In the photo above, you can see some of the herbal teas I bought and tested during the last month. If the saying ‘you are what you eat’ is to be believed, I must be at least 30% chamomile and valerian by now!
If you spend much time with us Brits, you’ll soon discover that an important step in dealing with many of life’s problems is to put the kettle on.
As well as being a reliable friend that accompanies us in both the good and the bad times, can tea really help us sleep better though? Or is it just the placebo effect and taking some time out to relax that does the trick?
Personally, no herbal tea I’ve ever tried has magically knocked me out if I wasn’t already tired. In reality, I choose to drink them for three main reasons: they don’t contain caffeine, they taste good, and I find they mark a moment in the evening when I intentionally decide to slow down and start unwinding before going to bed.
In this article, I’ll start off by sharing my thoughts on twelve ready-made teas, which includes some classics I’ve drunk for many years. After that, I’ll take a look at the evidence they work, along with some reader suggestions of even more teas to try.
Contents
- 12 teas I bought and tried
- What evidence is there that tea might help you sleep?
- Teas recommended by previous readers
12 teas I bought and tried
How I decided on this list
I’ve been drinking some of these teas for several years anyway, so they were easy includes. To broaden the selection though, I picked up a few I hadn’t previously tried from Sainsburys and Waitrose supermarkets in the UK, and also looked online to see what was currently popular.
My partner and I spent a month drinking our way through the twelve teas, drinking two cups of each tea on two consecutive nights. We then spent a week tasting all of them at different times during the day to see how the flavours compare.
I know it’s always tempting to see lists like this as a ‘number 1 must be the best’ recommendation. However, neither my partner or I found any of them to be noticeably more relaxing than the others. Don’t get me wrong – we both agree that relaxing on the sofa with a nice cup of tea is, well, relaxing. But none of them made us feel unexpectedly drowsy mid conversation!
So, this list has ended up being more about how much we enjoyed the taste. And as you know, taste is subjective. If number 10, 11, or 12 on the list sounds like your cup of tea, don’t be afraid to try it just because it didn’t tickle our taste buds so much.
Some ingredient spellings are different, such as camomile and chamomile. This is due to American and British differences, and I’ve listed them as they appear on the box.
Please note that all the photos in this article are my own and the exact teas I bought and tried, but the manufacturers may change the ingredients or packaging in the future.
1. Pukka Night Time Blissful Rest
Ingredients
- Oat flowering tops (30%)
- Licorice root
- Chamomile flower
- Lavender flower (14%)
- Lime flower (10%)
- Valerian root (4.9%)
- Tulsi leaf
There are three Pukka teas on my list, but the night time blissful rest is my personal favorite. My partner had it as number three, so we both agreed it’s a lovely sleep tea.
It has a pleasant aroma, without the lavender being overpowering. The same applies to the taste, which is flowery and balanced, with a hint of sweetness. It’s the only one we tried with oat flowering tops, which perhaps contributes to the gentle taste.
We also both agreed that the taste is simply what you’d associate with a sleep tea. Nothing jarring or too strong – just a soothing tea you can sip at bedtime.
You can find it in some supermarkets and health food shops in the UK, on the Pukka website, and on Amazon globally.
2. Yogi Tea Bedtime Ayurvedic Blend
Ingredients
- Fennel (31%)
- Chamomile flowers (17%)
- Peppermint (13%)
- Cardamom
- Lemon balm
- Lemon grass
- Valerian root (6%)
- Sage (5%)
- Lavender flowers (3.5%)
- Nutmeg
With ten herbal ingredients, the taste of the Yogi Bedtime (the Ayuverdic blend version) isn’t overpowered by any of them, which is a good thing in our opinion.
It has a warm, herbal glow that we immediately associated with the thought of a calming drink. In some ways, all of our favorites had this in common: they may have herbal/flowery elements, but are balanced and enjoyable to drink.
The Yogi Tea was one that seemed to get better the longer we kept the teabag in too, with the taste developing nicely rather than becoming too strong.
I bought it on Amazon, but you can also find it on the Yogi Tea website. It may also be sold in some health food shops, such as Holland and Barrett in the UK, and stores like Walmart in the US.
3. Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Infusion
Ingredients
- Chamomile
- Spearmint
- Lemongrass
- Tilia Flowers
- Blackberry Leaves
- Orange Blossoms
- Hawthorn
- Rosebuds
When I asked my partner to describe the taste of the Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Infusion, her reply was that “It has a rounded palette, with sweet notes.”
After wondering if she’d ever had a job as a wine critic, I realized she was right. Like the previous two, this one works well as a sleep tea because it’s well balanced, with all eight ingredients working in harmony.
The spearmint does just about poke its head through the other flavours, which we both liked. Perhaps it’s also an ideal choice if you’ve overindulged late at night and need some mint to work its digestive magic.
I bought it on Amazon. You can also find it on the Celestial Seasonings website, and in some health food shops around the world.
4. Pukka Night Time Berry
Ingredients
- Rosehip
- Hibiscus Flower
- Chamomile Flower (15%)
- Lavender Flower
- Licorice Root
- Ginger Root
- Echinacea herb (6%)
- Elderberry (4%)
- Blackcurrant Fruit (4%)
- Valerian Root
- Blueberry Flavor
- Blackcurrant Flavor
After I’d finished taking the photos of the brewed teas for this article, I realized they were all yellow/orange with one exception – Pukka Night Time Berry. The Berries in this tea give it a lovely colour, as well as a punchy aroma and taste.
