigelow Tea Classic Green Tea
• Yogi Tea- Green Tea Super Antioxidant
• Twinings Green Tea With Jasmine

5. Matcha Tea

Matcha tea is a certain kind of green tea. Matcha comes from the same plant as green tea but is prepared differently, and people consume the entire leaves. Like green tea, matcha has an earthy taste. In addition to tea, matcha is also used in coffee, smoothies, and baked goods.

Matcha is associated with improved mental performance, better mood, and reduced depressive symptoms. Matcha contains l-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation and reduces overall stress levels. Like green tea, matcha also contains caffeine, so it’s important to consider timing the consumption.

Some matcha teas for anxiety include:

• FGO Organic Matcha Green Tea
• Jade Leaf Matcha Organic
• MATCHA Certified Organic Matcha Tea

6. Passionflower Tea

There are over 500 different kinds of species in the Passifloracea family, but Passiflora incarnata is the most common ingredient used in tea. This passionflower contains many health benefits, including promoting a sense of calmness and cultivating better sleep. Passionflower also has antioxidant properties that can reduce inflammation.

Passionflower is known for reducing daily stress and anxiety. It can also be helpful for people experiencing depression or sleep issues. In addition, passionflower may promote metabolic health, reduce menopausal symptoms, and decrease pain. On its own, loose-leaf passionflower tea does not contain caffeine.

Some passionflower teas for anxiety include:

• Buddha Teas Passion Flower Tea
• Alvita Tea Organic Herbal Passionflower Tea
• Tazo Iced Passion Herbal Tea

7. Licorice Root Tea

Licorice has also been used as an herbal medicine for thousands of years worldwide, particularly in China. Licorice root has a slightly sweet and cool flavor that tastes like licorice candy. It’s often used to ward off colds due to its antiviral properties. It can also soothe symptoms of a current cold.

Some research shows that licorice extract has anti-anxiety properties. Licorice root stimulates the adrenal gland, which helps regulate cortisol, the body’s stress hormone. Licorice tea does not contain caffeine. However, there are some side effects, such as increased blood pressure and decreased potassium, when consumed in large amounts.⁶

Some licorice root teas for anxiety include:

• Egyptian Licorice
• Handpick Licorice Root Tea Bags
• Traditional Medicinals Tea, Organic Licorice Root

8. Rose Tea

There are over 130 types of rose species, and roses have been used as medicinal plants for thousands of years. Rose petals contain essential oils and unique flavonoids and tannins. Rosea tea also contains significant amounts of vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help the body fight infections and colds.

Rose tea tastes sweet and smells fragrant (just like roses). The mental health benefits include increased relaxation, decreased anxiety and depression symptoms, better sleep, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is naturally caffeine-free, meaning it can be consumed anytime. It’s possible to make rose tea by steeping rose petals into hot water.

Some rose teas for anxiety include:

• Numi Organic White Rose Tea
• Traditional Medicinals Tea, Organic Rose Hips & Hibiscus
• Tian Hu Shan Rose Tea Loose Leaf

9. Black Tea

Black tea is one of the most popular global drinks. It is often combined with other plants to make blends like Earl Gray or chai tea, and its flavor is strong and somewhat bitter. Black tea is packed with antioxidants, which can boost cardiovascular health, stabilize cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and potentially reduce the risk of a stroke.

Black tea contains both caffeine and l-theanine. The combined effects of these ingredients are associated with improved mental cognition and concentration. Likewise, many people feel a sense of calm energy after drinking black tea. Black tea is also associated with decreased depression, anxiety, and mood swings.

Some black teas for anxiety include:

• FGO Organic Black Tea
• 365 Organic Black Tea
• Tetley British Blend Premium Black Tea

When to Seek Professional Help for Anxiety

Nutritional and lifestyle changes can certainly help reduce anxiety symptoms. However, anxiety can persist, and it may worsen if left untreated. If anxiety is interfering with your relationships, well-being, or overall quality of life, finding a therapist can help. 

An online therapist directory is a useful tool for finding a therapist in your area who specializes in treating anxiety. Alternatively, an online therapy platform can provide you with a suitable therapist from the comfort of your own home.