Menu
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Healthy Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Diets & Nutrition - Food Safety
    Nutrition
    healthy nutrition
    Recipes
    healthy recipes
    Featured Articles
    • Health Tips
      The Dirty Dozen Plus: Foods You Should Only Buy Organic
    • Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
      Foods You Don’t Have To Buy Organic: The Clean 15
    • Food Safety
      What Is Allulose?
    • Videos
      Video: Top 12 Anti-Inflammatory Foods To Add To Your Shopping List
    • Diets & Weight Loss
      The Ketogenic Diet
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    herbal remedies - herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    suppliments & remedies
    Vitamins
    ask-dr-weil_vitamins-supplements-herbs_vitamins-topnav
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    The Legacy Of Living Yes | Spontaneous Happiness | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Health Tips
    Healthy Drinks To Start Sipping | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Spontaneous Happiness
    blog_spontaneous-happiness_topnav
  • COVID-19
  • Dr. Weil Origins Skin Care
  • Marketplace
  • Healthy Aging
  • Podcasts
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
An Anti-Anxiety Agent in Tea?
Subscribe
Press "Enter" to search
  1. Home
  2. Health & Wellness
  3. Body, Mind & Spirit
  4. Stress & Anxiety

An Anti-Anxiety Agent in Tea?

I’ve read that L-theanine is a good anti-anxiety product. It is a form of green tea extract. What are your thoughts on using this for anxiety?

Andrew Weil, M.D. | March 11, 2004

Woman sitting in armchair, arms outstretched
1 min

L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea plants, is responsible for the unique flavor of green tea. This compound is said to promote relaxation and modify the stimulating effects of the caffeine present in green tea.

Some research has suggested that L-theanine has calming effects. In one study, young women were given either water, 50 mg of L-theanine, or 200 mg of L-theanine once a week. Afterward, their brain waves were measured. Those who received the highest dose (200 mg) produced more alpha waves, an indication of increased relaxation, about 40 minutes after getting the L-theanine. Results of this study were published in the June 1999 issue of Trends in Food Science & Technology. However, more research will be needed to confirm the findings.

Other studies, including animal studies, have suggested that L-theanine has an anti-cancer effect, may enhance learning in animals, and lowers blood pressure in hypertensive rats. But none of these benefits have been demonstrated in humans, at least not yet.

As far as combating anxiety is concerned, I recommend breathing exercises, which are the most effective and fastest-acting method I know. Aerobic exercise is also helpful, and I would recommend avoiding caffeine because its stimulating effects can heighten anxiety.

You also might try tincture of passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), which is mildly relaxing. The dose is one dropperful in a little water, up to four times a day, as needed. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is more powerful – use a capsule of the standardized extract only as needed.

For the calming and relaxing benefits of L-theanine, I recommend drinking green tea in moderation rather than taking a supplement. If you find the tea too stimulating, look for a decaffeinated form.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Updated 4/13/2011

Sources:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21208586

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24051231

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

Thoughtful woman smoking cigarette and drinking coffee
Stress & Anxiety

A Safe Way to Relieve Stress?

Woman sitting in armchair, arms outstretched
Stress & Anxiety

An Anti-Anxiety Agent in Tea?

White teacup on white textile vintage texture
Stress & Anxiety

Anxiety

Teenage girl feeling depressed after breaking up with her boyfriend.
Stress & Anxiety

Anxious in the Morning?

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Information
  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage Email Subscription
Trending Articles
Thoughtful woman smoking cigarette and drinking coffee
Stress & Anxiety

A Safe Way to Relieve Stress?

Woman sitting in armchair, arms outstretched
Stress & Anxiety

An Anti-Anxiety Agent in Tea?

Daily Tips
2 Snack Suggestions For Those Late-Night Cravings | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Health Tips

2 Snack Suggestions For Late-Night Cravings

mediterranean diet to save your sight
Health Tips

Is Eating More Fat The Way To Lose Weight?

  • Flickr
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

©Copyright 2022 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com