What Tea Will Help You Sleep

Have you been having trouble sleeping lately and wondering what tea will help you sleep? We’ve got just the right thing for you. In this guide, we’ll look into: 

  • What tea makes you sleepy?
  • Sleeping teas that help you relax.
  • How does camomile tea help you sleep?

What tea puts you to sleep?

While studies are surrounding the presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in valerian root and camomile to be relaxing ingredients in tea, the results are ultimately inconclusive. 

Ultimately, to find out what specific tea puts you to sleep, you want to try out and see what works for you. 

However, teas that are rich in antioxidants can help relax the body. On top of that, tea containing science-backed ingredients that aid in relaxation and improve digestion may also help you hit the hay easily. 

What type of tea helps you to sleep

In terms of what kind of tea helps you sleep at night, there is a wide variety of them. However, the common element is that these teas have relaxing effects on the body after drinking. Here are the different types of tea that will help you sleep. 

  1. Camomile tea

Camomile contains large amounts of an antioxidant known as apigenin. Apigenin binds to specific receptors in the brain that then reduce anxiety levels or induce sleep. 


This is why camomile is commonly regarded as anti-anxiety and an excellent sleep-inducing natural remedy. 

Interestingly, the studies surrounding the benefits of camomile are full of inconsistencies. This is in line with our previous recommendation that finding a tea that will help you sleep is more of a trial and error process. 

  1. Valerian root tea 

Valerian root has many forms. However, it is commonly dried and packaged in tea bags and is now a pretty popular herbal sleep-inducing tea. 

For centuries, valerian root has also been used to treat insomnia, nervousness, and anxiety, but its landmark use was during World War II. It was used to treat stress and anxiety caused by air raids. 

While the exact way how valerian induces sleep is still unknown, a theory suggests that because valerian root contains gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), it supplies GABA to the body, which then, in turn, relaxes it to be able to sleep. 

  1. Lavender tea

Lavender tea contains specific aromas and fragrances that help people relax and calm their nerves, which helps people sleep easily. 

Studies have also shown that smelling the aroma and scent present in lavender tea has helped people lower their heart rate, reduce anxiety levels, and sleep better and easier. 

  1. Passionflower tea 

Passionflower tea is tea made from dried passionflower. 

It is commonly used to reduce anxiety, primarily before surgery and is also used as a natural sedative. While little scientific evidence draws a direct correlation between passionflower tea and sleeping better, its calming benefits might help you relax and unwind before you go to sleep. 

What tea is good for sleep 

In choosing which tea is best for sleep, it is difficult to give a conclusive answer. Research surrounding the correlation between different types of teas and improved sleep has been inconclusive so far. 


This is because in answering the best tea to help you sleep, it is more of a personal answer. You have to try out different types of teas and see what works for you. 

However, try looking into popular tea types that help most people sleep such as camomile, lavender, lemon balm, and passionflower. 

Which tea is best for sleep 

The tea that is best for you is the tea that you find relaxing. The most popular teas used to induce sleep are also teas rich in antioxidants and have calming effects. 

These are usually camomile, which contains the compound apigenin that triggers a lower brain activity for better sleep. Lavender, scent helps calm down the nerves, valerian root, abundant in GABA, triggers lower brain activity, and passionflower, which is incredibly relaxing to ingest. 

What is the best herbal tea for sleep? 

Herbal teas contain herbs and spices that help reduce anxiety, soothe the digestive system, and unwind the body, thus, preparing it to sleep. Here is a list of the best herbal teas that you can try for a good night’s sleep. 

  1. Lavender 

Lavender is a particular type of herbal tea containing scents and fragrances that are relaxing and helps reduce anxiety. This is why lavender essential oils are known to have a calming effect when they are inhaled. 

  1. Passionflower 

Passionflower teas are made from beautiful exotic flowers and have been known to help regulate a regular sleeping pattern. They are also incredibly relaxing, which helps in unwinding the nerves down. 

What is in camomile tea that helps you sleep? 

Camomile tea and other forms, such as essential oil aromatherapy, are commonly used to treat insomnia, anxiety and are medically employed as mild sedatives. 

This is because camomile is incredibly relaxing, which is why it helps in making you feel sleepy. 

The scientific answer lies in its chemical structure. Camomile is exceptionally abundant in the naturally occurring compound that is apigenin. 

Apigenin has been found to have potential in treating major global health diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and even insomnia. 

This is because apigenin binds with the GABA receptors in the brain, which leads to lower neural activity, which has been established to be a great way to put someone to sleep. 

Scientifically speaking, there have been studies that have concluded that chamomile does reduce sleep problems, thus, improving the quality of sleep that a person can get. 

If you want to learn more about bedtime teas, this video from Beyond the Bag contains insightful information.