As you’d expect from looking at the ingredients, it has a fruity taste that’s both sweet and slightly sour at once. Along with the berries, perhaps the Echinacea contributes to the interesting blend of sweet and sour. I’m not always a fan of herbal teas with a strong taste of berries, but this one hits the spot nicely.
You can find it in some supermarkets and health food shops in the UK, on the Pukka website, and on Amazon globally.
5. Tick Tock Bedtime
Ingredients
- Camomile (20%)
- Apple
- Rooibos (15%)
- Honeybush
- Lemon Balm (13%)
- Liquorice
- Lavender (3%)
- Aniseed
- Blackberry Leaves
I’m a huge fan of Rooibos tea and often drink it during the daytime, so I was very happy to discover a specific sleep tea with Rooibos included alongside some typical bedtime tea ingredients.
Tick Tock Bedtime has a full-bodied flavor (back to the wine descriptions!), with a herbal aroma and taste that isn’t dominated by any of the nine ingredients. I could detect the Rooibos though, which gave it a warming feel that I found relaxing to sit down and sip.
I bought it in Waitrose in the UK. It’s also on the Tick Tock Tea website, in some health food shops, other supermarkets like Morrisons, and on Amazon.
6. Twinings Sleep Spiced Apple & Vanilla
Ingredients
- Passionflower (35%)
- Apple Pieces (15%)
- Camomile (14%)
- Cinnamon Bark (10%)
- Natural apple flavouring with other natural flavourings (10%)
- Cardamom (6%)
- Cloves (6%)
- Natural vanilla flavouring with other natural flavourings (4%)
There are two versions of Twinings Sleep on my list, but we both preferred this one. It has a beautiful vanilla aroma, even though the vanilla is slightly more subtle in the taste. Perhaps that’s because the spiced edge created by the Apple, cardamon, cinnamon, and cloves is so apparent.
Relaxing on the sofa while drinking this tea on a cold night in January just felt right to us. The combination of sweetness and warming spice make it a perfect sleep tea for those long winter nights.
I bought it in Sainsburys supermarket, and it’s also sold in other supermarkets in the UK as it’s a popular bedtime tea. You can also find it on the Twinings website and on Amazon.
7. Pukka Three Chamomile
Ingredients
- African chamomile flower (70%)
- Egyptian chamomile flower (20%)
- European chamomile flower (10%)
If you just want a straight up chamomile tea without other ingredients, the Pukka Three Chamomile is the one we recommend.
We’ve both tried various chamomile-only teas over the years, but this one from Pukka stands out for its intense flavor. It’s also interesting that it contains a blend of African, Egyptian, and European chamomile.
There’s not much else to say about it really – it’s just pure chamomile that you’re likely to associate with relaxation if you’re used to drinking chamomile.
You can find it in some supermarkets and health food shops in the UK, on the Pukka website, and on Amazon.
8. Clipper Snore & Peace
Ingredients
- Chamomile (30%)
- Lemon Balm (15%)
- Lemongrass
- Lavender (14%)
- Fennel seed
- Rosehip
- Spearmint
Clipper Snore & Peace contains a fairly sizeable percentage of lavender (14%), but manages to contain the potentially intense smell and flavor that lavender is known for.
There were a couple of teas that didn’t make this list because of what I call extreme lavenderization (the taste was so strong, I had to invent a word for it).
Snore & Peace definitely has a noticeable lavender taste, so it’s one to consider if you enjoy that. Unexpectedly, we found the lavender aroma and taste is strongest when you first pour the tea, but the other flavors catch up after a few minutes and balance it out.
I bought it in Waitrose in the UK, and it’s sold in some other supermarkets too. You can also find it on the Clipper website and Amazon.
9. Twinings Sleep Valerian & Orange Blossom
Ingredients
- Camomile (35%)
- Passionflower (35%)
- Lavender (12%)
- Orange Blossom (10%)
- Valerian Root (4%)
- Natural Blood Orange Flavouring (2%)
- Natural Flavouring
In a similar way to lavender, valerian can also dominate the taste of a herbal tea if the manufacturer allows it to. This version of Twinings Sleep manages to contain the two, even though it still has a noticeably herby taste.
The inclusion of orange blossom and orange flavouring perhaps helps counterbalance the overall feel of the tea. It has a curious combination of earthy flavors with a sweet note layered over the top.
We both thought it has a slightly more medicinal taste than the spiced apple and vanilla Twinings Sleep, but still enjoyed drinking it while relaxing before bedtime.
I bought it in Sainsburys supermarket, and it’s also sold in other supermarkets in the UK as it’s a popular bedtime tea. You can also find it on the Twinings website and on Amazon.
10. Dragonfly Tea – Night Sky Calm
Ingredients
- Camomile
- Lemon balm
- Liquorice
- Honeybush
- Valerian
- Oatstraw
- Lavender
- Sage
Dragonfly Tea Night Sky Calm was one that surprised both of us. It has a kind of medicinal taste when you first sip it, with the valerian and sage coming across quite strongly. But then there’s a kind of sweet aftertaste that lingers in the back of your mouth and throat afterwards.
Some of the other teas have a similar effect, but none as strongly as this one. We couldn’t quite decide which ingredients were responsible for the delicious after taste. Whichever they are, they offset the medicinal side nicely, making it a lovely tea to relax with.
Dragonfly tea also make a couple of excellent mint teas if you’re looking for a digestive tea. And they also make one of my all-time favorite daytime teas, the superb Earl Grey and Rooibos blend.
