Herbal Teas for Peace and Serenity
The simple act of holding a warm mug can be healing, but the benefits multiply when you sip teas blended for greater calm and better sleep.
Stress – personal and global – can take its toll on our bodies and minds. For many, the New Year offers an opportunity to reset and reintroduce healthy habits. One of the simplest ways to infuse peace and wellness into your daily routine is to create a daily tea habit. Regardless of the herbs you steep in your tea, researchers have found that simply holding a warm mug gives you a more generous, kind soul and improves your perception of others. Good vibes matter, too. In one study, those who drank tea “treated” with good intentions from Buddhist monks had greater mood benefits than those who drank tea made from the same exact ingredients but without the “treatment.”
The act of brewing a cup of tea from loose herbs gives the sense of self care, empowerment, and can be an act of meditation and reflection. You can take this a step further by using herbs that support a calm mood, reduced stress response, and better sleep.
Consider growing your own herbs this year, and purchase from good quality, organic herb suppliers, particularly small-scale, local farms. Almost of the herbs in the blends suggested here can be grown in the United States. For green tea, seek recently-harvested tea from fair-trade and organic sources; green tea gets fishy when it’s old. Grow your own skullcap or purchase from organic farms that grow their own; this plant — while very safe in and of itself — is unfortunately often adulterated with liver-toxic herbs in commerce.
Tulsi & Friends
Tulsi, or holy basil (Ocimum sanctum, syn. O. tenuiflorum) is a delicious, delightful aromatic herb with adaptogenic (stress-relieving), calming, and gently energizing properties. It also helps lower blood sugar, stress-related sugar cravings, decreases inflammation, and improves cognition and immune function. The “kapoor” variety is easy to grow and harvest in abundance in the garden (some seed companies don’t specify the variety; these are usually kapoor). Holy basil is great on its own but can also be blended with other herbs to focus its action and change the flavor. When steeping holy basil, give it at least 5 minutes, but you could let it steep for much longer and still have a great cup of tea. For the following blends, use approximately 1 teaspoon of each herb.
Tulsi with Jasmine Green Tea (Camellia sinensis), Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica), and Mint (Mentha spp.): for an energy and cognition boost with decreased inflammation
Tulsi with Rose Petals (Rosa spp.): to calm and gladden the heart, lift spirits, and ease grief
Tulsi with Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): to gladden the heart, lift spirits, and promote a calm-alert mind
Maria’s Sleep Tea
This is an amazingly effective sedative tea that also tastes good. Brew it strong and in smaller servings so you get the effects without having to pee in the middle of the night. Lemon balm is a mildly calming and uplifting herb whereas passionflower and skullcap are more potent sedatives. Spearmint and honey perk up the flavor.
Maria’s Sleep Tea
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
- ½ teaspoon skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
- ½ teaspoon lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
- ½ teaspoon spearmint (Mentha spicata)
- Honey to taste
Directions
In a small teacup, cover the herbs with 4 to 6 ounces of hot water. Let steep 20 minutes, strain, and sweeten to taste.
SLEEP TEA RECIPE EXCERPTED FROM BODY INTO BALANCE © 2016 BY MARIA NOËL GROVES. PASSION FLOWER ILLUSTRATION © NARDA LEBO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Learn More
An antacid or an aspirin may soothe your pain, but it doesn’t cure the cause of your symptoms. Headaches, indigestion, fatigue, allergies, anxiety, eczema, high blood pressure, and other conditions are clues to a deeper imbalance in your body, and learning to read those clues is a key step in maintaining optimal health. Herbalist Maria Noël Groves shows you how to read your body’s signals and support your own wellness with herbal remedies and other natural treatments. You’ll learn how each of your major body systems — respiratory, digestive, immune, nervous, memory, reproductive, circulatory, and more — optimally functions, and you’ll discover how to use natural remedies to nourish and repair problem areas, restore lost vitality, support your body as a whole, and prevent future problems. Groves includes in-depth instructions, with step-by-step photographs, for making your own herbal remedies, as well as expert guidance on buying and effectively using commercial preparations.
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