The Calming Powers of Tea

They say there’s nothing a good cup of tea can’t solve and there’s a lot of truth in that. For thousands of years, tea has helped people through tough days, to relax and reinvigorate. In many cultures, tea is used as a gateway to contemplation and meditation. 

We now know, thanks to modern scientific research, that there’s a good reason why tea has such a calming, stress-reducing effect and that’s because tea (that has been made from leaves of the camellia sinensis plant) contains l-theanine, a beneficial compound that helps to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation and wellbeing.

What is l-theanine?

L-theanine is an amino acid that is almost uniquely found in tea leaves (as well as certain types of mushrooms). It was first identified by Japanese scientists in 1949 and is found in green, black tea,  pu-erh, white and oolong teas.

L-theanine promotes relaxation in a number of ways: it can boost levels of calming brain chemicals like GABA, serotonin and dopamine; it helps to lower levels of ‘excitatory’ brain chemicals like glutamate and lowers cortisol, a primary stress hormone.

In addition to its stress-reducing effects, l-theanine can help trigger the release of alpha waves in the brain which enhances ‘wakeful relaxation’, and improves focus without making you feel drowsy.  It works particularly well when combined with caffeine in a cup of tea by increasing alertness. It also counteracts the release of caffeine, so you get a more sustained energy boost,  without the ‘caffeine crash that coffee can cause.

Tea and mindfulness

The very way we prepare tea is in itself another way tea can help us relax and unwind. The little ritual of preparing a cup gives us a welcome moment of calm in our busy day. It’s as much about slowing down and taking time for ourselves as it is about a simple means to an end. It’s no wonder that tea is such an important part of ceremonies, rituals, and religious practices all over the world.

To enhance your very own tea-making ritual, here are a few suggestions:

Tip 1: Use fresh loose leaf tea

It’s best to use fresh loose leaf tea. Industrially made tea- the type used in tea bags- is unlikely to contain beneficial compounds that exist in fresh tea like l-theanine. Plus, using loose tea lets you pause and appreciate the leaf; you’re able to touch, smell and see the leaves. When tea is in a tea bag, you can’t touch it, smell it, or properly see it.

Tip 2: Brew your tea with care

How you brew tea makes all the difference to the flavour and the overall experience. Prepare fresh, filtered water, and pay close attention to the temperature and steeping time. Water that is too hot can burn the leaves and spoil the flavour. Over-brewing tea can create a bitter cup.

As a general rule, the water used to brew black tea should be 90-98֩C and left to steep for 3 minutes. Green tea requires a lower temperature (approx. 75-80֩C) and steeped for 2-3 minutes. Take notice and be mindful of the sound of the water as it's heating, the temperature, and the steeping time. 

Tip 3: Keep it simple

Brewing a good cup of tea is even more relaxing once you have a few essential pieces of tea equipment. Consider using a glass teapot which allows you to observe your favourite loose leaf teas as they infuse, and observe the infusion change colour. It’s oh so relaxing..!

Tip 4: Sip slowly and savour!

And time for the best bit; sit back and relax with a cup of freshly brewed tea.

Of course there is no right or wrong way to prepare a cup of tea or create your own ritual. Do you have any specific tea rituals that you practice? What does this ritual do for you?