I bought this one on Amazon. You can also find it in supermarkets and health food shops in the UK and some other countries, as well as the Dragonfly Tea website.
11. Nutra Tea Chamomile & Valerian
Ingredients
- Chamomile (85%)
- Valerian (15%)
In comparison to most of the other teas I’ve looked at so far, Nutra Tea only contains valerian and chamomile. Both the aroma and taste are therefore predictably strong, with no other ingredients to balance them out.
Personally, I preferred the teas that add a little sweetness, but if you’re a fan of chamomile and valerian, this is one to consider. The mix isn’t quite as strong as in some other chamomile and valerian focused teas I’ve tried, so you can still enjoy the tea without feeling it’s too much.
I bought it on Amazon, and haven’t seen it in any physical shops in the UK. You can find out more about it on the Nutratea website.
12. Teapigs Snooze Sleepy Tea
Ingredients
- Organic Apple Pieces (80%)
- Organic Chamomile Flowers (12%)
- Organic Lavender Flowers (8%)
Teapigs Snooze Sleepy Tea ended up in twelfth place only because the lavender was a bit too powerful for my palette. If you associate lavender with relaxation and enjoy the taste though, you may well love this tea.
From the second you pour hot water over the teabag, the unmistakable scent of lavender fills the air. It also contains apple pieces and chamomile, but they fade into the background with so much lavender floating around.
Even though it’s only listed as 8% of the ingredients, I found it provided more like 80% of the taste. So if you find lavender calming and enjoy drinking it at night, this is one to try.
I bought it in Sainsburys in the UK, and you’ll also find it in other supermarkets like Waitrose and Tesco. It’s also available on the Teapigs website and on Amazon.
What evidence is there that tea can help you sleep?
The bottom line is that there hasn’t been enough research into the sedative effects of the herbal ingredients in tea form to draw any firm conclusions. And studies of the ingredients in other forms, with higher quantities than typically found in tea, have found mixed results.
On a more optimistic note for bedtime tea lovers, there’s plenty of support among sleep experts for the idea that intentionally taking some time out to relax before bed can put you in the right frame of mind for sleep.
If drinking your favorite cup of herbal tea in the evening feels relaxing to you, perhaps even forming part of a relaxing bedtime routine, then that may be all the evidence you need.
Having said that, let’s take a look at some of the key ingredients in the herbal tea world. I won’t cover every ingredient listed in the teas above – just the most commonly found ones.
In the photo below, I’m enjoying the best part of my bedtime routine – a relaxing cup of tea and a good book. Bliss!
Chamomile
Chamomile is found in many brands of herbal tea, either alone or mixed with other plants. It’s in all twelve of the store bought teas I discussed above!
As for evidence that it works as a sedative, one review study in 2019 found that it helped with sleep quality, but not with the severity of insomnia.
Studies involving chamomile in actual tea form are very limited. One study in 2016 found that it helped postpartum women sleep better. However, after four weeks there was no difference between those and the control group who didn’t drink the tea. So they suggested that “the positive effects of chamomile tea were limited to the immediate term.”
Valerian
People is an ingredient in six of the twelve teas I tried. It’s one of the few plants which have been shown by researchers to help with sleep. However, a detailed review in 2018 of previous clinical trials found that the overall picture was one of inconclusive results.
Other researchers suggest it may work, but the problem is one of the clinical trials not being well designed. I haven’t found any research studies that used valerian tea specifically; they tend to be in larger dose supplement form instead.
Lavender
Although chamomile and valerian have long been two of the stars of bedtime teas, lavender makes an appearance in eight of the twelve teas I tried.
The evidence that lavender helps with sleep is mainly anecdotal though. I haven’t seen any evidence that it helps with sleep when drunk in tea. One review of eight studies using aroma inhalation suggested that it may provide a small to moderate benefit, but that more research is needed.
Interestingly, in a study in 2015, Taiwanese researchers found that lavender tea helped postnatal women feel less fatigued and depressed – but only in the short term compared to a control group.
Lemon balm
Like lavender, lemon balm has plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting that it helps with anxiety, stress, or insomnia. It’s included in four of the teas on my list.
In a study in 2004, lemon balm was found to be associated with an increase in self-reported feelings of calmness.
One study in 2011 found some positive results when using a concentrated extract. But again, it wasn’t in tea form so the same effect can’t be guaranteed if you drink it – especially if it’s just a small contributor to a tea mix using several ingredients.
Passionflower
The passionflower is stunning when in bloom, alien almost with its complex design. Is the beauty of the flower mirrored in the quality of your beauty sleep though?
There is some research using it in tea form. In the study, 41 participants were given either passionflower tea or a placebo tea. The researchers found that those drinking the real tea had ‘short-term subjective sleep benefits’.
Spearmint and peppermint
In the past, I would only make myself a mint tea if my stomach was bubbling away uncomfortably after eating, but it’s also sometimes included in these herbal teas.
Despite a lack of research using mint in tea form specifically, animal studies have found that peppermint oil can help with indigestion and some other stomach complaints, and work as a muscle relaxant.
And in a study in 2020, using aromatherapy with peppermint was found to improve the sleep of cancer patients.
Teas recommended by previous readers
In the years since I first wrote this article, many readers have shared their favorite teas for sleep. With so many great suggestions, I’ve compiled the list below.
- Yogi soothing bedtime caramel.
