Herbal Tea Recipe for Sleep - Shaye Elliott (2024)
With all the life changes and happenings around the homestead as of late, especially now that our lease is almost up, I've struggled for the first time, although mildly, with something new – insomnia. Hence the herbal tea recipe for sleep.
Typically, on any given day, I'm one of those people who falls asleep as quickly as I can lay down. Sorry honey – no cuddling tonight. Just me. My pillow. And 8 1/2 uninterrupted hours of pure, sleepy bliss.
Thankfully, both the kiddos sleep through the night from 7 pm to 7 am, so acquiring this all-too-important sleep isn't too hard.
But then life happens.
And the past few weeks, as I've laid down to bed, I find myself staring at the ceiling…
…thinking…
…stressing…
…worrying…
…elbowing a snoring husband…
And I didn't know what to do! I hated that panic feeling I'd get bubbling in my stomach as I slowly glanced at the clock and counted down the hours I had left. And yet still, I couldn't quiet the static in my head that kept me awake.
I began to research comforting herbs and essential oils that might contribute to an easier time falling asleep, and low-and-behold, I've conjured up a delicious and calming herbal tea recipe for sleep.
And no. There isn't any alcohol in it. Hardy har har.
On a side note, for some reason, this tonic makes me get A LOT of milk. I mean, I'm a pretty hefty producer anyway (TMI?), but when I drink this tonic (which I have been doing every day for the past few weeks), I find I wake up with a plethora of milk. More than normal. For whatever that's worth.
Before the recipe however, I want to share with you a few other things I've been conscience to do before bed, which has also been helping greatly:
1. Take a shower. Normally, I'm a morning shower person, opting to just rinse my face and hands at night. But since I have begun taking showers after the kids go to bed at night, I find that I sleep A TON better. Something about clean feet rubbing the sheets. I also use this delicious lavender-scented castile soap, which has calming properties. (And yes, I'm still NO-POOing for those interested).
2. Dab on a bit of lavender oil. I use lavender oil for everything. Known for it's relaxing properties, I've found a bit of lavender oil rubbed onto my wrists and chest helps me to do just that.
3. Download a natural-light software for your computer, free – like this one. Because I do so much work on the blog and cookbook at night after the kids go down, I can tend to find myself a little wired after stepping away. This program switches from blue light to warm light at sunset (naturally timing it with your computer's clock), and therefore, allows melatonin production to begin. I love it.
4. Read. I can tend to overdo the computer work at night because that's quite honestly some of the only “free” time I have during the day, besides nap time. But because it is work, it also can keep me from relaxing in the way I need to before hitting the hay. Since I've been allowing myself time to read, I've noticed a significant difference in my state of mind before trying to fall asleep.
5. Pray. Taking time to leave my worries and cares at the feet of Jesus allows me to not only have sweet fellowship with Him, but also to not carry those worries and cares with me to bed.
6. Drink the herbal tea recipe for sleep. (I can hear you now, shouting “JUST GIVE ME THE DANGED RECIPE ALREADY!”). Fine. I will.
Please note, I've included links to buy these herbs online from one of the premier super supplier of potent herbs and spices. Naturally, with the simple nature of this tonic, the freshness and quality of the spices really matters. Find the best you can. You will need: – 3 cinnamon sticks – 1 tablespoon all-spice berries – 1 tablespoon cloves – 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns (optional) – 15 bay leaves – 2″ piece of fresh ginger, cut into large pieces – 10 cups filtered water
Step One: Combine all the ingredients together in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and allow them to steep for 2-3 hours.
Step Two: Drink. Either plain or with a dollop of fresh cream, coconut oil, butter, or honey.
As I drink from the pan, I add extra water back in, so as to use the same spices for 2-3 pots of water. They still have plenty of potency and I figure I might as well get the most use of them as I can!
This also works well in the crockpot (which is primarily how I make the tea). It's easy to leave on “Keep Warm” and just dip your cup in throughout the day.
