Herbal Teas to Relax You

There are a variety of herbal teas available on the market, but not all are effective at relieving anxiety and promoting relaxation. Three of the best herbal teas to relax you are Chamomile, St. John's Wort and Valerian tea. As with any herbal products, be aware that herbs can be very potent and interact with any medications you may be currently taking. If you are on medication, get approval from your physician before ingesting any herbal products.

Chamomile Tea

• Chamomile tea is one of the most popular teas used for relaxation purposes. It is an herb that has been used for thousands of years as a treatment for intestinal disorders, as well as for relief of general anxiety. Although the "National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine" reports that chamomile is used as a treatment for anxiety, it also states that research with human subjects is limited, as most studies confirming chamomile's effectiveness have been performed with animals. In the meantime, there are still many that claim that chamomile tea is effective in treating anxiety, including a news brief from "PsychCentral," which states that chamomile tea helps treat those with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder, and especially those who do not view their condition as a mental illness and would not seek help any other way. Chamomile tea can be an effective way to relax the body and mind, and it can be found in most health food stores and pharmacies.

St. John's Wort Tea

• St. John's Wort is an herb that is commonly used to treat depressive disorders. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, St. John's Wort is found to be just as effective as prescription antidepressants in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. St. John's Wort works like these antidepressants by blocking the uptake of serotonin, which leaves more of it available for use in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that, according to the Mayo Clinic, directly affects mood, and an increase in available serotonin helps relieve anxiety, allowing you to relax. Like Chamomile tea, St. John's Wort is also available as a tea at pharmacies and health food centers.

Valerian Tea

• Valerian is another herb that has been used for centuries, and some of its benefits include being a treatment for insomnia, intestinal trouble, sweating, fear and anxiety. The December 28, 2009 issue of "Phytomedicine" reports that when treated with an extract of valerian, rats showed significant reduction in anxiety type behavior. The article's authors, led by K. Murphy, from the Department of Psychology at Eastern Oregon University, go on to state that Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) should be considered as an alternative to anti-anxiety drugs. Valerian is also reported by the American Academy of Family Physicians as an agent to help relax those suffering with insomnia, thereby inducing sleep. Valerian tea can be found in health food stores and pharmacies, along with the others listed above.