A cup of American skullcap tea to take the anxiety away...this herb is known as a nervous system nourisher. Like oatstraw, it is supposed to help strengthen nerves. It seems to help promote a calmer attitude when I drink three or four cups during the week. Less stress is, in my opinion, one of the first steps to really improving your quality of life. Make the effort with a simple cup of herbal tea!
Like many of nature's anti-stress herbs, drink your skullcap tea in moderation and avoid if pregnant. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some American skullcap has been contaminated by other plants that have a connection with liver problems. To be safe, don't just purchase processed skullcap products unless you trust your source. I stick with Mountain Rose Herbs for organic herbs.
Drinking skullcap is great for relieving stress-related headaches, anxiety, and irritability. David Hoffmann's Illustrated Holistic Herbal mentions easing pre-mentrual tention and renewing the central nervous system as some of skullcap's benefits. It doesn't exactly have the best flavor (bitter!). It can be delicious still. I have become used to the taste and actually look forward to the scent and the soothing feeling for my mind and my digestive system. To enjoy your relaxing herbal infusion, steep one teaspoon of dried skullcap leaves and one teaspoon of peppermint leaves. The mint helps to balance the bitterness. Skullcap also blends well with valerian root. You can mix equal parts of all three herbs and then store in a colored glass jar for your own supply of incredibly calming, anti-stress herbal tea. At the end of the day this is a nerve nourishing way to help your body unwind. If you have any good skullcap tea recipes, please share! This is one of my favorite calming herbs.
photo: iStockphoto/Chris Gramly
Autumn is around the corner, time for a warming aromatherapy bath recipe made with comforting essential oils. Fall is the time of year to enjoy being cozy and warm and 
to appreciate what is around you. There is nothing that instills the warmth of hearth and home in your psyche more than a great essential oil blend and steaming mineral waters.
My autumn aromatherapy bath uses a blend of grounding and uplifting essential oils and mineral rich sea salts:
- 1 cup sea salt crystals
- 4 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 4 drops patchouli essential oil
- 4 drops bergamot essential oil
- 4 drops neroli essential oil
- 2 teaspooons carrier oil such as olive or apricot kernel
Add the essential oils to your carrier oil. Stir into the sea salts. Pink Himalayan crystal bath salts work well for this autumn aromatherapy blend. They are packed with trace minerals and they are a perfect fall rose color. Use a fine grain for faster dissolving. Mix into your very hot bath water and then slip into the tub once the water is bearable. Dim the lights, play your meditation music, and breathe. This is a great way to welcome autumn with serenity.
Cedarwood is good for nervous tension, and if you have any arthritis pain creep up during the colder months, a cedarwood and mineral salt bath is a good therapeutic relief option. Patchouli is another woody, comforting essential oil, but it is also really uplifting. Its a classic feel-good oil. Bergamot and neroli are two of the softer citrus oils, perfect for dissolving anxiety and stress.
Move over green tea and mate, the new healthy coffee alternative has made its way onto our mainstream shelves. It is guayusa. Packed with antioxidants (it has twice the ORAC antioxidant value of green tea products), it is a promising potential super food. With only 24 mg of caffeine for a cup of Runa guayusa tea this Amazonian plant crushes a typical cup of coffee (95mg) if you are looking for a boost of energy but not the high caffeine intake.
For me, one of the best ways to prevent tension and stress from ever manifesting on a day to day basis is to drink less coffee or to skip it altogether. I love coffee, the smell, the taste, the comfort, and will probably always enjoy a cup on most mornings, but shifting to tea during the afternoon helps me to feel productive and energized, even after a pasta lunch, with no coffee crashes or jitters.
Guayusa vs. Green Tea
I am a loyal fan of green tea, especially matcha, but I also love trying something new, especially when it comes to soothing, hot drinks. Guayusa is not actually new. It is an ancient brew, shared with the world by the indigenous people of the Ecuadorian Amazon. It has more antioxidants than your average cup of green tea, although it probably has a comparable amount of free radical fighting power as a cup of matcha. It is much easier to make than matcha; pour hot water over tea bag and wait a few minutes, or even a delicate cup of green or black tea, which you have to be careful not to over brew to avoid those tannic, bitter notes.
What about the flavor? Well, I have yet only tried the Runa peppermint and guayusa blend (no, no one treated me to a sample), so I am probably tasting a lot of the peppermint. From behind the minty flavor veil, I would say guayusa is much richer than green tea, with a very clean, green taste.
If you haven't tried guayusa tea, then make yourself a cup. It is a great alternative to coffee if you are interested in cutting down on your caffeine intake but still want the boost of energy and clarity, and the ritual of sipping your hot drink of choice during the day.
