Tea comes in a variety of different flavors and includes some wonderful benefits. Depending on the ingredients of a tea, some find that they either feel extra energized after a cup of green tea or even sleepy after an evening cup of sleepy time tea.
While there are many physical benefits of drinking tea, we’ll be focusing on sleepy time tea, what it does for the body, and exactly what is in it to cause those effects.
So what is in sleeptime tea that makes it popular? Read on to find out!
What Is Sleepy Time Tea?
Sleepytime herbal teas are a popular type of tea that you can consume at night time to help the drinker relax and or fall asleep.
When it comes to learning how to make sleeptime tea, it isn’t all that different from other hot teas. In fact, the warm water used to make the popular Bedtime teas aid in the relaxing effect. So, do sleepy time teas work? Some say yes, others find it can energize them.
What it all comes down to is the ingredients and how they affect each person.
Sleepytime Tea Ingredient List: Common Items and Their Effect on the Body
It’s common sense that no two individuals are exactly alike, and that means no two people react to the same ingredients in the same ways.
Sleepytime tea ingredients come in a variety of different forms, from certain tea leaves to specific herbs and spices. Some prefer the warm spices, such as clove and cinnamon, in their evening cup of tea to relax.
Others specific ingredients used in sleepy time teas have similar effects on the body as melatonin supplements. But what is melatonin? A hormone produced by the body, melatonin is responsible for regulating sleep and wakefulness. People having trouble sleeping may then find a remedy by taking melatonin supplements available in the market.
Chamomile
The effects of sleepy time tea and melatonin share many similarities when described by users. Chamomile is one ingredient in these brands of teas that help to create a relaxing effect on the mind and body, similar to the effects of melatonin supplements.
Chamomile is a popular ingredient for bedtime teas because it contains chamazulene, which is proven to help relax the nervous system. It also contains apigenin, a mild sedative.
While these are promising effects, there isn’t enough scientific research that chamomile has a direct impact on sleeping patterns. However, it has been used for centuries to calm the mind and relax the body.
Lavender
Lavender is another popular ingredient in bedtime teas for some reasons. While lavender has a very pleasant scent to it, studies have shown that the actual scent of the plant promotes a more relaxed state than actually ingesting it.
While some find that it relaxes them enough to fall asleep, people more commonly use lavender to help calm anxiety and stress.
Passionflower
Passionflower is a lesser recognized ingredient that is found in sleepy time tea, but it is one that has shown to be more potent than lavender and even chamomile.
This plant is a vine often found in the southeastern parts of the United States, and in both Central and South America. Some common effects show that this ingredient can be helpful for those that suffer from sleep problems such as insomnia.
What’s more, it can be an aid for those that are plagued with anxiety, ADHD and those suffering from severe pain.
A study done in 2011 showed that consuming a low dose of passionflower in tea form actually yields subjective sleep benefits observed among healthy adults where their sleep quality has mild fluctuations over a short term period.
Valerian Root
Valerian root gets a bad rap because some find that it has a strong odor, one that many describe as similar to cat urine. While that is a slightly off-putting though, Valerian, much like Passionflower, has shown more promise as a sleep aid than other tea ingredients.
Valerian root is a plant that is often found throughout North America, Europe, and even Asia. Like some of the other mentioned ingredients, valerian is often used for not only sleep but anxiety as well. This is due to its calming effect on the mind and body.
Studies do show that this ingredient can be helpful for those that need a little help falling and staying asleep. However, we always recommended that you consult with their physician before trying anything new.
In most bedtime teas, valerian root is only one of many ingredients, so it isn’t very potent.
However, studies have shown that taking a valerian root supplement showed a greater chance of reporting improved sleep when compared to those taking a placebo.
While studies such as these show promise, it is important to note that many cite “methodologic problems,” which “limit the ability to draw firm conclusions” on whether valerian root is a viable sleep aid.
Top Sleepy Time and Bedtime Teas
While there are many brands of tea out there, there are two that seem to be most useful for those that are looking for either relaxation or aid in sleeping.
Bedtime Tea by Yogi Tea
This blend is by far one of the most popular blends on the market for bedtime teas. It includes all four of the top “sleep promoting” ingredients that were mentioned earlier.
- Passionflower Extract
- Valerian Root Extract
- Licorice Root
- Chamomile Flower
- Spearmint Leaf
- Skullcap Leaf
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon Bark
- Rose Hip
- Lavender Flower
- Stevia Leaf
- Natural and Organic Flavors
Sleepytime Classic Tea by Celestial Seasonings
This sleepy time blend is a classic amongst tea drinkers and has been around for over 40 years. It comes in not only the classic tea but also sleepytime extra, sleepytime lavender, sleepytime mint, and sleepytime honey. The base ingredients listed below are in all five blends. Though, each differs depending on flavors, such as honey or lavender.
While this blend is a favorite amongst tea enthusiasts, its lack of “sleepy time” ingredients, make it a lesser potent option for those seeking sleep aid.
- Chamomile
- Spearmint
- Lemongrass
- Tilia Flowers
- Blackberry Leaves
- Orange Blossoms
- Hawthorn
- Rosebuds
Is Sleepy Time Tea an Effective Sleep Aid?
Many tea enthusiasts believe that bedtime and sleepy time teas can aid in helping people fall asleep and stay asleep. However, there simply isn’t enough research to truly back it up.
Sure, many studies have shown that ingredients such as chamomile, lavender and valerian root can promote the feeling of being tired. But, it seems as if the effects are more closely linked to calming an individual enough to sleep, not making them fall asleep.
Either way, you will feel more relaxed as you get into the mode for slumber!
Chamomile sleep time teas and other variations look promising, but it is worth noting that some Sleepytime tea side effects can be troublesome to some, such as having an energizing effect instead of relaxing effect.
Are these teas affect sleep-aids? That is unclear. They can and do promote relaxation, so you can enjoy a cup of warm, calming, caffeine-free tea prior to sleeping.
What is your favorite sleepy time tea?
Share in the comments below!
[…] As well as being caffeine-free, natural and a calming activity in itself, sleepy time tea ingredients may actually have sleep-inducing properties. But what are these ingredients and does sleepy time tea actually work? […]