I thought I would keep to the topic of defeating stress.

Did you know that there are herbs known as Nervines that help calm the central nervous system? I bet you know some of them by name.

Chamomile – Chamomile has the reputation of being a sleepy tea herb. Yes, it can do that by helping to quiet anxiety and relax your nerves. It is readily available in tea bag form in most grocery stores, though if you go this route, please buy organic. A better option would be to purchase some seeds and grow your own. It grows well in herb gardens and pots.

Hops – Yes, this is the same hops that is used in brewing beer. It has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Like chamomile, it has sedative properties. It is also an antispasmodic. The addition to a nightly cup of tea could help relax those legs that feel like moving all night long. It can be grown in zones 4-9. It grows as a vine and needs to be trellised.

Lavender – The scent of lavender is well known for its calming properties. The flowers can also be used in tea blends. Not only do they create a very pretty tea, but the aromatic oils of these purple beauties rise up and deliver a soothing tea experience.

Lemon Balm – a lemony tasting green member of the mint family. It is very easy to grow. However, it is a prolific spreader so give it some definite boundaries. The leaves can be used fresh or dried. They add another layer of calm to any tea.
*There may be contraindications for people with hypothyroidism. Always do your research if you have any medical condition or are taking medication.

A great option for those who choose not to or cannot grow their own would be purchasing loose herbs from a reputable herb store. Shopping local helps small businesses and often allows you to talk with someone who knows herbs. Local stores keep most tea herbs in stock.

If you don’t have a local store, my first recommendation for a family-owned business is Farmhouse Teas. I have purchased herbs from CeAnne and can tell you that she and her family are meticulous in their practices. They have tea blends all formulated and ready for you to purchase.

Starwest is another herb supplier that I purchase from. They carry quality herbs and a larger variety than smaller businesses can handle. Their shipping time can vary, but the quality of their herbs has never disappointed.

The beauty of making your own blends is you get to choose which herbs to add. I would make small jar of tea using

4 Tablespoons Chamomile
3 Tablespoon dry Lavender
1 Tablespoon dry crushed Lemon Balm
1 Tablespoon Calendula (just because I love it in tea)
1 Tablespoon dry Ginger (using the cut and sifted from an herb company like Starwest Botanicals makes it so the powdered herb doesn’t settle to the bottom. )

To make a cup of calming tea

1. Add about 1 tsp of dried herbs to a “tea ball” of “tea strainer”.
2. Pour just boiled water over the top and cover your cup to keep the volatile oils in.
3. Let it steep for 5 or 6 minutes.
4. Remove the strainer, add a drop of honey if desired, and enjoy.

For detailed instructions on how to formulate tea blends I suggest this video from Heidi Villegas at Healing Harvest Homestead. She has so many blends it is amazing. Hint hint I usually follow one of her recipes.
Heidi has just released a tea making challenge. It will begin in mid June 2024. Hurry over and register. She will also be releasing a stand alone master class on Tea Making. I will share a link to that as soon as it comes out.

I have two different tea strainers. This is a thermos type with a small tea basket inside, made by Mira. I love it. It keeps tea hot or it keeps tea cold, all depending on the infusion you wanted. The other is a plain cone shaped strainer that fits perfect inside a quart mason jar. I use this for longer infusions that I want for multiple cups of medicinal strength tea, or for longer cold infusions. Tea is a great way to enjoy some relaxing herbs. Take a minute and take a sip. Enjoy.