Whether you have stress-driven soreness or you spent too many hours at the gym yesterday, this muscle soothing bath recipe can help. I blend calming, anti-inflammatory essential oils with those amazing magnesium sulfate crystals that are a dream for relieving muscle soreness, a stiff neck, and minor back pain; epsom salts! Yes I advocate them all the time, but they are inexpensive and amazing.
Eucalyptus has a warming effect when it comes to bathing for muscle soreness. It stimulates blood flow and quickly eases aches and pains. I also love the aroma of eucalyptus. I actually use it to make a homemade after-cooking-dinner room freshener. Eucalyptus combined with peppermint, you get the perfect combination of warming and cooling. Mint cools, refreshes, and revitalizes. Adding it to your bath is a great way to relieve soreness while also helping your mind focus; perfect for reading after your bath. I keep the peppermint dose low, while non-irritating, I find menthol to be a little too much. I also add chamomile essential oil to this mix. The scent is really overpowered by the eucalyptus and mint, but you still get the anti-inflammatory benefits of this essential oil.
To make this muscle soothing bath, you will need:
- 8 drops chamomile essential oil
- 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 3 drops peppermint essential oil
- 1 teaspoon carrier oil, such as sweet almond, sesame, or avocado
- 2 cups epsom salts
Run very hot bath water. While it is filling, stretch your muscles, hydrate with a cup of juice or water. Swirl in the epsom salts. Two cups seems like a lot, but with muscle soreness, you want a lot. Add the essential oils to the teaspoon of oil and then add this to your bath water right before getting in (wait until the water cools to a tolerable temperature for you). Try to stay in the water for at least 20 minutes to really get the benefits. Relax after your bath and sip some herbal tea, juice, or water. You will sweat with two cups of epsom salts, so rehydrate!
Sit back and relax this summer with a cool, fragrant glass of iced passion flower tea. This herb is great for calming the nerves and really allowing you to enjoy the sultry days of summer. According to The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal by David Hoffmann, passion flower has sedative, hypnotic, anti-spasmodic, and nervine benefits. Try one of these recipes, take a sip, and relax.
Tropical Passion Juice
- 1 teaspoon dried passion flower leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried chamomile blossoms
- 1 cup mango juice
Brew the herbal infusion with the passion flower and chamomile and two cups of boiling water, infusing for a full ten minutes, covered. Let the tea cool to room temperature. Fill your glass with ice. Pour half of the mango juice and half of the tea. Store the leftover in the refrigerator or share with a friend.
Strawberry Passion Smoothie
- 1 teaspoon dried passion flower leaves
- 1/2 cup sliced strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
- 5 or 6 ice cubes
Brew your calming passion flower tea and let it cool. Throw all ingredients in the blender. Blend for a full 30 seconds. Sip through a colorful straw.
Iced Passion Mojito
- 1 teaspoon dried passion flower leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried mint leaves
- 1-2 tablespoons honey, depending on how sweet you would like your drink
- juice from one lime
This is an amazing twist on a classic summer cocktail. Brew the passion flower mint tea with two cups of water, steeping for about 10 minutes. Melt the honey in your tea while the water is still hot. Cool the infusion in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Pour over ice and squeeze in the juice of a lime. Stir. Garnish with a mint leave. Serves two.
Making homemade aromatherapy bath salts is remarkably easy. Make them for yourself, we all deserve a little luxury. They also make excellent gifts, especially if you use pretty pink Himalayan sea salt or vibrant Hawaiian salts and cool glass jars. You can re-purpose jelly jars to make your bath salt mixes a little more eco-friendly.
What are the benefits? Well, aside from the instant stress and tension melting from soaking in an aromatherapy bath, you get a dose of minerals from the salts. This is why you do want to use high quality sea salts and epsom salts, nothing processed! This is one of the big reasons that I am such a big fan of epsom salt baths, the magnesium and sulfates, which are both important anti-aging minerals. Magnesium helps to prevent calcification and sulfur (found in onions, garlic, and eggs), helps to 'protect against the harmful effects of radiation and pollution,' thus slowing the aging process (Balch's Prescription for Nutritional Healing). I don't know how effective my idea is, but I figure epsom salt baths are a win-win. They are relaxing, I sweat out a few toxins, and they do really help with sore, stiff muscles.
Here is the basic recipe for aromatherapy bath salts and a few suggestions for different essential oil combinations. You will love having plenty of ready-to-use salts for luxurious baths on hand; so much better than paying $15 or $25 dollars for a small container of aromatherapy salts. Plus, you get to have fun with the ingredients.