- Lemon balm and skullcap combination.
- Chamomile Nights by Stash, with chamomile, spearmint and lotus.
- Chamomile mixed with Chinese tea.
- Lavender sun tea.
- Sleepytime tea mixed with chai white tea and Rooibos red tea.
- Chamomile steeped in hot water along with lemon verbena, with some lemon and sugar added.
- Brewing 10 sweet mint leaves in hot water.
- Sleepytime tea with vanilla.
- Triple Leaf Relaxing Tea (Chinese herbal tea).
- Linden leaves tea.
- Peppermint and chamomile tea combined.
- Tension Tamer.
- Tazo tea.
- Happy Nights tea by Carmencita.
- Nettle tea and Chamomile with a teaspoon of raw honey.
- Teavana’s Winterberry.
- Decaffeinated Earl Grey.
- Nighty Night.
- A concoction of the leaves of guava, taro and mulberry.
- Triple Leaf Relaxing.
- Ahmad Verbena (Vervain).
- Hibiscus tea.
- Dr. Stuart’s relaxation tea.
- David’s tea – Mother’s Little Helper.
- Morpheus from Tin Roof Teas.
- Teepee dreams from the Native American Tea Company.
What’s your favorite tea for sleep?
Which tea do you drink to help you relax as the sun sets and the moon rises? Do you think it has true sedative properties, or is it just the placebo effect working its magic Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
I recently read something on the Intermet about banana peel tea for well-being and sleep. I froze banana peels, dried them in the oven and crushed them. I have been making a tea of camomile and banana peel and I swear the combination works! At least it seems to work for me. And believe me, after a horrible divorce from a 27 year marriage…I have tried a significant number of sleep aids.
Hi Marie,
Thanks for your comment, and I have to say I’ve never heard of that one before! Can you remember where you read it?
Regards
Ethan
I began getting into teas about a month ago. I stay clear of a lot of caffeine and chocolate as per medication I take on a daily basis.
I have found a nice, light white tea in the morning or an oolong help me get my day started. After lunch I try to get in a mug of rooibos and before bedtime is where I have the most variety. I have gotten my kids into teas, too. We have chamomile, peppermint, Catch Your ZZZs, Sleepytime, Tension Tamer to choose from.
They are yummy, comforting & helpful to keep our day running hassle-free. =)
Hi NMR13
Thanks for your comment, and I couldn’t agree more that tea is a good way to start and end the day, and can help keep you calm and happy during the day.
Hooray for tea and the many amazing types that exist!
Regards
Ethan
I combined peppermint and chamomile tea together and I am so relaxed. I think I found a new nightly routine!
Hi Meghan
That’s a great combination! I hope your new routine continues to work for you:-)
Regards
Ethan
Where can I buy in EIRE I cannot sleep until all hours Aldi Earl Grea green tea, berry fruits I got today are they any good not tried them yet
Thank you
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for your comment. Have you tried your local amazon site? And I haven’t tried that tea, so can’t advise you on it I’m afraid!
Regards
Ethan
I want to share my favorite tea, made by Isho tea and sold on Amazon and their own shop, ishotea.com. It is called VERRRY SLEEEPY, and has the first 3 herbs mentioned above, camomile, valerian, lavender, plus it has passionflower and African Rooibos. This tea is amazing, I have left reviews on Amazon because the company is a small start up and they do everything right, fast shipping, great packaging, and even respond to email. It is organic loose tea which means it is a much higher quality than the ones you have listed above. Loose tea is much better tasting than tea bags. I love this tea, it is not habit forming, better than anything else i’ve tried. Plus it tastes great. I really like this company, and being a small business owner I just wanted to plug them. I think they are in Oregon. Give them a try.
Hi Tony
Thanks for your comment, and yes, that was definitely a ‘plug’ as you say! I have to say though, I quite like the taste of tea from teabags and find it more convenient! But for those that don’t, I’m sure they will find your suggestion interesting.
Regards
Ethan
My favorite decaf tea so far is Celestial Seasonings Honey Lavender Tea. Nothing relaxes me like that tea for some reason. I never really liked lavender scented things but that tea is perfect when my world is going crazy. It really helps me slow down and take a few minutes to regroup so I can get reorganized or just unwind after a tough day.
Hi Kit
Thanks for the comment, and I’m happy to hear you’ve found a tea which seems to work wonders for you. You also seem to truly appreciate the power of a tea to help you take some valuable time out!
Regards
Ethan
While the many herbal ingredients in various teas may or may not help insomnia, I think a comprehensive approach works best;therefore physical exercise during the day, don’t eat or drink too soon before bedtime, relax at night without TV, computers and phones, make sure you have a reasonably quiet and dark room, good quality mattress, take your preferred supplements, and so on. Of course few people will do/have all the above ingredients….I’m just saying some combination of the above, needs to be considered. I would think, very few people can take only herbal supplements and expect that alone to work. All this of course is just one guys long opinion. Lol.
Hi Neil,
I couldn’t agree with you more! In fact, it’s not just your opinion, but mine as well. And you pretty much listed the key things which I personally try to do most days to help keep the insomnia at bay. If you look at the sleep hygiene section here, you’ll find your suggestions and many more. But it’s always great to hear from a reader who has a good understanding of the importance of trying to do as much as possible that will help you sleep and not just rely on one thing, as you wisely point out.
All the best
Ethan
I drink soursop tea every time I’m unable to catch sleep
Hi Elveljem
I’ve never tried that before – what is it like? Do you think it really helps?
