Sleepytime tea is a series of natural soothing herb tea produced by Celestial Seasonings. Main ingredients of Sleepytime tea are chamomile, tilia flowers, spearmint, blackberry leaves, orange blossoms, lemon grass and hawthorn berries. This company holds that all herbs used in Sleepytime tea are all-natural and this tea is calories and caffeine free. Actually, these ingredients may have some side effects. Improper use of it may lead to health problems. So, read the following text before buying and drinking Sleepytime tea.
Benefits and Side Effects of Sleepytime Tea
Below are some of the benefits and possible side-effects of some of the ingredients in Sleepytime tea to help you decide if this is something you want to take.
1. Chamomile flowers
Benefits:
- Better sleep. Possibly what chamomile tea is most famous for, people have been using it for hundreds of years. Taking it before bedtime can help you get a better night's sleep.
- Relieve upset stomachs. Chamomile is also a great remedy for upset stomachs, helps cure irritable bowel symptoms and also helps ease digestion.
- Ease menstrual cramps. The Ancient Egyptians used chamomile flowers to help with menstrual cramps.
- Fight against colds. With immune boosting ingredients and antibacterial properties, chamomile flowers also help fight against viruses and germs and keep that dreaded cold away from you.
Possible Side Effects:
- Allergic reactions. Some people have severe allergic reactions to chamomile flowers.
- Higher risk of miscarrying. Pregnant women should also avoid pregnancy as it could act as a uterine stimulant which increases the risk of miscarrying.
- Higher risk of bleeding. Anyone who suffers from blood disorders should also avoid chamomile as it contains coumarin which is known to increase the risk of bleeding.
- Drowsiness. Since it's regarded as a herbal depressant, taking chamomile with any sedative medication or even alcohol can cause severe drowsiness.
2. Tilia Flowers
Benefits:
Tilia tree flowers, usually referred to as lime tree flowers, have a wide range of benefits.
- Immune boosting and antibacterial. Like chamomile, linden flowers also contain immune boosting ingredients and antibacterial properties.
- Anti-inflammatory. It also contains tannins which helps protect your throat and intestines from sickness and also helps to reduce and cure inflammation.
- Anti-anxiety. Most recently, linden tea is prescribed to help treat anxiety and nerve related problems.
- Antispasmodic. Further research proves shows that it contains antispasmodic properties that help reduce muscular contractions.
It can also be used to help sooth headaches and incontinence. Tilia flower tea can also be used to sooth upset stomachs and indigestion as well as lower high blood pressure.
Possible Side Effects:
Cardiac damage. While by no means common, one reported side effect is cardiac damage, in patients who use it long-term. While very rare, this side effect may occur, especially in people who are already prone to suffer from heart problems.
3. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a common ingredient in most Indian dishes.
Benefits:
- Calming. One of the main benefits of lemongrass is the calming effect it has on your nerves, which helps you to relax and can cure mild cases of insomnia.
- Antibacterial. It's also contains great antibacterial properties which help strengthen your immune system and fight of colds and coughs.
- Menstrual cramps. Similar to chamomile flowers, lemongrass has also been linked to help relieve patients suffering from menstrual cramps.
- Cholesterol and indigestion. Lemongrass has also been linked to helping patients with digestion problems. Since it contains properties that help maintain a normal level of cholesterol in your body, this helps burn extra fat and improves overall digestion.
Possible Side Effects:
- Allergic reactions. Some allergic reactions have been recorded, mostly due to problems in the respiratory system where patients claim to have suffered from tightness in their throats and pain in their chests.
- Higher risk of miscarriage. As lemongrass tea is used to help alleviate pain from menstrual cycle, it is advised that pregnant women do not drink it to avoid risk of miscarriage.
4. Blackberry leaves
Benefits:
Blackberry leaves are full of benefits, whether it's simply used as a mouthwash or drunk as a tea.
- Diarrhea.Blackberry tea helps relieve diarrhea.
