What are the best teas for stress and depression? This article is a detailed review of all the teas which can help sooth stress and depression. The article also provides empirical evidence about how each tea can help, as well as where to buy them.

Table of Contents

What are the best teas for stress and depression?

Given below is an extensive list of teas, which helps soothe stress and depression:

Lavender tea
Lemon balm tea
Chamomile tea
Green tea
Passionflower tea
Valerian Root Tea
Peppermint Tea
Holy Basil Tea
Ginseng Tea
Linden Tea
Rosemary tea
Catnip Tea
Oat Straw Tea
Golden Root Tea
Ashwagandha Tea
St. John’s Wort Tea
Kava Tea
Ginkgo Tea
Jiaogulan Tea
Licorice Root Tea
Five-flavor fruit tea
Motherwort Tea
Hawthorn Tea
Chinese Jujube Tea
Chrysanthemum Tea
Lemongrass Tea
Safflower Tea
Gotu Kola
Sage Tea
Rose Petal Tea
Jasmine Tea
Common Marigold Tea
Peony Tea

What is Stress?

Stress is a natural response to everyday stresses, but it can become toxic if it interferes with your daily routine. According to the American Psychological Association’s 2019 Stress in America survey:

More than three-quarters of adults experience physical or emotional stress symptoms like headaches, exhaustion, or shifts in sleeping patterns.

To cope with stress, 44% of adults say they exercise or go for a walk, while 47% say they listen to music. About a third of people (37%) spend time with friends or relatives.

In the previous month, nearly half of adults reported that tension kept them awake at night.

In the past year, almost one-third of adults claim they could have used more emotional support.

What is Depression?

Depression isn’t just a feeling of sorrow. A lack of interest and enjoyment in everyday activities, substantial weight loss or gain, insomnia or heavy sleeping, lack of motivation, inability to focus, feelings of worthlessness or excessive remorse, and recurring thoughts of death or suicide are all symptoms of depression.

The most common mental illness is depression. Depression, fortunately, is treatable. Recovery can be helped by a combination of counseling and antidepressant medicine.

How tea helps with stress and depression?

Tea has traditionally been used as a natural stress reliever and to unwind after a long day. Pouring a hot, steamy cup of tea and sipping it while reading your favorite book or lounging in a comfortable chair will help to improve your mood and reduce stress.

Tea also contains strong components which can target stress and depression on a chemical level, according to scientific studies. Tea is not a substitute for conventional drugs for the treatment of serious depression or anxiety.

Certain medications and herbal supplements can interact with teas. Before using herbal or true teas to relieve your symptoms, talk to your doctor. While tea isn’t a cure, it can help alleviate some of the symptoms that come with mental illness.

It has a natural relaxing effect and encourages you to take a break from your day to relax and concentrate on what really matters. Tea will also make you feel better by improving your general health and well-being.

This balanced elixir’s stress-relieving properties will help you relax, while the delicious flavors are sure to please your palate. Simply steep a few tea bags and lift a glass to a better night’s sleep.

Best teas for stress and depression (Details)

Given below are the details of teas which benefit in stress and depression:

Lavender tea

Lavender is well-known for its ability to soothe and relax the mind. Lavender essential oil has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine and other holistic regimens to help relieve depression and anxiety. In Germany, lavender extracts are also licenced for the treatment of anxiety and depression.

Researchers discovered that lavender oil was just as powerful as Lorazepam, a sedative prescribed for anxiety symptoms, in a study of the German lavender supplement Silexan. Lavender also didn’t have the drowsy side effects associated with many anxiety and depression treatments, according to the report. That means you can drink this tea all day long and still concentrate and work.

Lavender tea has a pleasant floral fragrance that aids in relaxation. Lavender’s fragrance has also been shown to increase sleep quality by increasing the amount of time spent in deep sleep cycles.

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Lavender Tea	Buy from Amazon

Lemon balm tea

Lemon balm tea raised GABA levels and decreased corticosterone levels, including cortisol levels, according to a report published in Neurochemical Research. GABA is a relaxation-inducing neurotransmitter, while cortisol is the human stress hormone. According to this report, drinking lemon balm tea will help treat anxiety symptoms on a chemical basis in the brain.

