Best tea to help you relax and recover
Tea that helps the body relax is named (photo: Freepik)
After a stressful day, there is nothing better than a cup of aromatic tea that envelops you in calm and helps release your worries. We are talking about lemon balm tea, which not only tastes good but also promotes deep relaxation, reports Real Simple.
Benefits of lemon balm tea
Ukrainian nutritionist Marissa Karp says that lemon balm tea can naturally ease the nervous system and promote relaxation. This calming effect is provided by terpenes — natural compounds found in lemon balm leaves.
Lemon balm is rich in calming terpenes such as citral, linalool, caryophyllene, and geraniol. Each of these terpenes has unique properties that support the nervous system, thereby promoting relaxation. Citral and linalool are known to increase the activity of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain, helping to ease feelings of anxiety or nervousness.
Additionally, caryophyllene has a mild sedative effect and the ability to bind to receptors (i.e., signaling chemicals) that regulate the body's response to stress.
This terpene not only reduces anxiety but also provides a light, uplifting effect that can support mood and mental clarity.
Lemon balm is also rich in other bioactive compounds that work synergistically to promote calm, reduce anxiety, and improve mood.
One standout compound is rosmarinic acid — a powerful antioxidant that protects against oxidative stress by increasing GABA activity.
Moreover, lemon balm also contains flavonoids — a group of potent plant-based antioxidants that support the GABA and serotonin pathways, playing an important role in maintaining emotional balance and overall mental well-being.
Best time to drink tea
For optimal benefits, drink lemon balm tea about an hour before bedtime. This gives the body time to activate its calming effects without causing discomfort from drinking too close to sleep, which can lead to insomnia or trips to the bathroom.
Lemon balm tea also has a mild, gentle taste, making it easy to drink regularly.
Importantly, if you are taking sedatives or antidepressants, you should drink lemon balm tea with caution. The drink may enhance the effects of such medications, potentially increasing drowsiness.
Studies have shown that lemon balm tea may not be effective if you are taking thyroid hormones.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