To make natural bath salts, you will need:
- 2 cups epsom salts
- 2 cups coarse sea salts
- 1 tablespoon jojoba, sweet almond, apricot kernel, or any other carrier oil that you have around
- 20-25 drops essential oil
- 1 cup milk powder (optional)
First combine the epsom salts and sea salts. Add your blend of essential oils to the tablespoon of oil. Then, stir this super fragrant oil into your salts until well-mixed. If using the milk powder (try goat's milk or coconut milk powder), add to the initial salt mixture. Fill your jars. Seal tightly. Label. Essential oils do degrade over time when exposed to light, heat, etc, so don't be afraid to use your salts quickly.
Essential oil blends for aromatherapy baths:
Calming:
- 10 drops lavender
- 8 drops chamomile
- 7 drops neroli
Rejuvenating:
- 10 drops sandalwood
- 10 drops frankincense
- 5 drops carrot seed
To clear the mind:
- 5 drops geranium
- 5 drops peppermint
- 5 drops clary sage
- 5 drops rosemary
Uplifting:
- 10 drops bergamot
- 10 drops rose
- 5 drops jasmine
Swirl a full cup of your blended salts and essential oils into running bath water.
Nothing calms me, body and mind, like a hot soak in fragrant waters. For me, this is the best meditation preparation technique; to melt away my worries and concerns with a sandalwood bath. If you are new to meditation or have trouble relaxing and entering a meditative state, then get a little help with this bath recipe. Relax in the tub for 15 minutes, slip into a comfortable towel or robe, get into your relaxed position, put on your meditation cd's, and go for it.
Sandalwood is one of the best essential oils for meditation. It is warming and grounding, which helps to create feelings of serenity and security. The centering properties of sandalwood are perfect for preparing the mind for meditation. I combine sandalwood with cedarwood, for strengthening and comfort, and lavender for the gentle, calming effect.
To make this meditation bath, you will need:
- 7 drops sandalwood essential oil
- 2 drops cedarwood
- 3 drops lavender
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Add the essential oils to your carrier oil. Sesame is great, but you can also use sweet almond, avocado, or even virgin olive oil. Disperse into warm bath water. Dim the lights, or if you have a few aromatherapy candles use them to set a more relaxing space. Enjoy your meditation bath for about 15 minutes. Sip some water, herbal tea, or room temperature juice when you get out. Make sure you are comfortable and start meditating.
Chamomile tea is a calming herbal tea classic, great for relieving stress, but do you know that it has a few other wellness benefits? Find out why you should sip a therapeutic cup of this apple blossom aromatic infusion for your
health, unless of course you have a ragweed allergy!
1. Eases digestion
A cup of chamomile is a great natural digestive aid. These daisy like blossoms are rich in volatile oils that can help to relax and reduce indigestion and gas. Drink after heavy meals to soothe your stomach.
2. Insomnia remedy
With sedative properties, chamomile is good for promoting restful sleep. A double bag of tea after a warm lavender and chamomile bath is a dream formula for perfect sleep.
3. Diminishes headaches
Calming, but also an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory, this is a great go to herb for tension headaches. I brew a cup when I notice that a headache is creeping up.
4. Fighting a cold
Chamomile has long been known to have antiseptic benefits. Could drinking this tea help your body defend itself from bacterial infections? According to research published in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, drinking five cups a day for two weeks increases the level of phenolics in the body - these compounds exhibit antibacterial activity. Five cups of any one tea may be too much for anyone, but there is no harm enjoying a golden, fragrant infusion from time to time during cold season.
5. Menstrual cramps
This herb may be particularly beneficial for women. The same research also found increased levels of glycine in the body after drinking chamomile; glycine is an amino acid that relieves muscle spasms.
6. Body aches
Try soaking in a chamomile and epsom salt bath while you have a stiff neck or other aches and pains. I add three tablespoons to a muslin tea bag and add to bath water, while the hot water is running. You can also use three or four chamomile tea bags. Swirl in a cup of epsom salts and relax.
7. Puffy eyes
Cooled, used chamomile tea bags are an amazing remedy for puffy, tired eyes. Brew your tea and then throw the bags in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Placed over closed eyes for 15 minutes. This reduces inflammation and swelling, and it feels great.
Add some chamomile benefits to your world. Whether you soak in fragrant, gentle chamomile waters, sip a warm cup of tea, or even have fun making delicious chamomile smoothies, this is a great herb to make a part of your life.
Warm milk and nutmeg makes a delicious, creamy sleep aid. Milk mixed with aromatic spices to treat the mind and body veers into the realm of Ayurvedic medicine. This natural insomnia remedy is, in my opinion, a treat. It takes a minute to prepare, but on those cool, rainy nights, it is a mystic drink to sip before slipping off to sleep.
