Enjoy the best teas for anxiety all in 1 powerful blog post below…
Recently me and Robyn made a video on the top 5 best teas for anxiety (at the bottom), and since it got a ton of interest I wanted to expand on these teas in this post. I’m personally always on the lookout in my research as to which types of teas can be the best sidekick (to a CBT based approach) for anxiety and emotional distress.
Adaptogens are medicinal mushrooms and herbs that restore, balance and protect the body.
These herbs below not only help with outside stressors like dealing with people, the workplace, and lifestyle but also inside stressors like inflammation, a lack of sleep, and toxicity overload in the gut. Any stress you may have means that finding the right adaptogen blend will be extremely beneficial when overcoming anxiety, and even life after anxiety (maintenance).When our vital force is depressed, deficient, or toxic you need plants and herbs that can restore homeostasis and balance within the body.
Positive changes can be seen within days, and people often feel like they have a new lease on life! Here are the 5 best teas for anxiety.
Reishi
In my opinion the most trending tea available today, as well as one of the best teas for anxiety. Reishi is also known as Ganoderma Lucederm and Lingzhi. The so called ‘king of mushrooms’ packs an acquired taste for some, but can be countered with a touch of honey.
Reishi produces an anti-inflammatory effect to the body, is rich in antioxidants, boosts your immune system and can crush adrenal fatigue. Knowing that anxiety and adrenal fatigue go hand in hand many times, this tea should be a top choice for the wary warrior during their transition towards anxiety desensitization.
Personally I love making reishi through the actual mushroom rather than drinking through a teabag (not a fan of teabags as most of you know through my Instagram life).
How to prepare:
There are many ways to prepare reishi mushrooms. After all, we have had 4000 years of practice. No matter what your preferred method is, any way you do it will still give you a large amount of reishi benefits. The most popular way to consume reishi is in tea form. You can purchase reishi tea online and in organic or health food stores, but you’ll see it’s just as easy to buy as a big dried mushroom.
- Wash the mushroom
- Get a sharp knife, be patient, and begin cutting the mushroom into small pieces
- 3 pieces about 4 cm’s wide will do
- Place the reishi pieces into a pot and boil for 2 hours
- Let it sit for 10 minutes
- Serve and enjoy
*I recommend making a big batch of Reishi tea and storing it in the fridge for 3-4 days.
He Shou Wu
The mysterious ancient Chinese medicine called He Shou Wu is next, and certainly one of the best teas for anxiety today in my opinion. Also called Polygonum Multiflorum, it’s know that the man who they call Li Ching Yuen who is believed to live until 256 years of age owes his longevity to this tea, among other Chinese herbs.
He Shou Wu stimulates the body to produce longevity producing substances, and is also considered to be an adaptogen. This adaptogen is known to create balance and homeostasis in the body warding off internal and external stress.
He Shou Wu is also known to stimulate our intuitive abilities as well as raise our spiritual awareness. Excellent for anyone currently going through their own spiritual awakening (here’s my personal story).
How to prepare:
- Add a quarter teaspoon to hot water
- Stir
- Serve and enjoy
Lemon Balm Tea
As far back as the middle ages, insomniacs have been relying on this calming herb to reduce stress, anxiety, and indigestion. As a member of the mint family, lemon balm has a minty yet lemony taste. For best results in reducing insomnia, lemon balm should be combined with other herbs.
Lemon balm tea should certainly be in the arena of the best teas for anxiety.
In one study 81 percent of participants with mild sleep issues slept better with a combination of lemon balm and valerian than those who took a placebo. Lemon balm may interact with the GABA receptors in your brain, the activation of which reduces stress and helps induce a deep nights sleep. Lemon balm also falls into the mood stabilizer category as it is known for controlling daytime crankiness.
How to prepare:
- Add 1 tablespoon to hot water
- Let it steep for 10-20 minutes
- Stir
- Serve and enjoy
*Lemon balm is great as a tincture, but you can easily reap its calming effects in tea form as well.
St Johns Wort
St Johns Wort is a herb that is native to Europe, North America, Asia, and can be found in meadows, or backyard gardens. The leaves, flowers and seeds of St. Johns Wort can be used to make medicinal tea. Throughout history, this has been the herbal tea of choice for depression and anxiety and was filled with spiritual meaning (listen to the best spiritual teachings for anxiety and mental health) even prior to Christianity.
Ancient Greeks and Romans hung this herb as a religious icon. It was believed to ward off evil spirits and this belief continued on in early Christian and medieval times. Today, many people still drink St John’s Wort tea for its calming nature and for the many other health benefits this tea may offer. Commonly used to treat depression, St. John’s wort can help insomniacs who also have comer-bid depression.
Like lemon balm, researchers believe it stimulates the GABA receptors, which kickstarts the sleep process. It can help you deal with anxiety, irritability and even mild depression. It will lift your spirits and help stabilize your emotions, meaning it will help control stress and anger and also help break through periods of sadness.
St Johns Wort tea is known to have adverse effects if used in conjunction with medication. Please consult your physician prior to beginning.
How to prepare:
- Steep 2 – 3 teaspoons of fresh flowers in hot water for 4 minutes
- Strain the flowers out (if using dried St. Johns Wort, steep 2 teaspoons in hot water for 5-10 minutes)
- Serve and enjoy
*Aim for 2 cups per day one in the morning and one in the evening.
Catnip Tea
While it makes cats go crazy, catnip tea reduces insomnia for humans by inducing drowsiness. Catnip also wards off the common cold, treats indigestion, relieves intestinal cramping, and alleviates colic for babies. Tea drinking cat lovers can bond over the shared interest with their feline companions.
Personally I’ve found catnip tea to be excellent prior to sleep. That induced drowsy feeling is great for setting you up for balance in your circadian rhythm, and getting the REM restful sleep you need.
How to prepare:
- Place 1-2 tablespoons of dried catnip flowers and leaves in a teacup
- Pour a cup of hot, not boiling water, and cover
- Wait 10-15 minutes (if you use fresh catnip leaves, double the amount used)
- Serve and enjoy
*Begin with one cup of tea for a week, and up to two cups daily if benefits are felt
Conclusion
In this post as well as the video below from my YouTube channel, I’ve tried to serve up the lesser known teas, and in my opinion the more potent ones. As a sidekick to a program that challenges and helps you shift your current mental and emotional patterns, these teas will help in a big way. Enjoy your tea time, and the video below!
Thank you so much Dennis!!! You take time away from your own families to help with all of us warriors ❤❤❤
Very welcome Tammy hope the post helped. ❤️
I can’t wait to go shopping for these teas thank you Dennis !!
Enjoy Claire.
What are the dosages for the Valerian Root and the St. John’s wort if taking by pill form
Thank you Dennis and Robyn
Claire I would usually take 300 – 500mg of Valerian about an hour before sleep. For anxiety 3 times a day 120 – 200mg is the recommended does by my naturopath. Of course, speak to a physical if you’re taking any medications alongside. 300mg daily was recommended to me as well with St Johns Wort. for my anxiety and depression.
I love that you did this!!! Thank you ❤️ I always say you need a tea recipe book 😉
Very welcome Darlene.
Oooo, lemon balm tea! I love lemon balm, although I’ve never made it into a tea. I’ll have to grow some along with my spearmint this year and make it into some tea. Not sure I’d try the mushroom tea, and I had NO idea catnip could be drunk as such. Interesting article! I’ll be giving at least the lemon balm a try!
Big fan of lemon balm also.
Are there any contradictions with these herbal teas to anxiety meds or SSRI depressents?
Yes there can certainly be some, especially with St johns wort and medications, best to double check with your naturopath and doctor.