Nowadays, some people advocate drinking tea to treat insomnia, believing that tea is a healthy wellness product that can improve eyesight, aid weight loss, act as a diuretic, lower blood pressure, and reduce fat, while also helping with insomnia. However, tea contains caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system, helping to boost energy, enhance thinking, relieve fatigue, and improve work efficiency—making it counterproductive for insomnia sufferers.

Insomnia Patients Should Be Cautious When Drinking Tea

1. The caffeine and polyphenols in tea have the greatest impact on brain nerves. When tea is steeped for about 2 minutes, approximately 70%-80% of the caffeine dissolves into the water, giving the tea a noticeable energizing effect. After that, the polyphenols in the tea gradually dissolve, counteracting the effects of caffeine and reducing the stimulating effect. Therefore, when drinking tea at night, simply discard the first brew after about 2 minutes and steep the tea again with hot water to minimize the stimulating effect.

2. People who are easily agitated, sensitive, have poor sleep quality, or are physically weak should avoid drinking tea at night or consume it in moderation. Additionally, when drinking tea at night, use less tea leaves and avoid making it too strong. The best time to drink tea is after dinner, as drinking tea on an empty stomach can harm the body, especially for those who rarely drink tea, by inhibiting gastric acid secretion, hindering digestion, and potentially causing palpitations or headaches—known as "tea drunkenness."

Which Teas Won’t Cause Insomnia?

1. Arborvitae Seed (Bai Zi Ren)

With a neutral and sweet taste, it enters the heart, kidney, and large intestine meridians, nourishing the heart and calming the mind while promoting bowel movements. It is suitable for insomnia patients with symptoms such as dizziness, pale complexion, pale lips and nails, palpitations, night sweats, and constipation due to insufficient blood nourishing the heart.

Usage: Take 5 grams of arborvitae seed, boil it in water, and consume it all at once before bedtime.

2. Lotus Root Tea

Mix a bowl of lotus root powder with a bowl of water in a pot, stirring continuously until well blended. Add an appropriate amount of rock sugar and drink it as tea to nourish the heart and calm the mind.

3. Jujube Seed (Suan Zao Ren) Tea

Jujube seeds have a sweet and neutral nature, calming the mind and stopping sweating. They nourish heart yin, benefit liver blood, and treat insomnia. Often boiled with poria and anemarrhena, they can also be ground and taken alone—2 grams before bedtime.

4. Fleeceflower Stem (Shou Wu Teng) Tea

Fleeceflower stems have a sweet and neutral nature, calming the mind and promoting circulation. Boil 20 grams of fleeceflower stem with 3 red dates and drink it 1 hour after lunch and dinner for several days.

5. Linden Leaves + Lily Flowers + Chamomile + Lavender

Linden leaves are particularly effective for calming the mind and improving sleep, making them ideal for those who struggle to fall asleep. The addition of lavender provides a soothing and refreshing aroma, easing anxiety and relieving tension headaches, while chamomile and lily flowers strengthen the nervous system, inducing tranquility and calmness. This herbal blend combines flowers and leaves perfectly, creating a natural and serene atmosphere when steeped. Even when sipped at night, it won’t disrupt sleep. The gentle, comforting sensation it provides is like listening to a soft serenade under the moonlight, helping you forget daily worries and allowing your body and mind to rest fully, ready to greet the next sunrise.