Goodnight, Moon

Ingredients:

Organic oatstraw
Organic hops flowers
Organic passionflower
Organic chamomile blossoms
Organic lavender
Peaches
Roasted almonds
*Sweet marjoram
Organic coriander

*grown by Seed of Life. Everything grown here is from non-GMO seeds and raised without the use of any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

What’s in the tea?

This tea begins with an oatstraw base. Oatstraw is the leaves and stalks of the oat plant, and is full of supportive nutrients, trace minerals, and vitamins. It’s also a calming herb for the central nervous system. Hildegard of Bingen, a Benedictine abbess of the Middle Ages who was well-known as a healer, called oatstraw her “happiness herb” and herbalists today would have to agree. It does best when used daily.

Passionflower and hops flowers then join this nourishing grass, offering a gentle sleep aid. Passionflower is known to encourage restful sleep, and does well alongside of hops. Hops flowers have a sedative quality, though this is not nearly as strong in the dried flowers as in the fresh ones. In this blend, what they do best is relax the central nervous system. They have a quieting effect on that jumble of thoughts that so often stays whirling in the mind at the end of the day. They also help calm tension in the digestive system, which is important for good sleep, especially if you are someone who feels negative emotions in your stomach.

Chamomile and lavender, both calming florals, soften the bitter edge of the hops flowers, and peach pieces bring freshness. Sweet marjoram, though not a traditional tea choice, brings a warm, herbal sweetness to this blend without tasting sweet. Roasted almonds bring some warm depth, and a pinch of coriander accents the fresh peach flavor.

You made it through another day! Rest those weary feet of yours and wrap this herb garden around your shoulders. Sleep well.

 

Steeping guidelines:

1 full tablespoon tea to 8 ounces water
Water temp: 206 – 212
Steep time: 8-10 min.

A note on steeping guidelines: If you feel in need of a more medicinal drink, double the amount of tea. 

 

Tea Story:

I’ve experimented with various herbs for sleep blends over the years, and hops flowers are a favorite. They have a strong flavor which is, shall we say, interesting? I played with this blend for some time, trying to bring the flavors together in a way that accented the beauty of this strong herbal. My personal tea cupboard still carries jars of this blend in its various forms. Goodnight Moon is the final result. I would consider it to have the most medicinal taste of all my tea blends, but it feels so nourishing to drink. It pairs well with a favorite book of poetry, and a drizzle of honey to sweeten the hoppy-ness if you like.

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on;
and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”
-William Shakespeare

Please note: All statements regarding the healing properties of the plants in this blend have not been evaluated by the FDA. This tea is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. All ingredients are clearly listed. Do your research, use caution, and please consult a doctor if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications. While these herbs are generally considered safe, each body is different. Some herbals may interact adversely with certain medical conditions or medications. Take your tea with care.