By Katie Mae Stanley, Contributing Writer
The holidays are over and yet you still feel like you have hit the ground running.
Some days you need a break, which is really hard when you are a mom. For me the ideal break is separating myself from everyone, reading a couple pages from a book, listening to soothing music, and drinking a cup of tea.
Who am I kidding? Most days as a mom that doesn’t happen, at least not until the kids are in bed and even then you don’t know when one might find their way out of their bedroom…
That’s when you settle for the tea. Tea, specifically herbal tea, has a powerful effect on the body.
Passion flower, chamomile, lemon balm, catnip, and lavender are all known for their soothing and relaxing effects, that come together to make this simple DIY stress reliever tea. One of the best parts? It is so simple to make that you won’t feel stressed trying to make it.
There are many herbs out there that are good for relieving stress. Not all are safe for pregnancy, nursing, or young children. This tea is safe for children of all ages and relatively safe for pregnant and nursing moms.
Keep this DIY stress reliever tea in an easy to reach place so you can make it whenever you feel stressed you can make yourself a cup to sip on. Some days you may find it beneficial to make a whole pot to drink throughout the day. This tea can be enjoyed hot or cold.
The Important Herbs
Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) Passion flower eases anxiety and promotes deep sleep. It is considered a safe herb for most but should be used sparingly during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) Chamomile is best known as a nervine (calms the nerves), acts as a mild sedative, and tones the nervous system. It is anti-spasmodic as well, relaxing the muscles throughout the body.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) Lemon Balm’s phytochemicals contain many properties that work well with the body’s nervous system to calm and relieve pain.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) Catnip is antispasmatic and contains aromatic compounds that relieve soothe the nerves which relax the body.
Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) Lavender is known for it’s relaxing and calming effects on the mind and body.
DIY Stress Reliever Tea
Ingredients:
- 2 TBS passion flower
- 2 TBS chamomile
- 1 TBS lemon balm
- 1 TBS catnip
- 1/2 TBS lavender
Directions:
Step 1: Mix all the herbs in a jar with a lid and shake well to combine.
To brew: Add one teaspoon of the tea to a tea strainer. Cover with boiling water and allow to steep for at least 10 minutes.
After the kids go to bed I always have a cup of herbal tea. I’ll have to try this!
Are all of these herbs pregnancy safe?