You can’t beat a cup of tea to keep you going throughout the day or to help you relax and unwind after a busy day at work.
The process of making yourself a tea is somewhat relaxing, especially if you’re using loose leaf tea, and have to wait for it to brew until it’s just how you like it.
Meanwhile, certain tea blends have been developed to help us get to bed and also potentially help improve the quality of our bedtime slumber.
If searching for teas to help you relax and rest is what brought you here, then stay on this page.
With the help of our customers, we’ve shared some of the best tea blends, which have been tried and highly-rated.
In this article, we will cover
- How can tea help you relax?
- The best tea for relaxation
- 8 of the best bedtime teas
How can tea help you relax?
Most of us know about the trick of drinking a warm milky drink before bed to help us nod off, but what about tea? Is it possible that it can help in the relaxation sleep stakes too?
As we all know, normal black tea contains caffeine, which is a stimulant that’s also found in coffee. Because of its stimulating properties, caffeine isn’t something we’re advised to consume before we go to bed.
This is due to the fact it can stimulate our brain and make us more alert, which is the last thing we want to be when we’re trying to wind down.1
However, tea doesn’t contain as much caffeine as coffee does. There’s reportedly 11mg per 100g of caffeine in tea. In comparison, coffee contains 40mg per 100g, which is a bit of a difference.
What’s more, tea also happens to contain an amino acid called theanine, which can help us sleep better.
It’s also been linked to boosting our cognitive abilities, e.g. memory and concentration levels, too.2
Different levels of l-theanine can be found in different tea, with green tea containing the highest levels of it.
Overall, the combination of caffeine and l-theanine working together can make us feel more relaxed, as well as the process of enjoying a nice hot cup of tea, can have an effect on our mind and body.
Summary
- Black tea contains lower levels of caffeine than coffee – 29mg less per 100g, making it less of a stimulant
- It also contains the amino acid, l-theanine, which has been found can help us relax better
- Green tea contains the most l-theanine

The best teas for relaxation
So we’ve explained the connection between black tea and relaxation, but there’s also the world of herbal teas to focus on too.
The good news is, lots of herbal teas have been connected, and proven, to help us ease into our bedtime routine.
We’ve listed five of them below:
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Green tea
As we mentioned up above, green tea contains plenty of l-theanine, which can help give its sleep-inducing effects. This is down to the fact it works by encouraging our brains to switch off and relax.3
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Chamomile tea
Chamomile is widely reported to help with relaxation and sleep. A review of research published in 2019 concluded that chamomile can significantly improve sleep quality.4
As for why chamomile may help with sleep and relaxation, it contains an antioxidant called apigenin, that binds to receptors within your brain that are responsible for making us feel sleepy.
Because of this, it’s renowned for being a mild tranquiliser, which has been researched extensively.5,6
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Peppermint tea
Peppermint is naturally caffeine-free, making it a popular drink for relaxation.
In addition to this, research has found it also has muscle relaxing properties, which may help with relaxation before bedtime.7
However, evidence of peppermint tea’s ability to help with sleep is extremely limited.8
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Valerian root tea
Valerian root, a herb that’s native to Asia and Europe, contains gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), one of the main neurotransmitters responsible for regulating our sleep. Research has found that increasing our GABA levels can have a sedative effect on our body.9
Summary
- Numerous herbal teas have been linked to helping promote relaxation. They include green, chamomile, peppermint, valerian root and rooibos tea
- Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free, while valerian roots contain a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating sleep
- Peppermint tea may help with muscle relaxation, while chamomile tea has been found to improve sleep quality
8 of the best bedtime teas – tried & rated
Read on to find out more about our favourite bedtime teas...
Night Time tea is a unique blend of herbs, including oat flower, lavender and lime flower, to help you unwind.
How to drink it: Enjoy in the evening to prepare you for a deep, restful night, and a more refreshed awakening.
Customer rating: 4.7 stars
Customer reviews
‘I love this tea, perfect night time relaxer. Big fan’ – Sunflower28
‘Love these. Simply have one before bed and feel relaxed and well on the way to the land of nod.’ – Delebabes
This tea blend combines silky golden chamomile, exotic vanilla pod and the golden balm of Manuka honey to create a drink to help you relax.
How to drink it: Infuse in freshly-boiled water for up to 15 minutes.