Lemon balm tea was found to help relieve mild to moderate anxiety symptoms in a second study. The 15-day study revealed that 95% of volunteers responded to therapy, with 70% showing full anxiety remission. It’s important to remember that this was a 20-person pilot study, and further research is needed to validate the findings.

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Lemon balm Tea	Buy from Amazon

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea is made from the flowers of the chamomile plant and has a taste close to that of a crisp green apple. The tea is well-known as a bedtime tea that aids in relaxation. The effects of chamomile tea on psychological distress were investigated in a study published in Phytomedicine.

Chamomile tea’s soothing properties are due to its chemical composition. Apigenin, an antioxidant found in chamomile tea, works directly on neurotransmitters and brain receptors to trigger relaxation. Sleep is also improved with its use.

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Chamomile Tea	Buy from Amazon

Green tea

L-theanine is an amino acid present in green tea. Caffeine absorption is hindered by this amino acid, which has a natural calming effect. L-theanine has been shown in studies to have a natural relaxing effect on the nervous system.

According to a report, green tea has a strong calming effect on the nervous system. Green tea inhibited a-amylase activity, a stress marker, according to the researchers.

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Lipton Green Tea	Buy from Amazon

Passionflower tea

Passionflower has long been used to help people get a better night’s sleep. It can also help with depressive symptoms. The petals of the passion flower plant are used to make passionflower tea.

The plant has long been used to treat anxiety, seizures, and hysteria in the form of tinctures and supplements. Prior to 1978, the FDA had approved passionflower as an over-the-counter sleep aid and sedative.

Drinking passionflower tea improved sleep efficiency, according to a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in Phytotherapy Research. Passionflower, like other herbal teas, helps to increase GABA levels, which promote relaxation and enhance sleep quality. Read evidence here.

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Passionflower Tea	Buy from Amazon

Valerian Root Tea

Valerian root tea is a common remedy for insomnia and stress. It has a distinct fragrance and a light sweetness to it. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other herbs like chamomile and St. John’s wort. According to a review, valerian root reduced systolic blood pressure responsiveness, heart rate response, and self-reported stress.

Although there have been cases of over use, Valerian root is usually healthy for most people. An excess of approximately 20 times the prescribed therapeutic dosage, on the other hand, tends to be harmless.

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Valerian Tea	Buy from Amazon

Peppermint Tea

Because of its invigorating fragrance, peppermint tea has potent anti-distress properties. Peppermint tea is made by steeping peppermint leaves in hot water. The result is a pale green tea with a tingling taste and a delightfully soothing scent with hints of pine.

The fragrance of peppermint tea has been shown in studies to help induce relaxation and relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. Anti-inflammatory properties in the tea can help to relieve pain and inflammation. It has the same effects on the nervous system as other herbal teas, lowering cortisol levels and improving mood.

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Peppermint Tea	Buy from Amazon

Holy Basil Tea

Holy basil tea has a good aroma and flavour profile, with hints of clove and peppery notes. The herb is widely used in Thai cuisine and has a long list of health benefits.

People who took 500 milligrammes (mg) of holy basil extract every day felt less nervous, stressed, and depressed, according to a report. People were much more sociable. The leaves of holy basil are recommended for drinking as tea by Ayurvedic practitioners.

Holy basil tea has been shown in studies to be as successful as diazepam and other antidepressants in treating anxiety. It has also been shown that the herb improves memory recall and sleep efficiency. Many studies have shown that drinking the tea reduces stress levels dramatically. It is thought to nurture and nourish the body while also providing a sense of relaxation in these realms.

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Holy basil Tea	Buy from Amazon

Ginseng Tea

Ginseng tea can help to alleviate the tiredness that sometimes comes with depression and anxiety. It can also provide protection against high levels of stress. Ginseng tea has a slightly bitter taste that is balanced by a sweet earthiness. It has earthy undertones with traces of carrot and licorice.

Ginseng might not be a cure-all, but science backs up some of its claims. The effects of ginseng were studied in 90 chronic fatigue patients in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Ginseng was discovered to help enhance mood and cognitive efficiency by researchers.

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Ginseng Tea	Buy from Amazon

Linden Tea

In Europe, linden flower tea is a very popular and common flower tea. It has a sweet taste and a sticky feel, making it one of the best natural teas for at-home use. This tea is used to sedate children, treat headaches, and relieve tension since it has no side effects.

