11 Outstanding Herbal Teas That May Help You Sleep Better

Creating an evening routine with herbal tea for sleep helps you relax and decompress, naturally.

If you struggle to sleep at night after having tea, you might be drinking the wrong kind of tea. Tea can be relaxing for some people, but not all teas help you ease into sleep — especially if you are sensitive to caffeine. 

Most real teas — like black, oolong, white, and green — all have caffeine. Even decaffeinated versions of these teas can leave trace amounts of caffeine. This means they might keep you awake if you are caffeine sensitive.

In today’s blog, you’ll discover how caffeine works and the difference between decaffeinated and caffeine-free teas. You’ll also find 11 of our favorite caffeine-free herbal teas for sleep. They will help you ease into a more relaxed state of mind so you can wake up refreshed and ready for the day ahead.

How Does Caffeine Work?

Caffeine has a half-life of about 5 hours. This means half the caffeine from your drink remains in your system about 5 hours after you drink it. 

If you have sensitivities to caffeine, it’s important to be aware of this fact. If you are sensitive, our advice is to stick to only herbal tea for sleep once the afternoon hits.

No matter who you are, you might find yourself ‘crashing’ shortly after drinking your afternoon coffee. How exactly does caffeine work in this case?

Caffeine blocks the molecules that make you sleepy. This temporarily makes you feel more alert. But after the caffeine starts to leave your body, you may feel sleepier than before. 

This is because the sleepy molecules you were holding back build up and move through your system at a higher level. This makes you feel very tired, and you experience a caffeine crash that is the signature of coffee and energy drinks.

Tea has caffeine, but it’s balanced with an amino acid called L-theanine. When you drink tea, you experience a caffeine boost, but no caffeine crash. L-theanine has a calming element that promotes relaxation, so you feel a steady supply of energy without the crash.

Herbal tea for sleep has no caffeine at all. Tea made from leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant — which includes black, oolong, white, and green tea — all have different levels of caffeine. But what about the decaffeinated versions of these same teas?

Does Decaf Tea Have Caffeine?

Your nighttime tea routine should be unique and address your specific needs. You might not be able to drink caffeinated beverages before bed. You might even find that you can’t drink caffeine after a certain time of day because it will keep you awake all night.

If caffeine drastically affects your energy levels, you’ll want to stick with herbal tea for sleep — stay away from black, green, white, and oolong teas that haven’t been decaffeinated. If you’re extremely sensitive, you might also want to stay away from decaffeinated teas altogether. 

Did you know decaffeinated teas have small amounts of caffeine? — Yes, decaffeinated tea still has caffeine.

All true teas contain caffeine. Most of these caffeine molecules can be removed using one of four decaffeination processes. These methods range from using chemicals to using water to release and discard the caffeine. 

The caffeine level in a cup of black tea — which on average has about 47 grams of caffeine — is reduced to about 2 grams. But, it still isn’t completely caffeine-free. 

You may find that your favorite decaffeinated tea helps relax and calm you before bed. Or you may find that you stay awake after drinking decaffeinated teas. If you are still having trouble falling asleep, consider switching to strictly herbal teas.

11 Delicious Caffeine-Free Herbal Teas For Sleep

Caffeine-free teas are naturally caffeine-free — but they aren’t technically tea. True teas grow from the same caffeine-rich Camellia sinensis plant, so they are never completely caffeine-free. Herbal tea is not tea because it doesn’t come from this plant.

Herbal teas — or tisanes — are mixtures of herbs, spices, bark, flowers, and other natural ingredients steeped in hot water to create a natural caffeine-free beverage. Tisanes have a wide variety of flavors and are the perfect complement to your nighttime tea routine. Here are 11 amazing herbal teas for sleep that you may want to try.

1. Chamomile Citrus Petals

Chamomile Citrus Petals Tea Canister - $16.95

Nothing says “sleepy” like chamomile, and this organic chamomile loose tea is a delight for the senses. Aside from chamomile, it’s full of calming and relaxing herbs like lemongrass and lemon verbena. Sweet tones of licorice root are balanced with the zestiness of hibiscus and floral citrus rosehips.

2. Raspberry Hibiscus Bloom

Raspberry Hibiscus Bloom Tea Canister - $16.95

If you are a fan of tart and tangy, you’ll love this raspberry hibiscus loose-leaf tea. This fruity blend combines the juicy flavors of raspberries, orange peel, blackberry leaves, and apple pieces with hibiscus, rosehip, and licorice root. The taste is comforting and soothing, and the color is a deep, beautiful ruby red.

3. Ruby Spice Chai

Ruby Spice Chai Tea Canister - $16.95

If you love all of the flavors of chai but you want to stay away from the effects of caffeine, this spice chai tea will be your new favorite herbal tea for sleep. This naturally caffeine-free chai is a sophisticated blend of ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, and lemongrass that you can drink plain or with milk and sugar. 