I've been trying to drink 2-3 mugs full before bed. And luckily, since I'm not longer pregnant and my bladder is now more well-behaved than it was during that period, I can usually make it through the night without a bathroom-break.
Sorry. You probably didn't need to know that.
I don't know if it's just the delicious, spiced tonic that helps me sleep…or if there is actually something in the spices themselves. But regardless, it has been very helpful.
It's sort of a good feeling too – to be mindful of the night and of rest. Mentally and physically winding down after a full day is encouraging to the soul.
And let's face it, I'm a much better wife, mother, and overall human being when I can acquire that oh-so-precious sleep.
I drink it for society's sake.
For other great meal ideas, no matter what your dietary restrictions, check out the meal planning service I use: Real Plans.
Combine all the ingredients together in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and allow them to steep for 2-3 hours.
Drink. Either plain or with a dollop of fresh cream,coconut oil,butter, orhoney.
As I drink from the pan, I add extra water back in, so as to use the same spices for 2-3 pots of water. They still have plenty of potency and I figure I might as well get the most use of them as I can!
This also works well in the crockpot (which is primarily how I make the tea). It's easy to leave on “Keep Warm” and just dip your cup in throughout the day.
Chamomile tea is a type of herbal tea with a delicate floral flavor and possible health benefits. It's made from chamomile, a plant that's often used to promote sleep thanks to its sedative effects ( 10 ).
Chamomile Tea. The chamomile flower has been used medicinally for thousands of years, treating everything from hay fever and gastrointestinal discomfort to wounds and insomnia. ...
Bring fresh, filtered water to a rolling boil.Pour 1 cup water over a tea bag in a cup.Steep 4 to 6 minutes and remove bag.Sweeten if desired and enjoy.
Use one heaped tablespoon to a cup of boiling water.Place the herbs in a tea infuser ball or small teapot.Allow to steep for 5 minutes.Discard the herbs.
1. Valerian Root. Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis), also known as valerian, comes from the root of the valerian plant. With over 200 species globally, valerian is considered safe to consume and is regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a dietary supplement.
Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea has long been used as a bedtime tea because it is caffeine-free and helps induce sleep. It is also known to decrease stress and anxiety which can help you fall asleep quicker. Green Tea: Although green tea has caffeine, it can actually help you sleep.
However, there are some risks associated with overuse. Valerian, one ingredient of sleepytime tea, could cause some negative side effects. One sleepytime tea brand, Extra, has this ingredient in it and could cause headaches, dizziness, and stomach issues.
Lavender and valerian root envelop us in warmth, while the flavour of fragrant herbs such as mint and sage bring us calm. The tea for everyone who wants to gently round off their day.
Was this helpful? Chamomile tea contains antioxidants that may offer health benefits, which may reduce your risk of some diseases. Chamomile tea may also help improve sleep and digestion.
Warm drinks before bed are not only relaxing, but they can also trigger a release of melatonin and serotonin in our brains, which helps us to fall asleep faster. Studies have shown that drinking a cup of chamomile tea about 45 minutes before bed will help you to fall asleep faster and easier.
Don't combine valerian root with alcohol, other sleep aids, or antidepressants. Also avoid combining it with sedative drugs, such as barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital, secobarbital) and benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Valium, Ativan). Valerian root also has a sedative effect, and the effect can be addictive.
Valerian may not be safe if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. And it has not been evaluated to determine if it's safe for children under 3 years old. If you have liver disease, avoid taking valerian. And because valerian can make you drowsy, avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery after taking it.
Insomnia. Taking valerian root extract 300-600 mg by mouth daily seems to improve sleep quality. Continuous use for up to 4 weeks might be needed before an effect is noticeable.
It is stronger than chamomile when it comes to inducing a sleepy state. It contains valerenic acid and iridoid glycosides that give this root the sedative label. Multiple studies suggest that its active ingredients bind with the ꞵ-subunits of the GABA receptors and encourage benzodiazepine-like action.
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