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Linden Tea	Buy from Amazon

Rosemary tea

While rosemary is more commonly found in the kitchen than in the tea cabinet, it makes a tasty, refreshing, and relaxing cup of tea. However, it is still mostly used as an oil. Rosemary oil is used in aromatherapy to help people relax and improve their mood.

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Rosemary Tea	Buy from Amazon

Catnip Tea

Catnip is a stimulant for cats, but it can also be used to make a calming beverage for humans. Catnip has long been used to alleviate fear. It has compounds that are identical to those found in valerian, but it’s unclear if they have the same benefits.

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Catnip Tea	Buy from Amazon

Oat Straw Tea

Oat straw tea has long been used as a folk remedy and natural energy booster, and it can help with insomnia, anxiety, chronic stress, and depression.

Oat straw can also help to boost energy levels and relax the mind. When your mind feels like it’s about to burst, drink this oat straw tea; your mind will soon calm down.

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Oat Straw Tea	Buy from Amazon

Golden Root Tea (Rhodiola)

Rhodiola Rosea, one of the most researched herbs for anxiety relief, may be effective in treating chronic and extreme anxiety. It’s been used in Chinese and Russian medicine to help people deal with stress and improve their stamina. This herb also has potent anti-aging effects. It can be consumed raw or used as a tea.

And though there is some research to back this up, the results are mixed and inconsistent. More research is needed to fully comprehend its possible applications

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Golden Root Tea	Buy from Amazon

Ashwagandha Tea

It’s an adaptogen, which means it can help the body cope with stress. Ashwagandha also has a slew of other health and emotional benefits. It may, for example, improve brain activity, lower blood sugar and cortisol levels, and aid in the treatment of anxiety and depression symptoms.

Read evidence here.

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Ashwagandha Tea	Buy from Amazon

St. John’s Wort Tea

One of the well-researched herbal treatments for depression is St. John’s wort. It can also help with depressive symptoms.

Before using the herb, consult a doctor or pharmacist since it may interfere with certain medications or cause other negative side effects.

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St. John’s Wort Tea	Buy from Amazon

Kava Tea

Kava is a plant that grows in the Pacific Islands. Instead of taste, which is characterized as gross, this is often used for its health benefits. It was discovered in a clinical trial that it could be used as a first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder.

Self-treatment with kava, on the other hand, is not recommended because it can cause liver damage and other severe side effects. It’s commonly used in stress-relieving teas.

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Kava Tea	Buy from Amazon

Ginkgo Tea

A 270 million-year-old tree may be useful in the treatment of anxiety, especially generalized anxiety disorder and memory loss. Both fresh and dried leaves can be used to make tea. If you’re taking some other medications, be careful.

Ginkgo can interact with some medications, such as antidepressants and anticoagulants, despite its benefits.

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Ginkgo Tea	Buy from Amazon

Jiaogulan Tea

Jiaogulan is a plant that has only recently been discovered to be beneficial to humans. It can help to reduce stress and improve overall health as a strong adaptogen.

However, since Jiaogulan is a relatively new plant in the field of non-traditional medicine, the required research could take decades until the benefits and side effects of Jiaogulan are fully understood. According to recent reports, it has anti-stress and anxiolytic properties. Tea can be made from both fresh and dried leaves.

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Jiaogulan Tea	Buy from Amazon

Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root is a common herbal ingredient in cold and flu teas, as well as a popular sweetener and candy. Licorice is also used to treat stress and exhaustion, but research on this is limited.

Licorice extract was found to relieve stress in mice in a study. In a separate study on mice, researchers discovered that licorice extract would boost the anti-anxiety effects of valerian and other anxiety medications.

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Licorice Tea	Buy from Amazon

Five-flavor fruit tea

In China, Korea, and Japan, five-flavor fruit is widely used to make tea. It can help reduce anxiety and stress in the short term.

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Five-flavor Berry Tea	Buy from Amazon

Motherwort Tea

Motherwort, a mint-family plant, may have sedative and hypotensive effects, and may aid in the treatment of heart problems caused by anxiety.

