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Herbs & Cultures

Curanderismo of northern Peru →

Manzanilla for the nerves

Chamomile tea before bed, the best-selling herb at the markets of northern Peru.

Traditional use

Time
10 minutes
Makes
1 cup
Chamomile

At the herb markets of Trujillo and Chiclayo, manzanilla is the best-selling herb. According to Bussmann and Sharon, people in northern Peru use it for nerves, sleeplessness, heartbreak, stomach cramps and coughs. A cup of warm chamomile tea before bed is the simplest use.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp dried chamomile flowers (or a chamomile tea bag)
  • 250 ml boiling water
  • Optional: a little honey

Step by step

  1. Pour the boiling water over the chamomile.
  2. Cover, steep for 5–10 minutes and strain.
  3. Drink warm, half an hour before bed.

Tips

  • At the markets chamomile is often mixed with other calming herbs, such as lemon balm.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 19

    Chamomile

    Matricaria chamomilla (Duitse kamille)

    Flowers are used in teas and topical or oral products. Reliable evidence is insufficient for most claimed conditions.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.