Medicinal herbal tea: an ancient practice for modern day support
Our modern world rarely slows down and our nervous systems are often strained and fraught in keeping up. Longing for softness, quietness and rhythm which is increasingly difficult to find in our past paced world. Yet there are simple ancient practices we can do when we feel the stress and anxiety rise and bubble.
Medicinal herbal teas are an age old practice held and passed down by wise women across as medicine for many ills, from immune support to the nervous system they are more than a comforting ritual, these therapeutic herbal teas have been used for thousands of years as medicine for the mind, body, and spirit. Across cultures, herbal infusions were prescribed not only to calm distress or ease colds and fevers but to restore balance, regulate the nervous system and reconnect people to the slow natural rhythms. Today, both traditional wisdom and modern research support their role as a meaningful adjunct in stress and anxiety care.
A Brief History of Herbal Tea as Medicine
Herbal tea is one of humanity’s oldest forms of medicine. Pots of harvested herbs were being steeped over fire long before pills and our biochemical medical system. healing began with foraging a plant in relationship.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbal infusions were prescribed to regulate Shen (spirit), calm the heart, and nourish depleted Qi. Herbs such as jujube seed, chrysanthemum, and licorice were used to soothe agitation and emotional unrest.
In Ayurvedic medicine, teas were crafted according to constitutional type (dosha), with herbs like tulsi (holy basil), ashwagandha, and brahmi used to calm and open the mind while strengthening resilience to stress.
Across Europe, medieval herbalists relied on infusions of lemon balm, lavender, chamomile, and oat straw for “nervous disorders,” named then as melancholy, and hysteria. Monastic gardens were filled with calming herbs, and tea was considered an essential daily medicine and ritual.
Indigenous cultures worldwide also prepared plant infusions not only for physical symptoms, but for emotional and spiritual wellbeing, recognising that anxiety was often a sign of imbalance between the individual and their environment.
This ancestral understanding mirrors modern neurobiology that stress is not just psychological it is physiological.
How Stress and Anxiety Affect the Body
Stress and anxiety activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, increasing cortisol and adrenaline. When this response becomes chronic, it can lead to:
Nervous system dysregulation
Poor sleep and fatigue
Digestive disturbances
Hormonal imbalance
Mood changes and irritability
Medicinal herbal teas can work gently but effectively by modulating stress pathways, supporting neurotransmitter balance, and nourishing the nervous system rather than overriding it.
How Medicinal Herbal Teas Support Stress and Anxiety
Nervine Herbs Calm the Nervous System
Many therapeutic teas contain nervines which are herbs that directly support nervous system function. Unlike sedatives, nervines can calm without impairing cognition.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) has mild anxiolytic effects and supports GABA activity, helping reduce nervous tension.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is traditionally used for anxiety, restlessness, and stress-related digestive upset.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) supports sleep and reduces nervous over-stimulation and rumminating thoughts.
These herbs are particularly helpful for people who feel “wired but tired.”
Adaptogenic Teas Build Stress Resilience
Adaptogens help the body adapt to stress rather than simply suppress symptoms.
Tulsi (Holy Basil) is revered in Ayurveda for calming the mind while supporting adrenal health.
Ashwagandha (often combined into teas) helps regulate cortisol and improve stress tolerance.
Rhodiola may be used in low doses to improve mental stamina and emotional resilience.
Taken regularly, adaptogenic teas support long-term nervous system stability rather than short-term relief alone.
Teas Support the Gut–Brain Connection
The gut and brain communicate constantly via the vagus nerve, microbiota, and inflammatory pathways. Stress often manifests as digestive discomfort and digestive imbalance can worsen anxiety.
Herbal teas such as:
Peppermint
Fennel
Ginger
Chamomile
support digestion while simultaneously calming the nervous system, making them particularly effective for stress-related gut symptoms.
Ritual Itself Is Therapeutic
Beyond pharmacology the act of preparing and drinking tea is inherently regulating.
The warmth of the cup, the aroma of herbs and the pause required to sit and sip all activate the parasympathetic nervous system the body’s rest-and-digest state. This mirrors ancient practices where tea was consumed mindfully often in silence or ceremony.
In this way, herbal tea becomes both medicine and meditation.
Popular Medicinal Teas for Stress and Anxiety
Some of the most widely used therapeutic herbal teas include:
Chamomile – calming, gentle, supports sleep and digestion
Lemon Balm – uplifting yet soothing, helpful for anxious rumination
Lavender – aromatic anxiolytic, supports emotional balance
Oat Straw – deeply nourishing for depleted nervous systems
Rose – traditionally used for grief, emotional tension, and heart support
Blends are really beautiful to try as they allow synergy while reducing the risk of over-stimulation. There is something lovely about blending herbs for a tea.
Safety and Individualisation
While herbal teas are generally safe, they are still medicine. Individual factors such as pregnancy, medication use, allergies, hormone balance, and underlying conditions should always be considered. Make sure you consult a qualified herbalist if you are unsure!
A qualified herbalist or naturopath can tailor blends based on many symptoms including:
Stress patterns (acute vs chronic)
Sleep quality
Digestive health
Hormonal phase and life stage
This personalised approach reflects both traditional practice and modern evidence-based care.
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Relevance
Herbal teas remind us that healing does not require force sometimes it requires softening, nourishment, and patience, connecting in and taking the time to have a slow moment in our fast paced world.
Stress and overwhelm are signals fir us ti check in with ourselves and slow down and medicinal teas were one way of listening to that signal by gently guiding the body back into balance.
In modern life where stress is often normalised and suppressed returning to this simple practice can be profoundly therapeutic.
Herbal tea is not a cure-all but a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern nervous systems offering support that is accessible, effective, and deeply human.
If you are feeling overwhlemed, anxious or stressed and would like further support please don’t hesitate to contact me to make a booking or book a free 15 min discovery call.
In your best health xx