My mom moved in with us almost four weeks ago. She is a big proponent of herbal medicine, and so are we. So when she began offering us some of her bedtime tea, we said yes. Thus, my new nighttime tea routine began.
Around 7 pm, we start to unwind. Yes, I said 7 pm. My husband and I like a long and quiet unwinding of the day. My mother gathers the herbs. She drops the herbs in a pot of water and turns it off once it boils. She will let it steep for thirty minutes, and then we will all have a cup of tea at the perfect temperature.
We will all sit in the living room and talk about the day or watch a short program on the telly. All of a sudden, I can’t see straight. My eyes become heavy, and I am completely relaxed. The first time I thought maybe she put something in the tea, but I have learned that the herbs she uses do precisely that, relax you.
The tea washes over my body, the world quietens, and my husband becomes cozier. We say goodnight, and we all go to bed. My new nighttime tea routine has added quality to my sleep. I sleep longer and more deeply. Well, it’s late here now, I am off to make some tea. I love you guys. Goodnight.
Tea Herbs: one cinnamon stick, one bay leaf, and a handful of chamomile. Boil in a quart of water.
Bay leaves contain linalol and eucalyptol that help relax the central nervous system, and can also help relieve stress and anxiety. High amounts can cause sleepiness.
Cinnamon has many benefits, but I use it in my new nighttime tea routine because of its relaxation properties. Cinnamon also has eugenol and linalool, which can reduce anxiety and have mild sedative properties. Cinnamon can contribute to better quality sleep by reducing mental noise.
Chamomile’s relaxing fragrance adds to its other unique properties, such as apigenin, which causes a sedative effect. Chamomile is known for its soothing properties but also offers different benefits, such as reducing anxiety and high blood sugar.
