12 Best Teas to Help You Relax

Stressful days call for a moment to slow down, and a warm cup of the right herbal tea can genuinely help. Here are 12 of the best teas for relaxation and what makes each one calming.

The 12 Best Teas to Help You Relax

1. Linden Tea

Linden has calming properties that may help with everyday nervousness and mild indigestion linked to stress. Mixing it with chamomile can enhance its soothing, digestive effect.

2. Turmeric Tea

Curcumin, turmeric's active compound, is associated with lower stress-hormone levels and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties. Some research suggests it may support mood, though it's not a substitute for treatment of clinical depression or anxiety.

3. Damiana Leaf Tea

Traditionally used to lift mood and ease a heavy heart, damiana leaf tea is a gentle option for calming everyday anxious feelings.

4. St. John's Wort Tea

St. John's Wort has a long history of use for mild low mood, but it's one of the riskiest herbs on this list to combine with medication: it can weaken the effect of birth control pills, blood thinners like warfarin, and many other prescription drugs, and combining it with certain antidepressants can raise the risk of serotonin syndrome (NCCIH: St. John's Wort). Check with your doctor before using it, especially if you take any regular medication.

5. Licorice Root Tea

Some research links licorice root to lower stress hormone levels and reduced tension headaches. Licorice can raise blood pressure with heavy, regular use, so keep intake moderate and avoid it if you have hypertension.

6. Passionflower Tea

Used for centuries as a natural, gentle relaxer, passionflower tea may help ease everyday tension and support a positive mood at any time of day.

7. Lavender Tea

Lavender's calming aroma comes from linalool, a compound associated with reduced anxiety and improved mood, and it's also a popular choice for easing tension before sleep.

8. Valerian Root Tea

Valerian is widely used as a sedative, though clinical trial results for improving sleep have been inconsistent (NCCIH: Valerian). Avoid it before driving or operating machinery, since it can cause drowsiness, and don't combine it with other sedatives, alcohol, or during pregnancy without medical advice.

9. Rosemary Tea

Beyond its cognitive benefits, rosemary tea may help relieve nervous tension and support mental clarity.

10. Lemon Balm Tea

A member of the mint family, lemon balm is associated with reduced stress and anxiety, and it doubles as a gentle digestive aid.

11. Green Tea

Green tea's L-theanine content is linked to lower everyday stress in some studies. Since it also contains caffeine, it's better suited to daytime relaxation than an evening wind-down.

12. Lemongrass Tea

Lemongrass is traditionally used as a calming herb, and animal studies point to a possible anxiety-easing effect, but clinical studies in people haven't confirmed that lemongrass tea lowers anxiety (Memorial Sloan Kettering, About Herbs: Lemongrass). It's still a pleasant, bright, citrusy tea — just don't count on it for anxiety relief. Avoid it if you're pregnant, since animal studies link its compounds to birth defects.

Building a Relaxation Tea Ritual

Tea alone won't resolve chronic stress or anxiety, but pairing a calming cup with a consistent routine — regular exercise, good sleep habits and time away from screens — can make a real difference. If sleep is your main goal, see our dedicated guide on teas that help you sleep.

Side Effects and Precautions

• Herb interactions: St. John's Wort in particular interacts with many prescription medications — it can weaken birth control and blood thinners, and raise the risk of serotonin syndrome with certain antidepressants.
• Pregnancy: lemongrass should be avoided in pregnancy (animal studies link it to birth defects), and licorice and several other herbs on this list aren't well studied in pregnancy either — check with your doctor first.
• Blood pressure: licorice root can raise blood pressure with regular heavy use; avoid it if you have hypertension.
• Drowsiness: valerian can cause drowsiness, so avoid driving or operating machinery shortly after drinking it.

FAQ

What is the single best tea for relaxation?

Chamomile and valerian are among the most studied options for relaxation and sleep, but the "best" tea often comes down to personal taste and tolerance.

Can I drink relaxing tea every day?

Most of these teas are fine for daily use in moderation, but rotate them and watch for any herb-specific interactions, especially if you take medication.

Does green tea help you relax if it has caffeine?

Yes — the L-theanine in green tea can promote calm focus even alongside its caffeine content, which is why some people find it relaxing rather than energizing.

The Bottom Line

From lavender to valerian, these 12 teas offer a natural, low-risk way to unwind during a stressful day. Check with your doctor before relying on any herbal tea if you're pregnant, on medication, or managing a chronic health condition.