We all know that it's super important to have good quality sleep, yet in these challenging and uncertain times it can be a struggle to fall asleep, let alone stay asleep.
Sleep is critical for our health, not enough can lead to health conditions, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, depression, hypertension. Good quality sleep helps our bodies to recover, promotes skin health, brain health and encourages healthy cell division. Sleep deprivation is similar to alcohol intoxication according to sleep advisers (1)
Herbal teas have been used as natural sleep aids for centuries and could be the key to getting some well needed shut eye. Develop a night time routine to help you wind down and try some of these sleepy infusions before bed to get you in the mood for top quality zzzz
1) Lavender
This well known flower is thought to help with relaxation, calm nerves, lead to better sleep, improve skin health. The aroma is soothing and a lavender tea can be a great way to calm the body and mind. The ancient Greeks and Romans were obsessed with lavender, discovering its healing and antiseptic qualities.
"One study in 80 new mothers in Taiwan found that those who drank 1 cup of lavender tea per day for 2 weeks while taking time to appreciate the tea’s aroma reported less fatigue and depression, compared with those who didn’t smell and drink the tea" (2)
Our Tickety Brew has the benefit of not only containing lavender but also being the colour blue which is "associated with feelings of calm which, when picked up by your ganglion cells (which process visual information) and relayed to your brain, helps reduce blood pressure and heart rate, all of which help you receive a solid night’s sleep" (3)
2) L-Theanine
The sleep Doctor Michael J Breus encourages his "patients to drink tea. Whatever time of day or night, drinking a cup of tea can be a soothing, relaxing ritual" (4)
Black and Green tea contain an amino acid called L-theanine, which is primarily found in green and black teas which can help to increased alpha brain waves, which promote “Deep relaxation and clear the mind of unwanted thoughts or distractions. This helps decrease sleep latency, the amount of time it takes you to go from being fully awake to sleeping,” (5)
It works to relax rather than sedate. L-theanine elevates levels of GABA, as well as serotonin and dopamine. You will find our Gunpowder Green a perfect robust green tea to aid with mental focus and relaxation.
Our Revi.tea.lise is perfect relaxing tea for an after dinner cuppa, with a base of Green tea it's low in caffeine and contains spices great for aiding digestion.
3) GABA
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) is a neurotransmitter that sends messages to and from the brain and the nervous system, with the ultimate goal of managing fear and anxiety. GABA receptors live on nerve cells, receiving messages from GABA neurotransmitters which help control nerve impulses. (6)
GABA facilitates sleep, reduces mental and physical stress, lowers anxiety, and creates a calmness of mood. It's like putting breaks on the brain.
Found naturally in varieties of green, black and oolong teas. GABA can be increased in Tea due to the process. The leaves are partially shaded two weeks prior to plucking. During the oxidation-phase of production, all oxygen is replaced with nitrogen gas, this causes the glutamic acid to be converted GABA
To meet Japanese standards and be labeled GABA Tea, the finished product must contain at least 150mg of GABA per 100g dry weight.
Our comforting smooth and buttery Mentalitea is perfect for calming the. brain whilst getting ready for sleep. Its consistently between 250 - 280 mg/100g
4) Lemongrass and Lemon Verbena
This lemony powerhouse duo has calming effects as an aid to help with sleep. Both have been used as tradition remedies around the world due to the calming effects as an aid to sleep disorders such as insomnia.
By reducing stress and anxiety before sleep there is a better chance of restorative quality sleep.
Lemon verbena is also rich in melatonin, a hormone in our bodies that increases as night approaches, stimulated by darkness and causes you to become sleepy. (7)
Not only are you getting a dose of melatonin naturally with our caffeine free Organic Cool Brew the lemon verbena, lemongrass, helps to sooth your stress away, the kawakawa and ginger aid in digestion. Perfect before bed.
Do you know your Chronoytpe? Are you a bear, lion, wolf or dolphin? Discover your sleep chronotype, and learn small changes you can make to manage your life around your body’s natural sleep rhythms with this fun quiz
Tea and Book Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Flower and tea Photo by Carli Jeen on Unsplash
Photo of Bear by Daniele Levis Pelusi on Unsplash