.recipe: snooze tea.

A few years ago I found a curiosity to grow my knowledge about herbs and how to make delicious and beneficial tea blends. This lead me taking a herbal class a few years ago and learned how to make a yummy calm tea for the winter months. I loved the process of blending and drinking the tea. It's also a wonderful gift to give to loved ones! I have continued to try and experiment with herbs and tea blends then a few weeks ago I found a new herbal tea book that is overflowing with wonderful blends and recipes from PNW Herbalist Sarah Farr. I want to try all of these recipes but the first one I tried was snooze tea. It's a perfect tea for bedtime, the blend includes valerian and kava kava which are deeply relaxing herbs (note: some people do have different experiences with kava kava best to research more information if you have any medical concerns. And you shouldn't consume this tea if you are pregnant or breastfeed). 

If you need a little help to unwind and relax at night this might be a nice tea to try. Find the recipe and infusion instructions below!

Snooze Tea

Recipe by: Sarah Farr

from Healing Herbal Teas: Learn to Blend 101 Specially Formulated Teas for Stress Management, Common Ailments, Seasonal Health, and Immune Support

2 parts Valerian

1 part Kava

1 part Linden

1 part mint

1 part passionflower

0.25 part hops

0.25 part nutmeg

Hot: Pour 1.5 cups hot water over 1 to 2 tablespoons tea. Steep for 5 to 10 mins.

Cold: Combine 2 cups cold water and 1 to 2 tablespoons of tea in lidded jar. Shake the jar to make sure all the tea is saturated. Place in the refrigerator or cool place for at least 2 hours.

.cultivating calmness.

S L O W Sunday/// I attended a wonderful herb class yesterday called cultivating calmness. The class introduced me to  calming - grounding herbs: milky oats - hawthorn - tulsi - lavender. The herbalist talked about the need for our bodies to slow down during this holiday and winter season. To find out natural rhythm, which is to turn inwards this time of year. Just like the trees are dropping leaves - no longer putting their energy outwards but instead redirecting their energy inwards, down to their roots. I resist winter, always. I am quick to move, curious to try something new, hungry for change - slowing down is something I don't know how to do. I really felt the need to start incorporating these herbs into my daily life - my self-care routine. So today on this beautiful slow sun drenched Sunday afternoon I am taking time to blend calm teas.

Here is a little recipe of the tea I made:

Cultivating Calmness Tea
recipe via Steph Zabel

2      tablespoons milky oat tops
1.5   tablespoons tulsi (holy basil)
1      tablespoon lemon balm
.5    teaspoon lavender

Use one heaping spoonful for every 8-12oz of hot water. Allow to steep for at least 10-15 minutes in order to get all the wonderful properties of the herbs.

Drink this tea daily to help nourish your nervous system, support adrenal fatigue and ground your energy. Take time this season to practice more self-care!! xx

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You can find these herbs at most natural foods stores in the bulk herb sections or a great online source is Mountain Rose Herbs.

wholistic woman: herbal teas

I've always been fascinated by herbs and natural healing and even more so after my natural medicine training in Malawi. Herbs can be digested in many forms, but mostly I love making teas!! (note to reader: always consult with your doctor to know if something is right for you. all our bodies digest, absorb, and process herbs/food/medicine differently and herbs are powerful!). 

How to make herbal teas:

-8 oz of boling water

-1-2 teaspoons of selected herb (some ideas below)

-honey or your favorite sweetener (optional)

-your favorite mug

*let steep for about 5 mins and enjoy*

wholistic herbs for women

raspberry leaves:

"Raspberry leaf tea has been used for centuries as a folk medicine to treat in persons of all ages and anemia, leg cramps, diarrhea, and morning sickness in pregnant women, and as a uterine relaxant. Commentators frequently state that recent scientific research found no benefit in raspberry tea for expectant mothers, but this is not correct. The study published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health in 2001 found that women who drank raspberry leaf tea had shorter labor, and fewer of their babies were delivered by forceps."* It's also just a great overall regulator of female reproductive organs!

nettle leaves:

"Nettle leaf is among the most valuable herbal remedies.  Because of its many nutrients, it is a slow-acting nutritive herb that gently cleanses the body of metabolic wastes.  It has a gentle, stimulating effect on the lymphatic system, enhancing the excretion of wastes through the kidneys.  

Nettle’s iron content makes it a wonderful blood builder, and the presence of vitamin C aids in the iron absorption.  As a hemetic (an herb rich in iron), this is an excellent herb for anemia and fatigue, especially in women.

Stinging nettle is beneficial during pregnancy due to its rich mineral value and vitamin K, which guards against excessive bleeding.  It is also a good supplement to strengthen the fetus.  It is used during labor to ease the pains, and will increase milk production in lactating women. Stinging nettle is often recommended for pre-menstrual syndrome because of its toxin-ridding activity.  When the liver is sluggish, it processes estrogen slowly, contributing to the high levels that cause or aggravate PMS.  It acts as a restorative remedy during menopause, and the astringency of the herb helps in excessive menstrual flow. "

I like mixing nettle leaves with my favorite black tea (irish breakfast), a teaspoon of honey, and a drop of milk! yum.

skullcap:
"It was highly valued by the Cherokee and other tribes as an emmenagogue and female medicinal herb, sometimes used as a ceremonial plant to introduce young girls into womanhood. This plant has considerable value as a sedative. Skullcap reduces stress, anxiety and nervous tension, promotes inner calm, and counteracts insomnia. Because of its antispasmodic action, it may also be helpful in treating menstrual cramps, childbirth pains, and convulsions."



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all this wonderful herbalicous info is brought to you by http://www.mountainroseherbs.com it's also a great supplier of bulk organic herbs!!http://aliciaelizabeth.blogspot.com/2012/04/blessing.html