Regards
Ethan
So I love tea, and even though my favorite tea is Chai, (not good for sleeping) I have been trying to find one that I love to drink, and helps me sleep. Lately, I’ve been using peppermint tea because I don’t really like how Camomile tastes. But whenever I don’t like a certain type of tea, I just mix it with a different tea that I do like. So tonight, I plan to mix one of my favorites: lemon ginger, with my not so favorite: camomile. I probably won’t let you guys know how it is… but maybe.
Hi Ben
Thanks for your comment, and that’s an interesting idea about mixing teas you do and don’t like. Personally I would just keep looking for one I love and stick with that one.
Regards
Ethan
Hey! This is a very helpful article. Thanks :)
Do you know if regular unflavoured green tea helps you get a good night’s sleep?
Hi Sanika,
I’m glad you found the article useful – thanks for saying so!
Most green tea contains caffeine, so unless you aren’t sensitive to caffeine, it’s probably not he best bedtime drink!
All the best
Ethan
I do believe teas can be helpful. I read an article that suggested steeping 2-3 tea bags in a 1/2cup (mug) of boiled water; cover the mug and let it steep for at least one half of an hour. I actually prepare it at dinner and then drink it at bedtime. My sleeping has finally turned the corner from “unable to fall asleep” to “more easily fall asleep and it be restful.” It did take about a week or so for that to happen. I combined several teas which contained key herbs of lavender and chamomile among the higher content ingredients. For full disclosure, I did use a lavender cream on my feet (at bedtime) in conjunction with drinking the tea. I no longer have to do this every night. One major change I made was eliminating caffeine after 1:00 p.m.
Hi BLMofMI
Thanks for your comment, and I’m glad to hear you found such success in improving your sleep through drinking tea, and perhaps with a little help from some relaxing pampering! I don’t know about the specifics of steeping tea for so long, and I guess it depends on the exact ingredients, quantities and desired effect. Personally I find tea which has been steeped for a long time a little over-bearing. But if you enjoy it, that’s all that matters!
Regards
Ethan
well, it’s written on the box of most of those infusions to let it for 5 minutes in boiled water. I guess that the rough taste that we get after those 5 minutes must be from the useful ingredients. Pleasant tasting medicine is quite rare ! Hops in hot water taste awful. It’s too bad that beer just keep me awake if i drink only a few…
Hi Rej,
Thanks for adding that extra information, and your English is very good! 5 minutes sounds much more like the time I would expect to brew tea for. It’s interesting that you’ve found a combination of natural sources and bought teabags. I think that’s a good idea!
Regards
Ethan
it’s St John’s Wort, NOT St John’s Wart .
For me, passion flower mix with Hops help to calm down. Not too much HOPs though because it’s a diuretic .
Hi Rej
Thank you very much for that correction – I can’t believe how long that error has stood there for before either I noticed or someone pointed it out! I’ve been trying a local passion flower tea recently and quite enjoying it. Do you make your own mix?
Regards
Ethan
I’ve bought some local hops which is very high in alpha and beta acid so I don’t need to use that much. It need to infuse for 5 minutes in very hot water. As to the passion flower, I buy the best one i can find in form of tea bags. I really feel the effect , sometimes feeling a bit dizzy.
( rather funny that a French Canadian is correcting some english text, I make so many mistakes in english :-) Cheers ! )
I do not think i have insomnia, but i do have some sleep troubles. When i was a little bit younger (I am between the ages of 13 and 17) i used to have peppermint tea every night before bed, i have slacked off though. Would drinking peppermint tea again help me sleep better? Does the Bigelow Sweet Dreams really work?
Hi Brenna,
Thanks for your comment, and I’m sure that if it helped you in the past, there is a good chance it will help you again. It’s worth trying! I think it works in so much as if you find it relaxing then that’s good enough. That’s my opinion anyway:-)
Regards
Ethan
Hi Ethan, how about Rooibos tea, have you heard of it ? Sorry if you mentioned it in your passage but I didn’t notice it. If compare Rooibos with Chamomile, which one of it has a better effect in helping people to sleep ?
Hi Jason,
I drink quite a lot of Rooibos tea and really like it! However, I don’t consider it a bedtime tea and don’t know of any sedative effects. I mainly use it as a replacement for normal English tea when it’s later in the day and I don’t want to drink anything with caffeiene. But I imagine that like many hot drinks, if you find it relaxing to sit down and enjoy a cup, then that’s as good as anything else!
In comparison with Chamomile, I imagine Chamomile has more of a reputation as a sedative. But as I said, whatever works for you!
Regards
Ethan
I just started drinking Yogi Kava Tea at night to relax and promote sleep. It works very well for me, but for the last two nights I have been getting slight headaches. So trying to figure out what could cause the headaches I went on the internet and there are warning about kava and liver damage. Now I wonder where to go to get more facts.
Hi Mollie,
Thanks for your comment, and that sounds a bit stressful! One minute you’re enjoying a relaxing cup of tea, the next you’re worrying about headaches and liver damage! You could always try looking at the websites of major health organizations for more information. There are always health warnings attached to just about everything you can ingest, but I think Kava tea wouldn’t be sold on such a commercial basis if it wasn’t passed as safe to drink! But perhaps you are one of the people who is more sensitive to it than others. And on the other hand, the headaches could have been caused by something else. Try a different tea for a few days and see if the headaches stop.