- Inflammation. Another great benefit is its anti-inflammation properties which can be used to treat both the throat and mouth (including gum), as well as mouth sores.
- Ulcers. Blackberry leaves can also be used to treat gastrointestinal ulcers as well as stomach inflammation.
Possible Side Effects:
Liver damage. Several known side effects of blackberry leaves include liver damage if consumed over a long period of time and in large amounts, as well as other minor side effects which include possible upset stomachs and vomiting.
Large amounts of it can have an opposite effect on diarrhea which is why it's important to consult with your doctor before drinking it regularly.
5. Spearmint leaves
Benefits
- Helps improve digestion. Not only for adults, but spearmint leaves are so healthy that doctors also recommend them for children who experience digestive problems. It can also help get rid of nausea or morning sickness.
- Helps improve your respiratory system. Due to the menthol in spearmint leaves, spearmint tea can help cure colds and stuffy noses.
- Soothing properties. Research shows that individuals who suffer from insomnia or depression can benefit greatly from the soothing effects spearmint tea provides. It has also been found to sooth headaches and stress/tension.
Possible Side Effects:
- Kidney problems. It goes without saying that eating or drinking too much of anything, no matter how good it is for you, is bad. As such, drinking too much spearmint tea may stress your kidneys and lead to hyponatremia. This condition occurs when patients drink too much too quickly and their kidneys aren't quick enough in processing the liquid which causes your blood to become waterlogged and could result in brain swelling.
- Other concerns. While spearmint is generally considered healthy for all, there is still a possible risk that it may not mix well with other medications you may be taking. Check with your doctor first if you are on any prescribed drugs.
6. Hawthorn berries
Benefits
- Cardiovascular benefits. There are many health benefits to Hawthorn berries, most important of which are the heart benefits. Not only do they boost the effectiveness of your body, they also improve blood circulation and strengthen heart muscles.
- Inflammation. Other benefits of hawthorn tea include the anti-inflammatory properties it contains as well as its ability to treat high blood pressure.
Possible Side Effects:
- Stomach aches. Some cases of mild stomach aches have been reported, in addition to nausea or sudden lack of appetite as a result of drinking hawthorn tea. On the other hand, severe nausea or vomiting should not be ignored and a doctor should be consulted immediately in case it is the result of an infection or worse yet, the beginning signs of a heart attack.
- Dizziness/headaches. Mild cases of headaches/dizziness have been reported. Should the dizziness or headaches increase in severity, contact your doctor immediately.
- Fatigue or sudden sweating. Fatigue is another possible symptom, and sufferers may experience sudden lack of energy or ability to perform daily activity. Excessive sweating may also occur.
This herb should be strictly avoided by pregnant women.
7. Rosebuds
Benefits:
Rosebud tea has many benefits including helping fight off depression, help ease anxiety and even improve digestion. However, these have not been confirmed by any large health organizations. Below, however, are some confirmed benefits:
- Vitamin C. According to the Food and Drug Administration, Rosebuds contain a lot of raw vitamin C, but lose anywhere from 40-90% of this when dried. Vitamin C is a great source of immunity boosting properties in addition to helping your body better absorb iron. Vitamin C is known to help your skin look healthier and more radiant.
- Cancer killing antioxidants. In addition to the other antioxidants found in rosebud tea, there's also a substance called catechin polyphenol which helps fight cancer cells without damaging the healthy cells.
Possible Side Effects:
Though not common, some side-effects that have been reported include heartburn and possible respiratory problems. Other minor side effects include headaches, nausea and possible insomnia due to the caffeine in it.
8. Orange Blossoms
Orange blossoms have been used to treat insomnia and anxiety for centuries. Other benefits include soothing upset stomachs and aiding in better digestion.
Make sure you stop drinking Sleepytime tea and consult with your doctor as soon as you see any side effects. Also, it is advised that pregnant women do not drink any Sleepytime tea as it could increase the risk of miscarriage.
