Can Tea Help Your Mental Health?

Carrying on the theme for Mental Health Awareness this month, I thought we could look at research into the benefits of tea on our state of mind. We are all aware that tea can comfort you when you need a pick me up; to some, it's like a warm cosy blanket wrapped around you, to others a moment to catch your breath, and to many, it’s a habitual thing to do when faced with a crisis - something to keep your mind busy.

No matter what it is for you, there are some teas that are scientifically proven to improve your mental state of being. Below we have delved into a few on your behalf, all of which are available on our teashop;

Camomile is well known for its calming effects. Coupled with its amazing ability to help you sleep, this has to be the number one go-to tea when you are feeling a little anxious.

Anyone who has ever suffered from Mental Health knows it can have a hugely detrimental effect on your sleep. You will also know that sleep is a vital part of recovery, no matter what you are trying to heal. So it goes hand in hand that the better quality of sleep you get the faster you start to feel better. Studies have shown that in people suffering from depression, after two weeks, camomile tea has helped improve sleep quality, reduced feelings of anxiety, and all-around improved their general well-being.

High blood pressure is a really common side effect of stress and can lead to a whole other heap of health issues if left untreated. Hibiscus has been found to reduce blood pressure if taken over a period of several weeks. What better way than by enjoying a BRUU rich in the super-ingredient!

Passionfruit has been proven to reduce anxiety and studies have found that after only a week of drinking passionfruit tea, the quality of sleep is greatly improved. Both results obviously would be useful for someone suffering from mental health problems.

Caffeine is known to increase blood pressure, and anxiety, and when it wears off, fatigue can rear its ugly head. That’s where Rooibos tea comes in. Rooibos is the ‘Red bush’ tea from South Africa, and importantly, it doesn’t contain caffeine. It does, however, contain heaps of antioxidants which have all kinds of health benefits. We have some totally tasty rooibos to chose from on our site, so have a browse and see if any of our blends take your fancy.

So the scientific effects of tea aside, what about the mindful aspect of tea?  With loose leaf tea, there is more preparation and presentation compared to an ordinary tea bag. What temperature does the water need to be? Which mug is best? How long does it need to BRUU for? All of the above can be a welcome distraction from whatever it is that is bothering you at any given time and is a ritual in parts of the east, who seem to be masters of mindfulness.

Failing everything, the Great British tea ceremony might be your thing, involving a pot of tea and a friend to share it with. As the old adage goes, a problem shared is a problem halved! Right, I feel the need to quieten my mind for a little while -time to get the kettle on.

Sophie xxx