Herbal eas or Relaxation

Many herbs and flowers can be dried and then either chopped or ground to produce a natural herbal tea.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) can be used for sleep and anxiety. The Valerian herb promotes sleep and has been used historically in different tribes to treat nervousness. It is considered a tranquilizer and has been shown to depress the central nervous system and relax muscles. It can help overall physical and mental health through this action and has been used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, muscle tension, restless leg syndrome, and also different phobias. It assists in total body and mind relaxation, most importantly decreasing stress, anxiety, and promoting proper sleep. Valerian was used in wars to treat nervous stress and shell shock. It is recommended only to use it at night as it does have a strong sedative effect and to not mix with any other pharmaceuticals. It can be drunk in tea, steeped for 15 minutes, or taken in a concentrated extract form.

Basil (Ocimum sanctum/Ocimum Tenuiflorum) can be used for stress and relaxation. It is known to be an antidepressant. It has a stress-relieving effect and is calming when used. It can be beneficial for relieving anxiety. This herb can be used to make relaxing teas. It is traditionally thought to be a very sacred herb. Its leaves and flowers are medicinally useful. Infusions can be made to create steam for inhalation. It can promote the soothing of stress, relieving congestion, overcoming uneasiness, and enhancing relaxation.

Chamomile (Chamaemelum Nobile/ Chamomilla Recutita) tea is commonly used for relaxation and to treat stress. This flower is known to be incredibly soothing and a great way to treat anxiety. It is because certain species of sage are considered sedatives and relaxants. It is a popular tea that is often sold in single-use tea bags but can be created by simply steeping the dried flowers without any additional treatment. It is also useful to use the cooled tea as a face wash as it is known to be a skin healer. Infusions can be made for inhalation or other body treatments. Chamomile is one of the most popular herbs used for a wide array of healing intentions. It is sometimes referred to as an “herbal aspirin.”

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora & Scutellaria Baicalensis) tea can be used for tension, stress, worry, and sleep. This herb has many historical uses with indigenous tribes of North America. It has a sedative effect and is used to soothe anxiety, nervous exhaustion, and tension. It has many therapeutic properties that assist the body and mind in nourishing the central nervous system, calming overall levels of stress, and relieving feelings of anxiety. It also assists in relaxing the body through its antispasmodic action, which is very beneficial for individuals who experience body tension caused by stress and worry. Due to its sedative effect, it is also used to treat insomnia and other sleep disturbances. A tincture created from fresh skullcap herb is the most efficient method for easing nervousness, but capsules and tablets have also been known to be used effectively. It is often mixed with other herbs to treat certain ailments. A great tea for sleep combines half a teaspoon of skullcap with half teaspoons of passionflower, lemon balm, and spearmint. Let this recipe steep for 20 minutes before consuming.