As planet-conscious King Charles takes the throne come May, this new study crowns infusions a natural solution to modern wellbeing woes – revealing the natural healing power of plants this National Tea Day (21 April 2023).
As the coronation of King Charles III approaches, a new study reveals a sustainable solution to modern lifestyle-induced health woes in the form of tea.
The Tea Advisory Panel (TAP) review, Tea and Herbal Infusions, Psychological Stress, Anxiety & Sleep Health: A Systematic Review of Human Trials & Mechanistic Studies, analysed 33 studies and found that several types of tea, including black tea, green tea, chamomile, lavender, rose, jasmine and passionflower, can help improve sleep quality, reduce stress and alleviate anxiety.
Authored by the experts in nutrition and wellbeing at the TAP (www.teaadvisorypanel.com), the study found that quality and quantity are important when it comes to sleep, coupled with effective stress management.
According to another study, published by the National Library of Medicine, the short-term consequences of sleep deprivation include increased stress response, pain, reduced quality of life, emotional distress, mood disorders, and cognitive, memory, and performance deficits, while the long-term consequences include problems like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer.
The study also found that the flavour profile of a tea or infusion is derived from naturally occurring phytochemicals and polyphenols such as flavonoids found in the parent plant. The British public’s tea-drinking habits were also reviewed, with black tea remaining the nation’s go-to tea, enjoyed by almost 8 in 10 Brits (77%), followed by herbal infusions such as peppermint, chamomile and ginger teas (69%).
Indeed, chamomile’s constituent terpenoids and flavonoids contribute to its health promoting properties, including for the treatment of insomnia, and evidence suggests more than a million cups of chamomile tea are consumed every day. Public Health Nutritionist and TAP member Dr Emma Derbyshire says, “According to clinical trials, chamomile tea has been shown to deliver significant improvements in sleep quality.
“Research also shows that black and green tea contain L-theanine, an amino acid associated with mood regulation. Brain scans have also shown it to increase alpha-wave activity, which indicates relaxation without drowsiness.”
What’s more, 15% of survey respondents reported drinking Matcha, which has even higher concentrations of many of the health-boosting plant chemicals found in green tea thanks to the specific processing methods.
There are also science-backed benefits to drinking Rose tea. For example, one study found that Taiwanese teenagers who drank two cups of rose tea a day for six months had lower levels of anxiety and better emotional wellbeing compared to controls.
Additionally, Jasmine tea is produced by scenting tea with Jasmine blossoms after drying. The tea then absorbs plant volatiles released by the blossoms, which activate the parasympathetic nervous system — the network of ‘rest and digest’ responses that relax the body after periods of heightened stress.
GP and TAP member Dr Gill Jenkins says: “The latest TAP-authored systematic review also highlights the wellbeing benefits of Passionflower tea. Indeed, this plant’s blooms contain several potentially beneficial plant compounds including chrysin, a flavonoid that binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. It has been shown to reduce anxiety in much the same way as the anti-anxiety drug diazepam.”
Yet despite this wealth of scientific evidence, the survey revealed that only four in 10 (39%) Brits believe that easing stress and anxiety is one of the health benefits of drinking tea. Many were also unaware of other sleep and stress benefits with only:
- 21% believing tea improves low mood or depression.
- 18% believing tea helps with sleep problems.
Dr Emma Derbyshire says, “Many people still aren’t even aware of how beneficial to their wellbeing it can be to pop the kettle on. But it’s encouraging that 98% of Brits are instinctively enjoying a minimum of one or two cups of tea a day.”
“Teas and herbal infusions can provide a simple, sustainable, and enjoyable solution to these latest barriers to health and wellbeing,” adds Dr Gill Jenkins.
The Tea Advisory Panel is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from the UK TEA & INFUSIONS ASSOCIATION, the trade association for the UK tea industry. The Panel has been created to provide media with impartial information regarding the health benefits of tea. Panel members include nutritionists; dieticians and doctors. See more here.