A word on nutmeg benefits and risks. This fragrant spice has quite a few interesting properties. Gently calming, it is a fantastic remedy for late night restlessness, aka, insomnia. It is warming and stimulating. Rich in volatile oils, nutmeg helps to relieve stomach problems like gas and indigestion. It also has hallucinogenic properties and can be toxic in large doses. As lovely as the aroma is and as delicious as a nutmeg milk can be, this is a sleep aid that probably shouldn't be given to children. Taking more than one teaspoon will likely make you feel sick and it can be dangerous in large quantities.
That being said, here is my warm milk and nutmeg recipe:
- 1 cup milk, soy milk, or almond milk
- 1/2 teaspoon powdered nutmeg
- pinch of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
- 1 teaspoon water
Add the spices to your mug (I warm my cup with hot water to start). Add just enough water to make a paste. Slowly heat your choice of milk to just under boiling and then pour over the nutmeg and cinnamon paste. Stir well and let the drink cool to a reasonable temperature. Sip and enjoy as you drift off to a peaceful sleep.
Chamomile and lavender is the quintessential calming flowers combination. This is one of my favorite soothing bath recipes. I love the fragrance, the color, the cleansing feeling of chamomile and lavender against my skin, and I love the deep relaxation.
Start with very hot water to infuse your herbs, but then let the water cool to a comfortable temperature. I also add sweet almond oil to this recipe to moisturize and soften - I feel like a gleaming flower blossom when I get out!
Chamomile and lavender bath recipe:
- 2 tablespoons dried chamomile blossoms
- 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
- 1 tablespoon lavender flower powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
- 2 drops spearmint essential oil
Add the dried herbs to a muslin tea bag and tie shut. Hang this bag over the faucet so the water runs over it or simply put in your tub as the hot water is filling. Add the lavender powder while the bath is filling and disperse well. Finally, swirl in the sweet almond and spearmint. Soak for at least 15 minutes to get the full serenity effect. Repeat indulgence as desired!
Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Herbal Tea is probably one of the most well-known and well-loved late night brews. This relaxing bath recipe is inspired by this classic herbal infusion of chamomile, lemongrass, spearmint, tilia, orange blossom, blackberry leaves, and rosebuds. I use a combination of dried chamomile and lemongrass as well as essential oils of spearmint, neroli, and rose.
Chamomile calms your nerves while lemongrass eases tension and uplifts your mood. Neroli is one of my favorite essential oils to use in aromatherapy baths. It has a subtle scent and a wonderful soothing effect on the mind. Spearmint is great for clarifying your thoughts. Rose is another of nature's stress relievers, and the aroma is perfect for rounding out this bath with soft floral notes. To get the most out of this serenity soak, keep your
bathroom door and shower curtain closed to hold in the fragrant sleepy time scent.
For my sleepy time bath recipe, you will need:
- 1 tablespoon dried chamomile
- 1 tablespoon dried lemongrass
- 5 drops neroli essential oil
- 3 drops spearmint essential oil
- 2 drops rose essential oil
- 1 cup milk
Place the dried herbs in a muslin bag and drop into the bath tub while the water is running to infuse the herbs. Meanwhile, add the essential oils to a cup of milk. Swirl into the bath right before slipping in. Step into your tension melting sleepy time bath. Close your eyes, drink in the aroma, and relax.
J'adore matcha. Of course with summer on the horizon I've been enjoying a few fantastic green tea smoothies. And now I've finally taken the rejuvenation plunge; the matcha green tea bath soak. Yes, it's luxurious, maybe too good for words. Matcha is refined, concentrated, and a bit expensive, but bathing in bright green waters, well you have to try it at least once in life.
The matcha bath benefits
I did feel energized after this lovely green soak. It is not the best bed time ritual, but it is great for an evening mind body renewal treatment before studying or getting some late night work done. Don't worry, you won't feel a caffeine jolt, any green tea drinker knows the subtle awakening effects of tea.
As matcha is very high in antioxidants, this is a great treatment for skin rejuvenation and protection. Green tea antioxidants have anti-aging benefits written all over them. Over a decade ago science verified that the polyphenols in green tea have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer benefits. Opening your pores with hot water, boosting stimulation with epsom salts, and exposing your permeable skin to green tea, hmmm, sounds tantalizing....
