December has come at last and Christmas is just around the corner. Days are short, nights are long and cold. What little light we’ve got in our 24h clock we’re using for working and frantic shopping sprees to get everything ready before the big day. When we finally get home, we’re tired and very often grumpy. Late night shopping, online retailers, it’s all supposed to help our stress levels, but in my experience it is another reason contributing to our stress response. This is the reason I’d like to introduce nervine teas.
Nervines are herbs that specifically support the nervous system. They are tonic, calming and relaxing helpers that can be invited into our lives in these stressful moments of the year.
Without further ado let me introduce to you three lovely and easy to make recipes for delicious calming herbal tea blends.
- MEADOW OF PEACE
Combine equal parts:
-Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
-Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
-Lavender (Lavendula officinalis)
Mix all the herbs well. To prepare put large teaspoon of herbal mixture to a strainer, place in your cup and pour hot water over your herbs. Make sure your strainer is large enough so your herbs can float and mix freely releasing all their goodness. Cover the cup, so the steam and all the essential oils stay in and let steep for 10 minutes. Drink hot, inhaling the steam as you do so, as the steam has all the essential oils and will aid the relaxation process. You can drink this mixture as needed in stressful moments 1-3 cups per day. This blend will aid general relaxation, relive stress and will promote a good night sleep.
Please check with a herbalist or your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- INTO MORPHEUS’S ARMS
- One teaspoon Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
- One teaspoon Passiflora (Passiflora incarnata)
This is my favourite blend for sleeplessness. One cup in the evening before bed brings me right into Morpheus’s arms (hence the name). Chamomile eases muscle tension and is a very well know sedative and relaxant. Passion flower is also a mild sedative and is very helpful in combating nervousness, restlessness, sleeplessness and both of them are irreplaceable in helping with nervous gastrointestinal disorders – especially in children.
To prepare put herbs into a strainer, place in your cup and pour hot water. Make sure your strainer is large enough so your herbs can float and mix freely releasing all their goodness. Cover the top, so the steam and all the essential oils stay in your cup and let steep for 10 minutes. Drink hot inhaling the steam as you do so, as the steam has all the essential oils and will aid the relaxation process. Drink one cup half an hour before your bedtime.
DO NOT USE THIS BLEND IF YOU ARE ON ANTIDEPRESSANTS OR SEDATIVE MEDICATIONS! Please check with your herbalist or doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- SIMPLE SOLUTION
-one teaspoon Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
-one teaspoon Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
– ¼ – ½ teaspoon Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Skullcap is gentle and nourishing to the nervous system, it helps to relieve occasional tension and stress and is priceless in helping to calm worrying thoughts. It helps to relieve anxiety and insomnia.
Peppermint is not a nervine herb, but in my opinion ads this little extra edge to the flavour of this tea.
To prepare put herbs into a strainer, place in your cup and pour hot water. Make sure your strainer is large enough so your herbs can float and mix freely releasing all their goodness. Cover the top, so the steam and all the essential oils stay in your cup and let steep for 10 minutes. Drink hot inhaling the steam as you do so, as the steam has all the essential oils and will aid the relaxation process.
This tea can be used throughout the day during stressful situations or at night before bed to calm worried thoughts.
STOP TAKING SKULLCAP 2 WEEKS BEFORE SCHEDULED SURGERY. Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Stress is not a state that our bodies are wired to be constantly in. These herbal tea blends are here to help you to navigate the difficult moments in your life, so they can be enjoyed from time to time when needed. If you find yourself constantly stressed and anxious and approaching Christmas has nothing to do with it, please consider looking into underlying reasons and consult with a specialist. There are many therapies and solutions to help you win the battle with stress and anxiety. And although it may seem daunting, it can be done. Please remember, you are not alone, and help is available.
I hope you will all enjoy the flavours and smells of these healing and calming blends. And let us all show December who is the boss here.
With love,
Agnieszka
Bibliography:
Ben-Erik van Wyk, Michael Wink, Medicinal plants of the world: an illustrated scientific guide to important medicinal plants and their uses, Timber Press, Portland 2004.