Having trouble falling asleep? There are plenty of natural remedies to combat insomnia, and drinking tea helps improve your sleep quality! Studies have shown that drinking a cup of tea before bed helps you relax with its calming effects. Though teas are widely known to contain caffeine, there are plenty of others that are caffeine free! Caffeine-free teas have gained popularity in recent years, and are available commercially. Here are some relaxing caffeine-free teas you should try for a better night’s sleep:
Chamomile Tea
An infusion made from dried chamomile flowers, chamomile tea is often used as a sleep aid because of its natural antioxidants that sends sleep signals to the brain. It also helps to boost immunity and lightens one's skin. What’s more, chamomile tea is caffeine free, so you don’t have to worry about the caffeine keeping you up. Just drink a cup an hour before bed, and watch as its sleep inducing effects begin to work wonders.
Rooibos Tea
A popular non-caffeinated tea option, rooibos tea is rich in magnesium and calcium, minerals which boost sleep quality. Made from fermented rooibos leaves, the infusion is also known as red tea, or bush tea. The antioxidants in rooibos tea help reduce stress, and soothe your nerves before bed. It’s also a detoxifying tea, making it suitable for drinking even when you’re watching your health.
Hibiscus Tea
Ever seen a hibiscus flower growing in the wild? Apart from being aesthetically pleasing to look at, hibiscus flowers are also used as a herbal tea. Extracted from the roselle (hibiscus flower), the tea has a tart flavour and is known for its signature reddish appearance. Used to benefit sleep and lower blood pressure, hibiscus tea is especially suitable for individuals with high blood pressure. The extract contains melatonin, which is a hormone used to treat insomnia. You won’t need sleeping pills with this natural sleep aid!
Genmaicha
Originating from Japan, Genmaicha, or brown rice green tea, is shown to help relax the nervous system and reduce stress before bed. While brown rice and green tea might seem like a strange combination, the result is a rich soothing brew that will leave you with a comfortable night’s sleep! Genmaicha has a low 10mg of caffeine, making it safe to drink before bed. The tea contains an ingredient known as GABA, which is a neurotransmitter that sends sleep signals to the brain. What’s better than relaxing with a warm cup of brown rice green tea?
Lavender Tea
Lavender has a naturally relaxing scent, and while frequently used in aromatherapy, it can also be steeped as a tea infusion. Other than boosting sleep, lavender tea is known to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as having anti inflammatory properties. A muscle relaxant, lavender tea reduces tension and keeps migraines at bay, if you get migraines just before bedtime. Studies have shown that drinking lavender tea before bed helps you sleep more restfully. If you take your time and inhale the tea’s calming scent before drinking it, you’ll reap the added sleep benefits the tea possesses!
Valerian Root Tea
Made from the roots and underground stems of the valerian plant, valerian root tea is commonly used to treat sleep disorders. The tea has sedative properties and reduces the time taken to fall into a deep sleep. Due to the tea being unusually potent, it’s recommended that you drink it only if you’re not on any drowsy medication. You can also combine valerian tea with milk or honey to mellow out its strong taste. If you’re looking for something stronger, valerian tea is definitely one you should check out!
Caffeine-free teas are a natural sleep aid, and you can pick from a wide variety of teas according to your preference! So, before you try using sleeping pills, why not experiment with some natural alternatives instead?
