Being someone who suffers from debilitating anxiety and lifelong sleeping issues, I’m constantly researching remedies and ways to treat and cope. Having had rheumatoid arthritis since age seven, which has spawned into other bone complications over the years, desperate attempts to stay calm in order to avoid potentially permanently damaging flare-up’s are made. Some are futile, others contradicting, a majority just stop working all together. So when I came upon this article on a “Calm and Sleepy” tea I felt shamefully doubtful while still open to try anything.
I attained what was immediately available to me as the original recipe made note of a few substitutions and add-on’s. While sparing the details I will confess that I have been more sensitive to outside influences of stress and it’s accompanying physical and emotional responses. The results absolutely amazed me. Not long after I began to digest it, sipping slowly over a few hours time, the calm began to set in. The usual heart palpitations were completely absent, my body felt more fluid, a notable amount of pain was relieved, I was able to relax and put my focus elsewhere and eventually, when drowsy enough, was ready to give myself over to sleep. I would also like to note that my dreams were unaffected; I still dreamt just as vividly as I normally would. Below, you’ll find the original recipe, the version I consumed plus an outline of the roots and herbs mentioned in each with their benefits.
Calm & Sleepy Tea
- 1 Cup of Lemon Balm
- 1/2 Cup of Passionflower
- 1/2 Cup of Skullcap
- 1/2 Cup of Chamomile
- 1/4 Cup of Spearmint
Optional additions: 1/4 cup of Valerian, 1 TBS of lavender, 1 TBS of rose petals or buds, 1/2 cup of oat straw, 1 teaspoon of stevia (for sweetness).
What I Used
- 1/2 Cup of Skullcap
- 1/2 Cup of Chamomile
- 1/4 Cup of Valerian
- 1 TBS of Lavender
- Three packets of stevia
I gathered the ingredients into an un-dyed mesh satchel. I used a large mason jar since it appeared bulkier than what I presume a normal cup of tea to hold, pouring the boiled water to the top. By the end of the night I finished a little more than half and re-used the same satchel the following day for a weaker version.
Benefits
Skullcap: mild relaxant used for anxiety, insomnia, nervous tension, allergies, skin infections, inflammation, neurological disorders, depression, contains antioxidants
Chamomile: reduces severity of menstrual cramps, lowers blood sugar levels, slows osteoporosis, reduces anxiety, promotes bone density, reduces inflammation, targets and prevents cancer cells from developing, promotes sleep and relaxation, treats mild skin conditions, relieves some cold symptoms
Valerian: used as a sedative for insomnia, staying asleep, restorative sleep, anxiety, for emotional reactions and fear due to stress, regulates mood, involuntary muscle contractions, OCD, improves focus, may treat menopause and menstrual issues, helps restless leg syndrome, contains antioxidants
Lavender: restful sleep, inflammation, boosts immune system, detoxifies body, digestive health, respiratory health, wound healing, stabilizes mood and nervous system, relieves pain and migraines, promotes hair growth
Passionfruit: boosted immunity, reduces inflammation, lowers stress hormones, lowers anxiety, improves digestion, promotes healthy skin, aids in weight loss, contains vitamins A & C
Lemon Balm: improves mood and cognitive function, relieves stress and anxiety, eases insomnia and other sleep disorders, helps with indigestion, nausea, menstrual cramps, headaches
Spearmint: used for indigestion, gas, nausea, vomiting, IBS, hormone imbalances, reduces unwanted hair growth in women, improves memory, bacterial infections, lowers blood sugar, reduces stress, arthritis pain, lowers blood pressure, high in antioxidants
Rose: used for skin health, congestion, coughing, stress and anxiety, inflammation, weight loss, menstrual cramps, menopause, bloating, digestion, fatigue, sleep, irritability, mood swings, lowers risk of chronic disease, high in antioxidants and vitamins
Oat-straw: strengthens bones, helps nervous system, stress, insomnia, blood sugar, blood flow, mood, promotes strong teeth, brain function, inflammation, contains antioxidants and high in nutrients
Enjoy and check out this post for a DIY spray that combats anxiety and stress induced insomnia.
