Sleep is essential for the proper functioning of the body. Busy schedules, stress, family responsibilities, and illnesses contribute to sleepless nights. Insomnia, the sustained incapability to sleep, is the most commonly faced problem worldwide. A natural remedy for sleep issues followed by many people is ding a cup of herbal tea. In this article, we will be discussing why a cup of tea assists you to sleep soundly.
Tea:
For centuries people enjoyed a warm cup of tea before going to sleep. Concurring to popular belief, drinking tea, especially herbal tea, is advantageous for overall health and well-being. It’s mild flavor and calming nature makes it a favorite among many fitness enthusiasts as well. Herbal teas are abundant in antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals.
Various herbal teas help in inducing sleep due to the different components in it, which are:
Catechins: These are potent antioxidants that provide medicinal properties in the tea.
Caffeine: Caffeine, a common component in most teas, acts as a nerve stimulant, and enhances nerve cell functioning. It helps boost your mood instantly.
Amino acids: Theanine is the most common form of amino acid present in herbal tea that alleviates stress, relaxes nerves, and enhances brain functions.
All the above three components work collectively to promote sleep quality and keep several diseases at bay. Now, let’s have a look at various herbal teas and how they help in improving sleep.
1. Cannabidiol tea to fight cancer symptoms and insomnia
Cannabis herb has been used for ages as a treatment for many health conditions. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive component found in the cannabis plant. It is antioxidant-rich that is beneficial in preventing conditions like heart diseases and cancer. One of CBD tea’s unique characteristics is its sleep-inducing property, which works by stimulating the endocannabinoid system. It interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the body to help fall asleep and combats insomnia.
As per reports, cannabidiol can be useful in treating anxiety and chronic pain, which are a few reasons for insomnia. Additionally, CBD tea is also helpful in lowering the chances of cancer. Cancer comes with many symptoms, and its treatment, chemotherapy, also has many side-effects. It is painful and causes immense stress that can cause difficulty in sleeping. According to studies cannabidiol can combat cancer cells like breast cancer, uterus cancer, and prostate cancer. Getting relief from cancer and its symptoms can be a significant relief to the patients and help bring quality sleep at night.
You can drink this tea before going to bed to alleviate stress on the nerves and muscles. CBD is also available in other forms like CBD oil, CBD edibles, and CBD gummies. You can also try CBD gummies for sleep that encourages relaxation and relieves tension, thus letting you fall asleep peacefully.
2. Peppermint Tea as a muscle relaxant
For people with insomnia, peppermint tea can be a savior. This mint herb is a combination of spearmint and watermint shrubs, commonly found in household gardens. Peppermint tea has stress-relieving and anti-anxiety characteristics that help in easy dozing off at night. It has menthol that acts as a muscle relaxant and is antispasmodic that promotes sleep despite mental stress.
People who have stomach issues find it very helpful to sleep after drinking this tea. Studies reveal that drinking peppermint brew can reduce bloating, heartburn, digestive tract problems, and acidity easing your sleep process. The tea works to alleviate the pain-sensing fibers in the stomach to prevent belly cramps, cure nausea, and heal irritable bowel syndrome.
Like any other herbal tea, peppermint tea is also caffeine-free, making it perfect for consumption before bedtime. It has anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory qualities that unwind muscles and revitalizes your mind.
Scientists performed another research to examine the consequences of peppermint on pregnant ladies suffering from vomiting and morning sickness. The research concluded that pregnant women who consumed peppermint showed a reduction in the severity of nausea compared to women who depended on a placebo.
3. Green Tea as an anti-anxiety remedy
Green tea is the first herbal tea that comes to everyone’s mind. Like any other herbal tea, green tea also contains caffeine but in a meager amount that helps keep you alert and enhance brain function. The main sleep-promoting ingredient in green tea is the amino acid called L-theanine. Studies reveal that L-theanine in this herbal tea improves neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that has anti-anxiety impacts. L-theanine acts as a relaxing agent and has neuroprotective benefits. It works by alleviating stress-related hormones and supports the brain towards relaxation. Results suggest that sipping 3-4 cups of low-caffeinated green tea during the day helps induce brainwave production that can make you feel less tired and stressed, thus improving sleep quality.
In addition to sleep, green tea is a potent antioxidant reservoir that offers improved brain functionality, weight loss, fights tumors, and lowers heart diseases. The polyphenols present in this tea boast anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat autoimmune diseases by slightly changing the way our immune system works.
Conclusion:
So, these are the three different herbal teas and how they support sleep. Most herbal teas are safe for drinking. People relish it due to its refreshing aroma and rich taste. Try out different herbal teas and enjoy the one that satisfies your taste buds. You can also consult a nutritionist, who can guide you to find the right tea for your specific condition. Try having the tea at least an hour before bedtime, as it gives you the chance to go to the bathroom before dozing off and have a night of uninterrupted sleep.
