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Herbs & Cultures

Herbal home remedies: tea, honey, tincture and salve

Sleep tea

An evening tea with chamomile as the base.

Used for

Time
20–30 minutes
Makes
Loose herb blend
Chamomile

Chamomile with small amounts of oat straw, linden, passionflower, valerian, lemon verbena and calendula. Valerian smells strong; if you do not like it, use less.

Ingredients

  • 1 part chamomile
  • ¼ part oat straw
  • ¼ part linden blossom
  • ¼ part dried passionflower leaf
  • ¼ part valerian
  • ¼ part lemon verbena
  • ¼ part calendula
  • Honey to taste

Step by step

  1. Pour water just off the boil over the herbs, cover and steep for 15–25 minutes. Strain through a sieve lined with cheesecloth.
  2. Sweeten with a little honey if you like.
  3. Drink before going to bed.

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
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 66

    Oats

    Avena sativa

    Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 154

    Passionflower

    Passiflora incarnata

    Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 20

    Valerian

    Valeriana officinalis

    The root has a traditional association with sleep and calm. Research on insomnia is inconsistent and does not establish benefit.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 378

    Lemon verbena

    Aloysia citrodora

    Traditionally attributed effects: relaxing, helps you fall asleep.

    The Guaraní and the mate tradition+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 49

    Pot marigold (calendula)

    Calendula officinalis

    An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

These traditions know the herbs in this recipe.