Regards
Ethan
To me, the best way to come home and relax and have a good night sleep is a glass of wine, just poor it in a wine glass with one or two cubes of ice and sip it like it’s going to be the last drink you ever have,.. Just remember one Glass only, but if you go for the second glass consider yourself a wine- not…drinker.
Hi there,
Thanks for your comment. I think as long as you’re drinking in moderation, then if it works for you it’s a personal choice to be taken.
Regards
Ethan
“Sleep With Me” blend from Paromi Teas. Super hi – grade organic product, comes in a glass jar. Chamomile, Valerian, etc.
Hi Pascal,
Thanks for that recommendation. I’ll have to try that one – I’ve just looked it up online and the ingredients seem quite interesting and different from most other night time teas.
Regards
Ethan
I just read about kava helping with stress and anxiety and I have terrible back issues and don’t want to always be medicated before bed. It’s 9:10 and I just had some Yogi Kava tea I got from W.Foods (surprisingly large selection there). I hope it works!
Hi Joanne,
Yes, Kava is one of those which many people believe can help with anxiety and stress. If you have a moment, it would be great to hear back from you and how you got on with the tea.
Regards
Ethan
Hi there,
Glucose levels dropping during the night is very commonly responsible for the sudden waking up in the middle of the night often accompanied with anxiety which is caused by the hormone Cortisol that the body produces to counteract the low blood sugar.
If you wake up in the night and can’t get back to sleep, try eating a couple of large teaspoons of honey. If you find you drop off to sleep fairly soon afterwards then you know low blood sugar levels are the problem.
A diet consisting of less carbohydrates and more protein will help balance your blood sugars and prevent the huge swings in insulin (and consequently crashing blood glucose levels) which occur due to a diet rich in heavy carbs such as bread, potato, pasta etc..
Alcohol at night will also cause these lows and especially anxiety..
I hope this helps someone, it works really well for me..
Hi KS
Thanks for your comment and your advice. It’s certainly an interesting an idea to test out the blood sugar drop possibility with some honey. I also imagine that having a generally healthy and balanced diet should help. Especially if you eat lower GI food, even if you still like your carbs. Brown rice and bread and wholewheat pasta for example.
Thanks again
Ethan
Tazo – Rest works great! Chamomile and Valerian root. It’s one of the few I can find around with Valerian root as an ingredient. Sometimes tough to find in stores so when I do find it, I get a few boxes. A nice cup of that and about a half hour later i’m ready for lights out! One of the few I can actually feel working.
Hi Brad,
Thanks for your comment. I haven’t tried the Tazo-rest so might have to give it a go. It’s always good to hear about new teas, so thanks for the idea!
Regards
Ethan
a teaspoon of locally produced honey accompanied by a cup of strong peppermint tea just before bedtime, leads to pleasant dreams – which probably means a good sleep. Apparently the Chinese have known this for thousands of years. Conversely, a spoon of the horrendously tasting manuka honey before bed causes me to dream, but weird and wild dreams – the choice is yours.
Hi Marco,
Thanks for your comment, and yes peppermint tea with some honey does make for a fantastic bedtime tea. I’ve never been aware of Manuka honey causing me any strange dreams, so now you mention it, I might have to experiment and see what happens!
Regards
Ethan
Thanks for putting this article out there Ethan. So often we see the commercials for prescription sleep aids. They are often much more expensive and dare I say, un-natural ways to fall asleep than having some chamomile or valerian or peppermint tea.
Hi Joe,
I’m glad you appreciate the article. I try to look at the world of sleep from different angles, so whilst I cover traditional sleep aids, I’m also a big fan of natural remedies. And as I say in various different places, even if it’s mind over matter at work or the relaxing feeling you get from sitting down with a herbal tea, it’s just as good as something actually having a sedative effect.
And of course, I’m from England, so a nice cup of tea will always feature highly on my recommended actions for just about any problem in life:-)
Regards
Ethan
What tea is best for sleep ?
Chamomile normal tea or chamomile with mint tea ?
Hi Vasanthi,
It’s impossible to say really. Sometimes I think it’s weird that mint can help promote sleep because it’s also used to refresh and energize. But lots of people do find it helps them relax. So I guess it doesn’t make much difference, and it’s up to you to decide which works best.
Regards
Ethan
I love Celestial Seasongs teas. I drink many of them. I have found that the Sleepytime Vanilla is really good alone or combined with their peppermint.
Hi Tracy,
Thanks for the comment. It’s good to hear from readers and which teas they like!
Regards
Ethan
I bought a herbal tea sampler a while back. I tried Chamomile, and though it smelled and looked wonderful, for some reason it didn’t taste good. I know I like Red Rose, which is all my family drinks, and I enjoyed Earl Grey/English Breakfast, but other than that I haven’t experimented much.
Is there a healthier alternative to having a tea that tastes soothingly sweet without loading it with sugar? I’m trying to cut back on the amount of sugar, milk and cream I use in my tea.
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for your comment. Have you tried adding just a bit of honey to your tea? There are lots of different kinds of honey you can try, and it will definitely add some sweetness, and depending on which you use, reduce the amount of refined sweetness you’re adding – at least when compared to standard sugar.
Maybe another reader will have an idea for you as well:-)
Regards
Ethan
I drink a cup of camomile tea (asda camomile tea bags) usually 3 or 4 evenings in the week . It does work for me ,but I seem to dream a lot more and the dreams are rather weird . Hope this is usefull.
