I have an infant and a toddler. It’s safe to say that I may or may not be certifiably “bat-shit-crazy.”
Labels aside; one thing’s for certain– there are times in my day, (or heck, my whole day–I’m not gonna lie,) that I need I a physical or mental break. Since it’s not legit to do it with wine, I do it with tea…
I love tea to my very core. I’ve been “on tea” since I was 9 years old. I RARELY, if ever drink caffeinated tea, but I need a good cuppa just as much as the next coffee-addicted junkie. I need my herbal tea “fix.” I have been known to say that my dream job would be to blend teas and make lip balm for a living.
Just those two things.
Anyway, I digress.
I want to share with you an herbal tea blend I recently made and am cherishing. Coveting? Really, really enjoying! I have labelled it “Mama’s Tea,” but it’s not just for mamas. It’s for everyone and anyone who has ever felt harried, or for someone who just enjoys a mighty fine herbal infusion.
I use the Simplers Method, (sometimes referred to as “Folk Method” when I blend teas). Also, more often than not, I don’t write it down; which is a shame, because I am left scrambling to recreate the “parts.” Simplers Method is not scientific, and to me, nor is tea blending.
It’s little pinches, handfuls, dashes, scoops, and dollops.
If you are not familiar with Simplers Method, it is literally just measuring in equal parts. Any unit can be used as a measuring device; such as a teaspoon, mason jar, measuring cup, and my personal favorite: my hands! Recipes in the manner of Simplers Method can easily be scaled up and down and are as easy as they come.
One of my favorite things about this folk method, is that it is easy to incorporate my “little helpers” in my medicine making. Sweet Toddler finds it thrilling to scoop and pour the herbs. She also shakes the (lidded) jar to incorporate at the end. Seeing her little face light up is what I sometimes think back on as I’m brewing a cuppa. That’s therapy in and of itself 
**The only time the method is not appropriate is when using potent and potentially dangerous herbs in which low-dose medicines are made. Medicines you would consume in drops, for example. This is generally the realm of the very advanced herbalist, so you needn’t worry.
My calming herbal tea recipe includes: Chamomile, nettle, elderflower, marshmallow root, oatstraw, alfalfa, cornflower (Batchelor’s button, Blue Bonnet) and lavender. Each herb serves a purpose, if not multiple, and when blending teas I like to utilize multi-faceted herbs that compliment one another. For instance, alfalfa, nettle and oatstraw are nutritive herbs. “Food Herbs” that are nourishing for the body and mind and help support relaxation. Chamomile being the boss of the soothing category here. Cornflower and lavender are used for aesthetics and aroma, along with their individual healing properties. Elderflower is delightful in tea, but is also great for immune support. And then there’s marshmallow root, a super herb, soothing digestion, skin, hair, inflammatory ailments. All combined, these herbs make a wonderfully calming, centering and nourishing tea blend that I am thoroughly enjoying.
I hope you do too!
Calming Herbal Tea Blend
- 2 parts chamomile flower
- 2 parts elder flowers
- 1-2 part(s) nettle leaf
- 1 part marshmallow root
- 1 part oatstraw
- 1 part alfalfa leaf
- 1/2 part cornflowers
- 1/2 part lavender flowers
Combine in a glass jar or tea bag, (refoldable, lined, stay-fresh top)
.
Lightly shake or stir to incorporate. I use between a teaspoon to many tablespoons depending on quantity and desired strength. This blend also makes a great infusion, where a small handful of herb is placed in a quart jar and boiling water is poured atop. The brew is left to cool, usually overnight on the counter, and then the infusion can be strained or not, chilled or not, and enjoyed immediately.
Note: This is a loose leaf tea, and for best results the plant material should be strained out before consuming, although is not required. I use a stainless steel mug with a loose leaf tea press inside, Similar to the one shown here. Another option is a reusable stainless steel tea ball, or an economic, reusable cotton tea net. Mountain Rose Herbs also carries disposable tea filters if you’d like to bag this blend up as a gift or for travel.
Check out their tea accessories here!
Recommended Reading:
Making Plant Medicine
The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook: A Home Manual
Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth
**Do you wish to deepen your herbal knowledge? Or, are you just starting out on your herbal journey? Cultivate your knowledge with one of the most respected online herbal academies around, The Herbal Academy of New England. They have courses for beginners and intermediates, host an online Herbarium, and give herbal info freely on their website and blog.
Since you understand that vitality grows naturally from the way you live your life, and health doesn’t come from a plastic bottle, you may be interested in investing in it. Check out the herbal courses at HANE, and the many things they offer.
We are herbalists, a spirited group of individuals from all walks of life, joined together by our gratitude for nature and our desire to live and heal with plants.
Along our herbal journey, we have grown closer to the earth and closer to the fellow beings whom it sustains. We have learned and continue to learn how even the smallest, seemingly insignificant plant has value. Real value — to its ecosystem and to us.
This connection that we share, this knowledge that we have gained, and all that we have yet to learn.
My favorite HANE resource is the HERBARIUM!
The Herbarium is a digital transformation of the traditional herbarium– a collection of dried plants used as reference, to share herbal experiences, discoveries, and lessons through beautiful visuals. HANE has made a digital herbal compendium complete with constantly updated herbal monographs, photographs, thoughtful articles, and educational podcasts, videos, tutorials, and teaching charts. As part of The Herbarium community, you will have all of these resources and more right at your fingertips, enriching your life-long journey through herbalism.
Disclaimer: Remedies discussed in this blog post may not be right for everyone. Proceed with caution when using herbs. Always check with your own doctor regarding your own choices. In other words, don’t just take my word for it. Do your own research. I’m not a healthcare provider
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