When I was young, my grandmother used to make several cups of tea throughout the day. She made tea in the morning, at noon, and at night.
And if you wanted the best teas that make you sleepy, she always knew what to whip up.
I can still hear her stainless-steel teapot whistling over the stove. In fact, in the winter, she used to set the tea kettle on top of the fireplace to heat the water!
They were simple people, my grandparents. But most of what I’ve learned about tea was learned from my grandmother.
There Are a Million Teas in the World – So How Do You Pick the Best Teas That Make You Sleepy?
The key to finding the best tea is to try as many different types as possible.
But of course, that’s easier said than done. There are literally hundreds of options.
If you’re anything like me, you’re too busy to constantly try new types of tea on an almost daily basis.
Which is why we’ve gone to the liberty of putting this post together for you.
In this post, you’re going to learn about the 11 best teas that make you sleepy.
These are the best bedtime teas in the world. If you need some help falling asleep at night, and actually need a tea that will relax you—any one of these options will do the trick.
Pro Tip: Most of the items on this list are going to appear as ingredients on the tea label. For best results, find a good tea blend that blends some or all of these different ingredients together.
1. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea actually comes from a species of daisy-like plants in the Asteraceae family.
No, they are not exactly daisies. But they look very similar. And as it turns out, they make excellent tea!
Chamomile tea contains no caffeine, which makes it an excellent choice before bedtime.
It also helps to boost the immune system, soothes the stomach, relieves minor cold symptoms, and reduces stress.
If you’re looking for a gentle, tasty, herbal tea to help you get to sleep fast, chamomile is a first-stop choice.
2. Valerian Root Tea
Valerian root has been used all throughout history to promote better sleep and tranquility. That’s why it is often referred to by its nickname— “nature’s valium.”
The Valerian root itself is native to Asia and Europe, and was used for years as an ingredient in traditional herbal medicine.
It contains several compounds that are known to promote sleep, reduce anxiety, and help you to relax.
Valerian root tea is made from the roots and underground stems of the plant.
It has a woodsy taste and a distinctive odor that isn’t exactly ‘alluring,’ so you will usually find that Valerian teas contain other ingredients to make it taste better.
But it’s an excellent option if you need some help falling asleep.
3. Green Tea
Green tea is probably one of my favorites. There was one particular winter where my drink of choice every afternoon was a cup of green tea—though I drank it for the health benefits, not necessarily as a sleep aid.
Still, it did the trick. I found it tasty, relaxing, and calming.
Green tea is actually really interesting when you get down to the nuts and bolts (or leaves and stems) of it. It’s made from a plant called Camellia Sinensis, which is the same plant that black tea is made from.
The main difference between green tea and black tea is in how the plant is prepared.
Green tea is known as being healthier than black tea. It is believed to have anti-cancer benefits, and may help to lower cholesterol.
The only downside to green tea is that it does contain caffeine. For this reason, it isn’t always a good choice right before bed.
If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you may want to opt for something a little different.
4. Lavender Tea
Lavender tea may be the most popular sleep-aid tea in existence.
Lavender itself is actually a very powerful herbal remedy. It can be used to treat stomach issues, pain, headaches, sprains, sores, and even toothaches.
But it also helps you to relax, unwind, and sleep when consumed before bed.
Interestingly, lavender is an herb in the mint family. It grows brilliant purple flowers, and is believed to have served as an herbal remedy going back over 2500 years.
In ancient times, it was considered a ‘holy herb.’
Today, it is very popular as an essential oil.
But lavender tea is still one of the top sleep aid teas on the market—and for good reason.
It actually works really well.
5. Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass, also called ‘citronella,’ is a perennial type of grass that is native to tropical and sub-tropical climates with a lemony, citrusy aroma and flavor. The world’s largest producer of the herb is India—though it also grows in Asia, Australia, and Africa.
Used for years as a folk remedy to boost immunity, relieve pain, and promote sleep, it is a pretty common ingredient in many herbal tea blends. Though it is also featured in tea of its own as well.