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Motherwort Tea	Buy from Amazon

Hawthorn Tea

This shrub, which can be found on almost every continent, has long been used to safely treat anxiety and heart issues. In modern medicine, however, there is very little evidence to support its use as an anxiolytic.

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Hawthorn Tea	Buy from Amazon

Chinese Jujube Tea

This mango, also known as Chinese date, can be eaten raw or dried to make tea. It has been used to treat stress and anxiety in Chinese and Korean medicine for centuries. It has been shown in studies to have neuroprotective properties. While this tea is sweet, a compound contained in jujube called ziziphi prevents the perception of sweet tastes in other foods and beverages.

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Chinese Jujube Tea	Buy from Amazon

Chrysanthemum Tea

One of the most popular Chinese teas is chrysanthemum tea. It has a light sweet floral flavour and isn’t just a therapeutic tea; it’s also a tea you can enjoy. Flowers of the chrysanthemum have an anxiolytic effect.

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Chrysanthemum Tea	Buy from Amazon

Lemongrass Tea

Tea, cooking, and essential oils can all be made with one of the most versatile, refreshing, and delicious herbs. According to a study published in the Journal of alternative and complementary medicine, a brief exposure to this fragrance has some perceived anxiolytic properties. Lemongrass tea may have a similar impact.

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Lemongrass Tea	Buy from Amazon

Safflower Tea

Dry safflower petals are commonly used in tea blends for taste, appearance, and health benefits. According to research, safflower has anxiolytic and antidepressant properties that are similar to those of modern drugs.

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Safflower Tea	Buy from Amazon

Gotu Kola

Both Chinese and Indian medicine use gotu kola to cope with stress and anxiety. It has been shown in studies that it can be used as a neuroprotective herbal remedy. Gotu Kola tea has a mild, refreshing, and slightly bitter taste that makes it a refreshing drink.

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Gotu kola Tea	Buy from Amazon

Sage Tea

Clinical trials have shown that one of the most popular Mediterranean herbs i.e. sage, thyme, can reduce anxiety in low doses while increasing calmness in high doses.

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Sage Tea	Buy from Amazon

Rose Petal Tea

Rose tea, in addition to its many advantages, assists in the reduction of stress. This is achieved by soothing the mind, making rose tea an ideal tea to drink before bed. Its soothing effect aids in restful sleep according to research.

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Rose Tea	Buy from Amazon

Jasmine Tea

Only the finest leaves grown to our exacting specifications by trusted growers around the world are used by our professional blenders. We hand pick the leaves. Green tea is expertly blended and infused with real jasmine flowers to produce a fragrant tea with a distinct floral fragrance and flavor.

Thomas Twining started selling fine tea from an English storefront in London’s Strand in 1706. Twinings also sells some of the finest teas in the world from its initial store and in over 100 countries around the world. Twinings natural teas are made without added additives and have a wholesome tea experience.

Evidence.

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Twinings of London Jasmine Green Tea Bags, 25 Count (Pack of 1)	Buy from Amazon

Common Marigold Tea

The common marigold could be one of the best natural remedies for anxiety and stress relief. Marigold has traditionally been used in cosmetics for its skin-soothing properties. Marigold polyphenols were found to have significant anti-anxiety activity in a study.

Marigold tea is made from the dried buds and petals of marigold flowers. Petals are frequently combined with other teas and herbs for flavour and health benefits.

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Marigold Tea	Buy from Amazon

Peony Tea

This flowering plant is commonly used as a herbal remedy or as a refreshing tea in Asia. The buds and petals are used to make a refreshing tea, and the root has sedative and stress-relieving potential. It has an antidepressant-like effect, according to studies.

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Peony Tea	Buy from Amazon

Conclusion

This article was a detailed review of tea which can help soothe stress and depression

FAQs: Best tea for stress and depression

What is stress?

Stress is a natural response to everyday stresses, but it can become toxic if it interferes with your daily routine.

What is depression?

How can tea help with stress and depression?

What is empirical evidence for use of lavender tea?

Researchers discovered that lavender was just as powerful as Lorazepam, a sedative prescribed for anxiety symptoms, in a study of the German lavender supplement Silexan.

Lavender also didn’t have the drowsy side effects associated with many anxiety and depression treatments, according to the report. That means you can drink this tea all day long and still concentrate and work.