Sitting in a comfortable chair with a warm cup of tea or catching up with friends over a brew is relaxing in itself. However, there are some fantastic teas out there that can take this a step further.
Choose one of these popular blends to get you ready for the day ahead or to chill out in the evening. We’ve carefully selected a varied range of our favourites to ensure that there is one to suit all tastes.
Where do herbal teas come from?
Following the discovery of tea in ancient China infusing herbs, spices, tree bark and even lichen with hot water became popular. During this time of experimentation, it was found that particular blends were soothing to drink and had a positive effect on the body.
Across the world, you will find hundreds of different brews used in all kinds of different situations. Often countries or regions have their own favourite. Iceland is famous for its blends of lichen, birch and arctic thyme while South Africa favours rooibos.
How do they work?
Each blend of herbs and spices featured here has its own unique way of relaxing you. With some, the combination of the smell and the act of sipping a warm drink allows your body and mind to calm down.
With others, they can sooth your stomach or clear your mind of worries allowing you to rest. Some contain active ingredients that interact with your nervous system and gently soothes your body or induces sleep.
Here you will find the best teas for relaxation, why you should try them and some inventive ways to add them to your daily routine.
Ginger Tea
Why should you be drinking it?
Ginger tea has a unique smell, great peppery taste and many benefits that add it to its relaxing effect. This tea can improve your circulation and relax muscle pain. It contains active ingredients that act as an anti-inflammatory as well as soothing your stomach and aiding digestion.
How to drink it
Best drunk in the evening, after a large meal or when you have a cold. Take a 2cm to 4cm piece of ginger root and grate or slice it thinly. Add it to a cup and pour nearly boiling water over it.
For extra flavour add:
- Mint leaves
- Peppermint leaves
- Lime juice
- Lemon juice
- Honey
Alternative recipe: Extra spicy ginger toddy
You will need:
2 cups water
4cm ginger root, thinly sliced
2 cloves
1 lime
Honey, as needed
25ml Whisky
Method:
- In a saucepan, add the water, ginger slices and cloves.
- Squeeze the lime juice into the saucepan and add the lime halves into the liquid.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, and then reduce to medium and simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the mixture is gingery enough for your liking.
- Strain the tea, removing cloves, lime halves and ginger from the liquid. Pour into two mugs. Add enough honey and whisky to suit your taste. Enjoy!
Camomile Tea
Why should you be drinking it?
Camomile is an earthy and slightly sweet tea that is occasionally used as a caffeine free tea alternative. It is made from the daisy like Asteraceae flowers and can aid sleep and digestion adding to your overall relaxation.
It contains an antioxidant called apigenin that binds to receptors in your brain helps you to sleep. This combined with its gentle flavour makes it another favourite for evening relaxation.
How to drink it
Add the dried flowers or tea bag to a warm mug and fill with boiling water. Allow the tea to brew for at least 5 minutes then remove the flowers or bag.
For extra flavour add:
- Honey
- Sugar
- Lemon
- Milk
Alternative recipe: Camomile Latte
You will need:
2 camomile tea bags or 2 dessert spoons of loose tea
2 cups of milk (or dairy free alternative)
2 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
Method:
- Add the tea, milk, cloves and cinnamon to a saucepan.
- Warm it on a medium heat until small bubbles form.
- Keep the liquid moving with a wooden spoon to stop it burning on the bottom of the saucepan.
- Simmer gently for 2 minutes then remove from the heat.
- Add the vanilla extract and pour into 2 mugs. Enjoy!
- After the steep, I add a little vanilla extract. I don’t like to add any sweeteners, but you can certainly add some honey to taste.
Peppermint Tea
Why should you be drinking it?
The refreshing nature of peppermint tea makes it perfect for any time of day. It is soothing and relaxing but also keeps you alert and boosts your focus.
Peppermint has antibacterial properties and is often used in aromatherapy to sooth and calm. It also has a history of use in ayurvedic medicine as an aid to relaxation. It can also sooth your stomach, improve your digestion and even help you fight off a cold.
How to drink it
There are lots of great peppermint tea bags and loose tea varieties to choose from, but it is also great to make yourself. It can be made quickly from any variety of mint leaves you have available. Pick them early in the morning and then dry them completely before use.
Add your leaves or tea bag to a cup and fill with boiling water. Leave it for about ten minutes and drink with the bag or strainer still in the cup.
This is a tea that works best with out sweeteners or other flavours.
Alternative recipe: Peppermint Tea Biscuits
Makes 24 biscuits
100g butter or vitalite
100g caster sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup strong brewed peppermint tea (left to cool completely)
300g plain flour
Method:
- Mix the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons brewed tea; beat until well combined.
- Meanwhile, sift the flour into a medium bowl. Slowly add the flour to the mixture while mixing.
- Sprinkle loose flour onto your worktop and scoop out the mixture.
- Using a rolling pin, flatten to about ¼ inch thickness. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until chilled and firm.
- Preheat oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5 and remove the biscuit mixture from the fridge.
- Using biscuit cutters of your choice, cut out biscuit shapes and place on a baking tray, leaving space between biscuits.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the bottom edges just start to turn golden.
- Let them cool and enjoy as an accompaniment to a cup of peppermint tea.
Hemp Tea
Why should you be drinking it?
Hemp tea is a recent addition to shops and online stores and contains useful, naturally occurring substances such as cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. The tea is harvested from hemp which is a variety of cannabis but has very low levels of THC. With less than 0.2% THC it won’t make you high but the other substances will relax you.
The many benefits of hemp tea come from its components interacting with receptors in your nervous system. This can cause your body to balance its many systems and give you a feeling of well-being and relaxation.
How to drink it
Hemp tea is an acquired taste that unfortunately doesn’t go well with sweeteners or flavourings. Until you get used to it use a small amount of loose flower tea or lightly brew the tea bag. When you are more used to it you can finely grind the tea and brew it for up to 15 minutes to get its full relaxing effect.
This is another tea that works well through out the day. Brew it for 5 minutes during the day for a brew that helps you to focus and stay alert and for 15 minutes when you want to wind down in the evening.
Alternative recipe: CBD Butter
This is a great way to recycle hemp tea that has already been brewed. This butter can be added to recipes or spread on toast to get every last bit of CBD.
You will need:
15g hemp tea (saved from your tea and finely shredded)
100g Butter
500ml Water
Method:
- Add the tea and butter to a slow cooker.
- Pour in the water, cover and turn the slow cooker on to its lowest setting.
- Simmer over night checking every 6 to 8 hours. Regularly mix with a wooden spoon and add more water if it shows any sign of boiling dry.
- With a cheese cloth, strain all the butter into a plastic tub. Once it has completely drained give the cloth a little squeeze to get any remaining butter into the tub.
- Put the uncovered tub into the fridge until it completely sets.
- Use your butter to make CBD edibles or just add it your favourite recipes.
Conclusion
The beauty of having so much choice when it comes to relaxing teas is that you can choose your favourite or mix things up and try a new one each day. While not all of these may relax you or suit your taste, you are sure to find one that will.
Remember that often the loose leaf varieties or blends made at home can be even more relaxing and full of flavour. Why not have a go at adding some of these together and making your own perfect relaxing blend?
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