Secret Bedtime Tea Recipe Revealed: Does lavender and chamomile help you sleep? and How to make Secret Bedtime Tea

Why does Lavender make me sleep?

Lavender works to calm your anxiety. It connects with neurotransmitter GABA to relax the brain to dive into its silence mode. Study shows that Lavender increased slow-wave of sleep, reduce anger and relax muscles.

Lavender originated in the western Mediterranean and Arabians are believed to have been the first to domesticate the flowering shrubbery.  The Romans later spread the growing and cultivation of the plant across Europe. The Pilgrims brought lavender to America. Lavender was also one of the first plants brought to Australia in the 1800’s.

Many herb gardens contain garden grown or container grown lavender. Lavender is grown in somewhat alkaline soil, in a sunny location with good drainage. It is one of Top 10 best herb that supports deep sleep.

Lavender’s essential oils act as a tranquilizer to calm the central nervous system, making it highly effective as an herbal remedy for insomnia. The dried flowers and leaves can be brewed and drunk in a tea, or the plant’s essential oils can be extracted from the plant. Essential oils can be applied to the skin as a muscle relaxant, or the scent can be inhaled as used in aromatherapy. Since the feet are know as an area of the body that quickly absorbs topically applied products, massaging lavender oil into the feet will have a calming effect.  The essential oil can be vaporized in a vaporizer or added to a warm bath and inhaled. You can also create a sachet of the dried leaves and flowers, sprinkle with essential lavender oil, and slip it under your pillow.

Some people who apply lavender topically have experienced an allergic reaction when the oil contacts the skin.  Always conduct an allergy test on a small patch of skin to test for sensitivity prior to using a full application.

It’s also important to note that not all lavender species have the same calming effects.  Spanish lavender, for example, is used to invigorate and wake up the body.

Lavender & Mint Tea (one serving)

• 1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers (or ½ teaspoon dried)
• 1 ½ – 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves (or 2 teaspoons dried)
• 1 cup water
• Other herbs like rosemary, lemon balm or lemon verbena, or rose geranium for added flavor

How to make Lavender Tea

Is chamomile tea good before bed?

If you have those short term insomnia and need a quick fix before bed, Chamomile can be your best night buddy. Chamomile tea helps you fall asleep better and faster. It has antioxidants that generates sleep hormone and improve deep sleep cycle. 2016 study shows that those who drank Chamomile tea before bed has better sleep quality. It’s non-habit forming and decaf, therefore you can have it every night.

Matricaria camomilla, commonly called “Chamomile”, is native to southern and central Europe.  This flowering plant is now widely grown in the United States, Argentina, Australia, Egypt and northern Africa.  The leaves and flowers are dried and used as tea, either in teabags or in loose tea form.

For centuries, chamomile has been used as a sleep-promoting supplement. One of the benefits of using chamomile as a sleep aid is that it does not need to be taken over a long period of time to be effective.  Chamomile can be used to treat anxiety and insomnia on the spot.

There are a few ways to use chamomile.  It can be placed in a sachet under the pillow.  Try brewing a tea and drink it 30-45 minutes prior to going to sleep. Chamomile is most effective in treating transient (or mild) insomnia.

The naturally occurring chemical in chamomile that promotes drowsiness and encourages sleep is called chrysin. Chrysin is also found in passion flower (Passiflora incarnates), which is another herbal sleep aid and anxiety reducer.If you find your insomnia is due to congestion and/or allergies, chamomile works as anti-histamine to reduce swelling from allergies and help you sleep better.  However, chamomile can create a similar allergic reaction to that of ragweed and other plants in the same family like aster or chrysanthemum.  Avoid taking chamomile if you have these allergies.

Chamomile Tea Recipe (one serving)

• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon dried chamomile flowers
• lemon juice
• honey

How to make Chamomile Tea

Does lavender and chamomile help you sleep?

Bedtime tea always included ingredients that have sleepy effect like chamomile, lavender or valerian root. These herbs help reducing stress and calm anxiety for insomniac. It gently relax your mind and body to Sleep mode.

Find out more bedtime tea Top 10 Bedtime tea that will help you fall asleep fast.