Hi Billy
Thanks for the comment – I guess it’s up to you whether to continue with the strange dreams or not! Some people would welcome that, others not. But at least you’ve found something which can help you sleep:-)
Regards
Ethan
I’ve never been a tea drinker until I recently decided to eliminate caffeine from my diet. I knew nothing about teas, so I experimented with a few different flavors. One was chamomile. I couldn’t believe how tired I became after one cup. And this was in the afternoon! I didn’t have another cup of chamomile for a week, but the same thing happened. Again , in the afternoon…BAM, I completely nodded off before finishing the entire cup. Fortunately, I was already home from work when the sleepiness kicked in. As a novice tea drinker, I had no idea that this kind of tea could make you drowsy. In my case, it really kicks my butt. Maybe my make-up makes me susceptible to chamomile. But I think I’ll hold off drinking it until shortly before bedtime. I don’t need this effect early in the day.
Hi TJ
Thanks for your comment, and it’s great that you’ve found a tea which works so well! You definitely sound like you’re particularly susceptible to the sedative effect the chamomile has, so I guess you’re right in being careful when you drink it. But it’s good to hear from someone who has had such success with it as a bedtime drink.
Regards
Ethan
For me I just drink a strawberry tea. The aroma is amusing and it helps me to sleep :)
Thanks for the suggestion Lynn! I like the smell of strawberry tea as well.
Regards
Ethan
I found that celestial seasonings sleepy time kids tea good night grape works great I had essentially gotten it for my children but decided to try it myself add I have a very hard time going to sleep at night and it does help to put me to sleep
Hi Candace,
Thanks for your comment – it’s great to hear from readers and which teas they find relaxing. How lucky that you found a tea which helps both you and the kids!
Regards
Ethan
Women on hormonal birth control should not have St.Johns Wort
Thanks for that saraj – I just did some research into that, and you appear to be correct that some warnings have appeared that it can reduce the birth control effectiveness.
I’ve always had problems with anxiety and quality of sleep. I’ve found a routine that has helped me improve both these problems: I drink 1 cup of green tea before work, then 1 cup of coffee when I arrive at work, then in the evening I’ll drink both chamomile and decaf green teas mixed together up until bedtime (approx. 4 cups per night). I always leave the tea bags in the cup and will let it stand for a minimum of 5 minutes before drinking. I believe doing this has helped me significantly because my anxiety and sleep improved when I started this routine, plus other aspects of my life such as diet, exercise and work stresses have remained relatively constant.
I want to try experimenting with Lavender and Valerian next.
Hi there,
Thanks for your comment and sharing your ideas of teas to drink before bed. Is the green tea you’re drinking caffeine-free?
Regards
Ethan
I drink Mint Tea.
Me too sometimes, but during the day normally.
I am a very ‘light’ sleeper, can wake up to a flick of a light switch. I have no problem falling asleep, (I can do it on a dime), what I have a hard time with is staying asleep. I chalk it up part in parcel to my low thyroid condition, people says it’s hogwash…
Hi Jadesun,
It’s very common to have problems staying asleep, and there could be all kinds of explanations for it. Hopefully you’ll find a way to manage it:-)
Ethan
Celestial Seasonings Tension Tamer herbal caffeine free
I swear by Dr Stuart’s Valerian Plus tea. Half an hour before bed and the next thing I know it’s morning! It’s available in the UK from Holland & Barret, Waitrose or direct from Dr Stuarts.
Thanks for that Joy! Always good to have more recommendations:-)
Regards
Ethan
I may have to try the St. Johns Wart. I have not tried many natural remedies but I am thinking I should cut out the nightly glass of wine and try tea. The added benefits of something that helps with stress seems like a great idea. I think that is why I have a hard time sleeping in the first place.
Hi there,
Thanks for the comment, and yes, if you think you have trouble sleeping because of stress then there are many things you can do to help. Alcohol has been shown to help people fall asleep quicker, but then can disturb the amount of REM sleep you have, which is important for your well-being. So perhaps try something herbal and keep the nightly wine as a treat!
Regards
Ethan
well I hate it but I can’t fall asleep without the tv!
Well, if it works for you then I guess it’s better than not falling asleep! But I’m sure with some time you could train yourself to sleep without it:-)
Awesome this is good to know.
Thanks for posting
You’re welcome Shrikat
tea does work you just have to half fill the cup with whisky
I’m not sure if that’s still classified as tea then, or tea-flavored whiskey!
Hi Ethan,
I recently tried a sleepy/dreaming tea that contained Mugwort. It worked nicely, but I haven’t seen much written about it or advertised in other teas?
What is your though on this herb?
Cheers, Chrissy
Hi Chrissy
Thanks for your comment and question, and sorry for the late response – I’ve been studying so had no time to reply to comments until now. To be honest I don’t have much of an opinion on Mugwort one way or the other. I haven’t found it to be calming personally, but haven’t drunk it more than a couple of times to be fair. I have heard of other people – as yourself also now – saying it works well. But once again there is no scientific evidence that it has sedative properties, or can help with any of the other conditions it is supposed to. If it works for you though, then that’s the only important thing:-)
Regards
Ethan
Chamomile tea works well, and Sleepy Time Tea works. But chamomile night tea does help for a bit. Drink one cup of chamomile tea and then take a sleeping pill, and then sit in your bed and watch TV until you get sleepy and then have a peaceful night sleep. Hope you have a good night.
