Teas & Infusions
What an adaptogen tea or infusion is, what human research has and has not tested in tea form, and the cautions that still apply when the herb is in a cup.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
An adaptogen tea is a drink made by steeping an herb or herb blend in hot water. It is one of the gentlest-looking formats, but a pleasant cup does not tell you what is in it, how strong it is, or whether any research applies to it. "Adaptogen" is a contested term, not a medical category (see what adaptogens are), and "natural" does not always mean "safe". [1]
Before you start. This page is information, not medical advice. If you take prescribed medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a thyroid, liver or autoimmune condition, or have surgery planned, ask a pharmacist or clinician before using any herbal tea regularly. See how medicine interactions work.
How the sources describe teas
NIH's complementary health center lists teas among the forms in which herbal supplements are sold, next to extracts, tablets, capsules and powders. [1] In this library a "tea" or "infusion" means the plant material steeped in water. How tea is made is covered in how herbal tea is prepared, and the general ideas in what herbal tea is.Which adaptogen plants appear in teas
The sources we read name these plants and parts:| Plant | Part named in the sources | Traditional use described by the source |
|---|---|---|
| Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, accepted name per GBIF) [2] | Supplements "typically contain ashwagandha root, leaf, or root/leaf extracts" [3] | Used as a medicinal plant especially in traditional Ayurvedic medicine [3] |
| Holy basil or tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum; O. sanctum is a synonym per GBIF) [2] | A 2024 review lists tea among beverages made with O. sanctum [4] | See the tulsi tea page |
| Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) | Root is the part most used [5] | Used as a calming agent in traditional Chinese medicine and as an adaptogen [5] |
The first and third rows come from NIH's descriptions of supplements, not of teas. We did not find, in the sources we read, a statement of how much of any active compound a typical tea bag delivers.
What research has tested in tea form
Traditional use is not proof, and research on tea is thin.| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Do single-herb adaptogen teas (holy basil, ginseng or ashwagandha) improve stress, sleep or energy? | Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed for holy basil tea, ginseng tea and ashwagandha tea trials and read no human trial of any of them. | No usable evidence |
| Does a multi-herb tea change an immune marker? | A tea fortified with five herbs (Withania somnifera, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Zingiber officinale, Ocimum sanctum and Elettaria cardamomum) was compared with regular tea in two double-blind studies, with 32 and 110 volunteers aged 55 and over in India. The authors reported higher natural killer cell activity, a laboratory marker. [6] | Promising but limited; biomarker only; cannot be credited to any one herb |
| Do ginseng products vary by maker? | A 2004 laboratory study found total ginsenosides in commercial ginseng supplements ranged from 5.3 to 18.2 mg per serving between brands, and recommended daily amounts also differed. [7] | Documented variability (supplements, not teas) |
A cell marker is not the same as fewer infections or feeling better. The tea study tested a particular blend, so its result does not transfer to a different tea, a single herb or a capsule. We did not read the study's funding statement.
Frequently asked questions
Is adaptogen tea weaker than a capsule?
Proper evidence not found. The sources we read do not compare the amount of active compounds in a tea with a capsule or extract. NIH notes that products you buy may differ in important ways from products tested in studies. [1]
Has holy basil tea been shown to reduce stress?
Proper evidence not found in the human research we searched on PubMed. A 2024 review mentions tea among foods made with Ocimum sanctum. [4] See the tulsi tea page.
Can I drink ashwagandha or ginseng tea during pregnancy?
NIH says ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy and not used while breastfeeding, and that some experts recommend against Asian ginseng in pregnancy and breastfeeding. [3][5] Ask your clinician.
Does an adaptogen tea contain caffeine?
It depends on the ingredients. Tea from tea leaves does; the FDA says even decaffeinated tea retains some. [8] We did not read a source on caffeine in specific adaptogen herbs, so check the ingredient list.
Can tea interact with my medicines?
NIH lists possible interactions for ashwagandha and Asian ginseng with several medicine groups. [3][5] Ask a pharmacist before combining. See adaptogen medicine interactions.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety: the cup does not remove the cautions
- Ashwagandha: rare liver injury reports, drowsiness and stomach upset; avoid in pregnancy and while breastfeeding; not recommended before surgery or with autoimmune or thyroid disorders; possible interactions with diabetes, blood pressure, immunosuppressant, sedative, anticonvulsant and thyroid medicines. [3]
- Asian ginseng: insomnia is the most common side effect; it may worsen autoimmune disorders, interfere with blood clotting and lower blood sugar. [5] Some experts advise against it for infants, children, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. [5]
- Caffeine: teas made with true tea leaves contain caffeine; the FDA gives typical amounts of 37 mg for green and 71 mg for black tea in 12 fluid ounces, and says decaffeinated tea still contains some. [8]
- Quality: NIH warns that what is on a label may not be what is in the product. [1] See quality testing and certifications.
Compare other formats in adaptogen supplement forms. Pregnancy and children are covered in adaptogens in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
References
- NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health), Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy name matches (api.gbif.org/v1/species/match) for Withania somnifera, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Panax ginseng, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Zingiber officinale, Elettaria cardamomum and Theobroma cacao, GBIF species match. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health), Ashwagandha: Usefulness and Safety, last updated March 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- Recent Advances in Food, Nutrition & Agriculture 2024, Ocimum sanctum: The Journey from Sacred Herb to Functional Food (PubMed abstract). Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health), Asian Ginseng: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- Phytotherapy Research 2010, In vivo enhancement of natural killer cell activity through tea fortified with Ayurvedic herbs (PubMed abstract). Read 2026-10-23.
- Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2004, Phytochemical Assays of Commercial Botanical Dietary Supplements (PubMed abstract). Read 2026-10-23.
- US Food and Drug Administration, Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? Read 2026-10-23.