Customer rating: 4.2 stars
Customer reviews
‘Lovely aroma and combination of flavours. Very relaxing’ – Sneha S
‘Perfect before bed, gives a nice relaxing feeling. There’s no strong herbal taste, just perfectly warming gentle vanilla/honey fragrance on top of the mild chamomile.’- Tuuu
Yogi Tea Bedtime Tea combines valerian and organic chamomile, as well as passionflower, liquorice, cardamom and cinnamon to create a delicious, warming flavour that's just right for drinking before bedtime.
How to drink it: Bring water to boiling and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. For a stronger tea, use two tea bags. Drink before bedtime.
Customer rating: 4.7 stars
Customer reviews
‘This tea is SO relaxing – I cannot believe I lived without it!’ - Alice
'Gentle and pleasant herbal flavour makes this tea perfect for bedtime.' – AnnaL
Hatters Hemp Tea Chamomile Tea has been developed to help you relax while helping gently transition into bedtime.
It contains a combination of whole leaf and CBD rich hemp, making it a perfect pre-bedtime drink.
How to drink it: Brew one tea bag in freshly-boiled water for 3 to 5 minutes depending on taste preference. To sweeten, try adding agave nectar or honey. Drink in combination with a meal containing natural fats for better CBD absorption.
Customer rating: 4.3 stars
Customer reviews
'I’m a real chamomile tea lover and this is so good, plus I was curious about CBD. For me, this is the perfect way to combine the two!' – Rachel2222
Clipper Sleep Easy Organic Tea is a refreshing and distinctive infusion with cinnamon, chamomile, valerian and other natural herbs enhanced with natural orange flavouring.
Naturally caffeine-free, it contains natural herbal ingredients that can help your sleep and relaxation in conjunction with a balanced, varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.
How to drink it: Brew one tea bag in freshly-boiled water for 3 to 5 minutes.
Customer rating: 4.8 stars
Customer reviews
'Really great tea before bed time, buying this one all the time for many years.' - Crystalline
'This is one of my favourite teas when it comes to relaxing drinks. The taste is delicate and the smell will definitely relax you.' - ShiClaw
This deliciously smooth and serene blend, combining camomile, passionflowers, apple, and vanilla flavourings is smooth and warming, making it the perfect part of your bedtime routine.
Take your last sip and sink your head into a soft pillow.
How to drink it: Use freshly-boiled water and infuse the bag for at least 3 minutes. Give the teabag a stir and a gentle squeeze to release the flavour before removing it.
Customer rating: 4.7 stars
Customer reviews
'A very relaxing and delicious tea which helps me drift off into the land of slumber.' – Laura_26X
'The aroma and flavor blend is superb. This is one of the best iterations of vanilla-based teas. It has a very sweet (no need to add sugar at all even if you have a sweet tooth) and warm feel to it, making it very pleasant to sip before bed. + Awesome flavour + Sweet and Warm with a delicate Fruity notes + Calming aroma and great for the evening' – Joii99
A deliciously light blend with floral orange flavours that is smooth and serene. The orange blossom provides a gentle sweetness that complements the subtle fragrant lavender.
How to drink it: Use freshly-boiled water and infuse the bag for at least 3 minutes. Give the teabag a stir and a gentle squeeze to release the flavour before removing it.
Customer rating: 4.7 stars
Customer reviews
'Tasty and relaxing, a great tea to have at bedtime.’- Sarah Jane
This is a smooth, delicate, lightly spiced blend with a lovely hint of sweetness. The chicory root brings a gorgeous, roasted flavour and a touch of indulgence.
How to drink it: Use freshly-boiled water and infuse the bag for at least 3 minutes. Give the teabag a stir and a gentle squeeze to release the flavour before removing it.
Customer rating: 4.7 stars
Customer reviews
‘This camomile blend has lovely flavours that are not too overpowering’ - Sylv21
'The aroma of this tea is so magnificent; it tastes so delicious. It's my favourite bedtime tea.' – Jade 8
Best bedtime teas
A final few words about bedtime tea
Next time you need some help with sleep and relaxation, you may want to reach out for one of the bedtime tea blends above, which have been tried-and-tested and highly recommended by plenty of our customers.
Bear in mind that what works for one person, may not work for another. But with so many different sleep/relaxation teas to choose from, we’re sure you’ll find something that you love the taste of and will help you with your bedtime routines.
Enjoy trying all of the different blends and best of luck with finding the best tea for you.
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Last updated: 25 March 2022
- https://www.terrycralle.com/why-does-tea-make-me-sleepy/
- https://www.aging-us.com/article/102023/text
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24051231/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31006899/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16767798/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17913072/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24022885/