4. Sahara Apple Spice

Sahara Apple Spice Tea Canister - $16.95

Berries, apples, and warm full-bodied spices come together to make this smooth and healthy apple spice tea. Made from the herbal rooibos “red bush” tea of South Africa, this soothing blend is also filled with beneficial antioxidants and can be enjoyed hot or iced.

5. Lemon Mint Chamomile

Lemon Mint Chamomile Tea Canister - $16.95

Chamomile blossoms have a subtle apple-like taste and are widely known for their holistic calming and sleep-inducing effects. The sweetness of chamomile is delicately balanced with lemony citrus and lavender flowers in this chamomile mint tea. The peppermint aroma and flavor of this herbal tea for sleep are pronounced and refreshing.

6. Fireside Warmth

Fireside Warmth Tea Canister - $16.95

This light and spiced blend is a fruity creation with warm cinnamon, vanilla, and almond. Its bright flavors are reminiscent of a crackling fireplace and can be enjoyed any time of the day. Fireside warmth is an orange spice tea that will blanket you in a sense of calm and peace of mind.

7. Nocturne Calm

Nocturne Calm Tea Canister - $17.95

This calming tea for sleep is made from a beautiful blend of ingredients made to soothe and relax. Cleanse your mind with sleep-friendly herbs in flavors of lush apples, citrus, and a touch of sweetness. Nocturne Calm is the perfect tea for your nighttime routine.

8. Chocolate Mint

Chocolate Mint Tea Canister - $17.95

The decadence of cocoa husks is blended with peppermint leaves for a familiar dessert-like flavor without any of the guilt. If you’re a chocoholic, this chocolate and mint tea will be your new go-to herbal tea for sleep. Treat yourself to a refreshing and rich herbal blend that satiates your chocolate cravings.

9. Peach Bouquet

Peach Bouquet Tea Canister - $17.95

This caffeine-free herbal peach tea is made with a gorgeous medley of fruit and botanicals. The peachy and fruity flavors are reminiscent of a summer’s day. Caramel notes from roasted chicory root add a deep flavor you’ll enjoy both hot and iced.

10. Almond Apple Harvest

Almond Apple Harvest Tea Canister - $16.95

This balanced almond and apple cinnamon tea has a vibrant color and flavor that tastes like autumn in a cup. Chunks of apple, rosehips, and beetroot blend with a touch of cinnamon and roasted almonds. Add a drip of honey for a bit of sweetness.

11. Digestive Comfort

Digestive Comfort Tea Canister - $17.95

Sometimes your tummy needs a little boost of healthy herbs and spices to calm and soothe you before bed. Digestive Comfort is an herbal tea for digestion that doubles as a wonderful herbal tea for sleep. It’s a therapeutic recipe that helps alleviate discomfort with medicinal ingredients sourced from premium gardens.

How to Create a Bedtime Tea Routine

Caffeine-free teas aren’t magical sleep-inducing elixirs. But an herbal tea for sleep is one component that may help you fall asleep faster. 

The most important element to getting a good night's sleep is establishing a healthy nighttime routine. The proper tools make your routine effortless. Making it easy is the key to a healthy and successful routine.

You don’t need to take out your teapot and all of the saucers, cups, and trinkets. For your nighttime tea routine, you want to steep tea with as little effort and fuss as possible. 

Make a single soothing cup of tea with a steeping mug. And with this teaware design, keeping your mug set clean is equally as effortless.

Artificial light can drastically disrupt your sleep. Turn off electronic screens about one hour before bed. Dim the lights in your home as much as possible so your brain starts to register that it’s getting dark and it’s almost time for bed. 

With the lights dimmed and a warm cup of herbal tea for sleep in hand, you can play soothing music or find a quiet space in your home. Sometimes, having a designated calm corner and a consistent nightly routine can help train your body and mind to get into “sleep mode” faster.

Feel the warm cup in your hands. Try to focus on this single moment and enjoy every subtle flavor of your delicious tea before you crawl into bed. Wrap yourself in your blanket and fall asleep.

Find Your Favorite Herbal Teas For Sleep at Teabloom

The tea industry is a big world full of so many tea options —You want to be sure that the tea you choose will be one you’ll love. You can find exactly what you want for your new bedtime tea routine at Teabloom.

They are on a mission to clean up the tea industry one borosilicate teacup at a time. They have the largest selection of healthy and handcrafted borosilicate glass teaware. Teabloom also has a large range of certified kosher and USDA-certified organic teas.

Start your new, calm, and relaxing bedtime tea routine today. Visit Teabloom and find your new favorite herbal tea for sleep.

www.Teabloom.com