Sedatives are drugs that calm the body and mind by reducing the excitability or irritability of the nervous system. They are commonly beneficial for individuals who suffer from stress, anxiety and insomnia. Unfortunately, the intake of sedatives can come with profound side effects. Fortunately, there are a number of herbal teas that work just as excellently as sedatives, but a lot milder — so they are less likely to cause terrifying side effects.
Lethargy, poor judgment, slurred speech, slow reflexes and unsteady gait are just a few of the side effects of sedatives that are available at pharmacies. Clearly, they are something that you should refrain from popping in your mouth if you are about to drive a car or use a machine — it will only endanger you as well as everybody around you!
So what if you are feeling stressed or anxious in the middle of the day and you want to enjoy the benefits that are offered by sedatives but without leaving you sleepy? Well, you can always count on herbal teas that are proven to have mild sedating properties. They can calm your body and mind but without leaving you practically unable to function physically and mentally. Here are some of those relaxing herbal teas that you may try taking:
Passionflower Tea
Herbal experts say that passionflower tea works just as well as prescription-strength sedatives, but with fewer side effects. This herbal tea is very potent that it is usually considered as a medicinal tea rather than an herbal tea. Needless to say, it’s a good idea to take passionflower tea under the direct supervision of an experienced herbalist.
Ashwagandha Tea
One of the most recommended Ayurvedic remedy for stress, anxiety and insomnia is the intake of ashwagandha tea. That’s because it is an adaptogen that helps the body react to stress more efficiently, and it also has superb calming properties. Aside from tea, ashwagandha also comes in tincture and capsule forms.
St. John’s Wort Tea
Another very effective sedating herbal drink is St. John’s wort tea. Many swear that a cup of it is powerful enough to soothe stress and anxiety. Actually, St. John’s wort tea is a very popular all-natural remedy for depression, but individuals who lead very busy lives can also take advantage of it for lowering stress and anxiety levels.
Chamomile Tea
Intimidated by the fact that the above mentioned herbal teas are so powerful? If you are on the hunt for an herbal tea with really mild sedating abilities, then brew yourself a cup of chamomile tea. It’s so mild that you may take it even in the middle of the day. Of course it can also come in handy at night when you need to catch some shut-eye.
Lavender Tea
Another very mild alternative to passionflower tea, ashwagandha tea and St. John’s wort tea is lavender tea. The intake of it is especially beneficial if you are feeling stressed out or there are tons of anxious thoughts going in and out of your mind. And just like chamomile tea, a cup of lavender tea is a wonderful solution for insomnia.
Lemon Balm Tea
You may have a cup of lemon balm tea when you are stressed at 10 in the morning, or feeling anxious at 10 in the evening. In other words, the sedating properties of lemon balm tea is so gentle that it may be taken at any given time or day. By the way, this particular herbal tea is also known to help lift the mood.
CAUTION: Herbal teas are not meant to replace sedatives that a doctor prescribes. If you are planning on consuming any herbal tea for therapeutic purposes, it’s a good idea to let your doctor know about it first. This is especially true if you are pregnant or diagnosed with a medical condition and currently taking drugs for it.
Kindly share this article on your different social media accounts to let your family and friends know that it’s possible to calm their bodies and minds with the help of certain herbal teas that double as sedatives, but a lot milder.