Hi Torscher
Thanks for your comment, and I’m glad to see you find Chamomile tea good for sleep. But I have to say I’m not sure about your advice of taking a sleeping pill and watching TV in bed!
I know this article is about tea, but I feel compelled to mention that watching TV in bed is something which is well known to stop people falling asleep easily. It’s best to keep the bedroom as a peaceful sanctuary with no visual electronics.
Hopefully you’re also only taking sleeping pills on a short-term basis, or on the advice of a doctor It’s easy to get trapped in a cycle of taking them permanently. So if you can stick with the Chamomile, but let go of the bedroom TV and maybe the sleeping pills at some point, you’ll be doing well:-)
Best wishes
Ethan
To really make it even more effective, get yourself some glasses that block the “blue light” coming from your electronics…TV, phone, clocks, iPads, so your body can produce the important melatonin. That blue light emitted from the TV will go through the eyes to the part of the brain that produces the melatonin. (Pineal gland). They’re less than 10.00 at Amazon. I bought the ones that can fit over my glasses. I think they’ve made a big difference with my sleep latency since buying them.
Hi la196,
That’s an interesting idea, and you’re totally right about the light being capable of interfering with your natural melatonin production, and so your sleep cycle. The alternative is of course to turn the brightness right down if using computers or phones. And if it’s a good TV, also on there if the option is available.
But best of all is of course to read a book and not watch any electronic device!
Regards
Ethan
No matter What anyone say chamomile tea does not help you sleep I’m a severe insomniac and it did not help me sleep
Hi
It definitely won’t help everyone! If you’re a severe insomniac, then it might just not be enough for you. But as part of a relaxing bed-time ritual you might find it helpful rather than expecting it to be an all-out sedative.
Regards
Ethan
I’m sorry you have trouble sleeping. I’m sure you have tried everything you can think of to change that. I wonder if you focused on totally changing how you think from the moment you started each new day, like mind over matter, and under no circumstances let your mind wonder back to the old way of thinking. I’m not just referring to the insomnia way of thinking, but the entire way you think about you, who you are, and perhaps creating a new you. To do this, you would have to establish a whole new routine, perhaps a more healthier routine??! Start your day off with a brisk walk thinking of happy, healthy things. Change the things you eat to a more balanced, well rounded meal, always, and less sugar and fast foods. After a nice relaxing shower, and loud, happy singing take 15 mins to read the paper, or a book. Go to work a different way. In our stressful times, it’s not always easy to be positive, but, try to be, anyway. Try changing how you see people, especially those you’d rather not see at all??!
I think you get the msg. Anything is possible. Don’t give in to, I can’t change this. You can change anything if you want it bad enough. Change doesn’t come easy. But, take small steps towards your goals. Don’t ever let your mind be negative, rebuke it, fight it. Become a more positive person if you aren’t already. Your whole life will become so much brighter, and the lives around you.
There are so many good books out there to help guide you in a healthier way of thinking, eating, and most of all, living!
Good Luck To You!
Dee
Very positive advice – thanks for that!
Any suggestions on books?!
Not really to be honest! I just had a quick look on amazon for you, but can’t find much! You’ll probably have more luck searching specific webites about tea and herbal tea brewing.
Regards
Ethan
Well… (1) don’t take a sleeping pill because those are horrible for you and not natural at all. You want to build good sleeping habits naturally so that you will be able to maintain them without taking a pill every night. Also, if you want to go to sleep faster, it’s better to listen to quiet music that is peaceful and helps you relax. The reason why you should not watch TV is that watching TV stimulates your brain and increases brain activity. So watching TV is kind of counterproductive. MY suggestions for the best sleep are as follows, and doing these things has really helped me achieve better sleep:
1) Watch TV about 1-2 hours before the time you get in bed. I actually don’t even watch TV in the evening unless its a movie with friends. Instead, I enjoy my favorite shows in the morning with breakfast. This is actually better because (as I mentioned before) TV promotes brain activity. So this will help you wake up and be more ready and mentally active in the morning when you are getting ready for work/school/whatever.
2) Don’t eat right before going to bed. You want your digestive system to not be working while you try to sleep. You should also try to use the bathroom before going to bed to ensure that you won’t be kept awake having to go to the bathroom.
3) Try and get everything you need to do done at least an hour before bedtime. You want to feel ready to sleep, and you don’t want to be stressed or feeling like you still have things to do. Go through a checklist of everything that you think needs to be done a few hours before you go to bed so that you can feel relaxed and ready to get some Z’s.
4) Enjoy some a small serving of your favorite sleeping tea. Don’t have so much that you feel totally filled. You still want to be fairly empty before sleeping. Trying to sleep while bloated… not easy, relaxing or good. And also don’t try to choke down a tea that you don’t like. I personally don’t like camomile, so I mix it with a stronger tea that I like.
5) Try listening to some soft music that you find relaxing. I like classical piano or something like that. But don’t try to sleep with headphones in or listening to death metal. Neither will encourage good sleep. You can also try listening to some nice natural sounds such as water or forest sounds or whale mating calls. (XD) Whatever helps you relax.
So that’s about all the advice I can think of right now. If you have any opinions about these or you think you have some better ideas or you tried something that worked well for you, please reply. I’d love to know if (1) you found this helpful or (2) if you have any disagreement or anything or (3) if you have any additions to my list of sleeping tips. Okay… I’m off for a good nights rest and I hope you all are as well.
Some great advice there Ben! Since you addressed it to another reader, I’ll leave it to see if they come back and answer your questions:-)
Ethan