If you find yourself fighting what feels like a losing battle against stress, it may be easy to pinpoint the source to a rocky relationship, financial hardship, or an event like the death of a loved one or big work project. What may be more difficult to recognize is the role that caffeine can play in compounding your stress. According to James D. Lane, Ph.D., who led a study at Duke on the role of caffeine on stress, "The effects of coffee drinking are long-lasting and exaggerate the stress response both in terms of the body's physiological response in blood pressure elevations and stress hormone levels, but it also magnifies a person's perception of stress."

If you find yourself unable to eliminate a stressor from your life, consider reducing your caffeine intake to reduce the stress that you perceive as a result of that stressor. One great alternative to coffee, energy drinks and soda, is herbal tea. Not only will switching to a decaf, herbal tea help you to avoid caffeine, there are also certain herbs that have a stress-reducing effect on the body.

Valerian Root - makes for a good night time herb, as it has sedative properties, easing tension and promoting good sleep. 

Catnip - just like the intoxicating effect it creates in cats, catnip works in people as well to reduce muscle tension, while providing mild stimulation.

Chamomile - helps to soothe the stomach and decrease mild anxiety. As an added bonus, chamomile is safe for children and can help to ease gas in nursing infants when passed from mother to baby.

Lavender - reduces inflammation and anxiety.

Lemon Balm - reduces feelings of nervousness and anxiety and reduces headaches.

Passionflower - very effective in treating cases of mild to moderate anxiety, and may even help in cases of extreme anxiety. Passionflower reduces muscle tension and headaches and promotes good sleep.

Hops - used to soothe nervousness and stress, fight insomnia and indigestion, headaches, and build up a suppressed immune system.

Green Tea - contains the amino acid, theonine, which promotes alpha waves in the brain, linked to relaxation. Be sure to look for a decaffeinated green tea.

Many tea blends that promote relaxation or sleep contain a few or several of these herbs. Some that can be easily found in local grocery and drug stores are the following:

Traditional Medicinals' Cup of Calm - contains passionflower, chamomile, lavender and catnip and is effective day or night.

Traditional Medicinals' Nighty Night - also contains passionflower, along with chamomile, linden flower and hops.

Traditional Medicinals' Chamomile with Lavender - contains chamomile, lavender and lemon balm.

Tazo's Calm Chamomile - you could choose to drink any chamomile tea, but this one also includes the benefits of having lemon balm added as well.

Celestial Organics' Relaxation - contains lemon balm and hops.

Celestial Seasonings' Sleepytime Extra - contains chamomile, valerian root and spearmint.

If you try any teas with these herbs, please share your experience. Happy steeping!