Caroline Igo (she/she/she) is a CNET Wellness Editor and Certified Sleep Science Coach. She received her bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Miami and continues to improve her writing skills in her spare time. Prior to joining CNET, Caroline wrote for former CNN anchor Darin Kagan.

As someone who has struggled with anxiety for most of my life, I have never found a place in my morning routine for coffee or any other caffeinated drink. If you are a person with anxiety or stress, you should also avoid coffee. The caffeine in coffee can mimic anxiety symptoms, exacerbating any underlying anxiety.

Tea is my coffee substitute. Herbal and decaffeinated teas are great for my body to process and even relieve some of the symptoms. Now I drink a cup of tea in the morning and in the evening to deal with my anxiety and stress. You should too.
This curated list features the best brands and teas with scientifically proven ingredients to relieve stress and anxiety. I took into account customer reviews, price, ingredients and my own experience. This is the best tea for relieving anxiety and stress.
Tazo is one of the best tea brands on the market and one of my favorites. Not only does it produce premium caffeinated teas, but it also offers a large selection of decaffeinated and herbal teas.

Tazo’s Refresh Mint Tea is a blend of spearmint, spearmint and a touch of tarragon. Mint is a natural remedy for anxiety and stress. Preliminary research on peppermint, in particular, suggests that peppermint tea may also improve memory and improve sleep quality.
Buddha Tea is made using pure ingredients, unbleached tea bags, 100% recyclable and recyclable carton packaging, and no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or GMOs. Its organic passion fruit tea is also caffeine-free.
Passiflora is a powerful and natural sleep aid. Recent studies show that it can treat sleep disorders often associated with anxiety, such as insomnia. However, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor, as passionflower may not be right for you.
Ingredients: Ginger Root, Natural Lemon and Ginger Flavor, Blackberry Leaves, Linden, Lemon Peel and Lemongrass.
Twinings is a London-based tea company that has been supplying tea products for over 300 years. His premium teas are usually moderately priced. Twinings Lemon Ginger Tea is described as refreshing, warm and slightly spicy (thanks to the ginger).
Ginger root has many beneficial properties for the body. Ginger reduces anxiety. In one study, ginger extract appeared to treat anxiety as effectively as diazepam. It also acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and may even lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Ingredients: Organic Passionflower Extract, Organic Valerian Root Extract, Organic Licorice Root, Organic Chamomile Flowers, Organic Mint Leaves, Organic Skullcap Leaves, Organic Cardamom Pods, Organic Cinnamon Bark, Organic Rose Hips, Organic Lavender Flowers, Organic Stevia Leaves, and Organic Orange Flavor. . .

The Yogi brand will be the most expensive on this list. Yogi Tea is 100% health-based – meaning its teas are made for your health using only organic ingredients – and offer products for the cold season, immune support, detox, and sleep. Each tea is USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO, Vegan, Kosher, Free of Gluten, No Artificial Flavors or Sweeteners. His bedtime tea is also caffeine-free.
Best drunk an hour before bed, Yogi Bedtime Tea is based on natural sleep aids such as passionflower, valerian root, chamomile, peppermint, and cinnamon – cinnamon extract has been shown to increase melatonin levels.
This loose leaf lemon balm is natural, organic, and caffeine-free. The leaves come from the Republic of Serbia and are packaged in the USA. Please note that you will need a filter to brew this tea as these are not individual tea bags.
Lemon melissa is very similar to mint leaves, but with a lemon flavor and aroma. In addition to stress and anxiety, it is often used to relieve depression and sleep disturbances. Lemon Balm helps relieve depression and mood by boosting levels of GABA-T, a neurotransmitter that calms the body.
Also, this is the best deal – the package is a pound of lemon balm leaves. A packet can yield around 100+ cups of tea, depending on how many teaspoons of herbs you add to a cup of water.

Like Twining and Tazo, Bigelow is a major brand that has been making tea for over 75 years. Bigelow offers gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, and US-packaged teas. Chamomile comfort tea is also caffeine-free.
Not only is this tea known for its soothing properties, chamomile also supports a healthy digestive system. It’s an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and studies show it can help with diarrhea, nausea, and stomach ulcers.
Herbal teas are warming and soothing, and are often drunk while seated. In a randomized, double-blind study, tea was also shown to lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). Herbal teas also often contain ingredients such as chamomile, lemon balm, or peppermint, which have been linked to anxiety and stress relief.

One cup of brewed green tea contains about 28 mg of caffeine, while one cup of coffee contains 96 mg. Depending on how much caffeine your body can tolerate beyond lingering anxiety, that may be enough to exacerbate anxiety symptoms. However, some studies have shown that green tea can relieve stress and anxiety. Longer studies are needed to fully confirm this claim.
Mint, ginger, lemon balm, chamomile, and other teas on the list have been proven to help reduce anxiety. However, lemon balm in particular has been used to relieve symptoms of depression, and studies have shown promising results.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health care provider for any questions you may have about your health condition or health goals.