So I tried it. Here is my matcha green tea bath recipe:
- 1 cup epsom salts
- 3 heaping tablespoons matcha powder
- 4 drops peppermint essential oil
Swirl everything into hot bath water. Dim the lights. Prepare your cup of matcha to drink and soak for a good 20 minutes. Warning - matcha residue will make your tub look pale green. Rinse and wipe with a cloth after your bath and after-bath rest for easy clean-up.
These calming bath recipes are for all the ladies out there who could use a little R&R and some natural PMS symptom relief. For the irritability, tension, cramps, and mood swings, try soaking in the soothing waters of one of these PMS bath recipes. A hot soak in itself is also great for easing cramps and back pain.
Comforting bath for menstrual cramps
- 4 drops sweet marjoram
- 2 drops cedarwood
- 2 drops Roman chamomile
- 1 cup epsom salts
Add the essential oils to the epsom salts. Swirl into bath water with your hand. This blend is excellent for relieving menstrual cramps, easing tension, and strengthening your spirits.
PMS bath recipe for mood swings
- 3 drops rose
- 3 drops sandalwood
- 3 drops myrrh
- 1 cup milk
Add the rose, sandalwood, and myrrh essential oils to a cup of milk, cream, or milk powder. This is a perfect soak for balancing emotions and lifting that heavy cloud that can sometimes come with PMS. Tip* keep the shower curtain closed while soaking to contain the aroma molecules.
Tension bath recipe
- 4 drops neroli
- 3 drops geranium
- 1 drop lemon balm (can cause irritation, low-dose appropriate)
- 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
Use the sweet almond oil as a carrier for your essential oils. Disperse into running bath water, soak, and enjoy.
If you love these aromatherapy baths and want to learn more about essential oils, this is one of the best aromatherapy reference books out there:The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy
Who doesn't have trouble falling asleep from time to time? These are my favorite teas that help you fall asleep. They are all gentle, calming, and mildly sedating. A cup or two in the evening is the perfect potion to calm those racing thoughts and nagging worries that can keep you up at night.
1. Catnip
Have you ever tried catnip tea? It is on the top of my trouble sleeping herbal tea list due to its gentle nature — catnip is often recommended for kids. This herb helps to promote sleep with its sedative properties. It's also great for an upset stomach. Catnip is a member of the mint family. Blend one teaspoon each of dried catnip and dried mint leaves. Steep, covered, for about 10 minutes and finish with a sliver slice of lemon.
2. Oatstraw
You've may have heard me say this before, but I just really love oatstraw. Maybe because of its pureness. Its a nerve nourisher, not really a sedative. The more you drink it the stronger your nervous system, the more capable the body is to deal with stress.
3. Passionflower
According to WebMD, passionflower used to be sold in the US as a sleep aid, but was taken off the market in the late 70s because of lack of testing. You can still get it from any natural food, herb, or tea shop and it is found in plenty of herbal tea blends. Traditional Medicinals has a great organic night time tea blend
that features passionflower, chamomile, catnip, and lemon verbena.
4. Valerian
Valerian root is another sedating herbal option. I actually like valerian tea on its own — no honey, lemon, or other herbs. You can drink a cup in the afternoon and another before bed for a great night's rest.
5. Chamomile
Chamomile is not necessarily the most powerful calming herb, but it has the best flavor (think aromatic apple blossoms while sipping). Most people have some in their cupboard. Also, chamomile blends well with other herbs like catnip, linden, passionflower, and lavender.
6. Kava kava
This is a really interesting herb, and the strongest on the list. UMM warns of some concern over liver damage associated with use in rare cases, so all I will say is that kava tea is an option, but talk to your doctor first. I drink the Yogi tea version, which blends kava with a few aromatics; cinnamon, ginger, and cardamon. Seriously though, only use if you don't drink alcohol (this destroys your liver) and you don't regularly take medications. I know a lot of people take antidepressants, anti-anxiety, etc., if you do, or any other drugs for that matter, choose an alternative tea from this list such as oatstraw or catnip and discuss your well-being with your doctor. If your doc doesn't know much about herbs, talk to a licensed naturopath.
I love linden tea! I do admit, I am new to the tilo tea train. It's really not that popular in the States, but it is a regular herbal brew in other countries, especially France. Try it as a late evening, after dinner calming tea instead of chamomile or mint and sip a little bit of soft, sweet heaven.
Linden, which is basically dried lime blossoms, has a long history in European folk medicine as a digestive aid and a treatment for anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. It is also said to be good for elevated blood pressure and insomnia. I drink it because it's calming, quaint, and perfect in herbal tea blends.
My handy natural healing encyclopedia (Shealy's Healing Remedies) says that long-term use helps with stress tolerance by supporting the nervous system. UMM lists linden as an antispasmodic, sedative, and diuretic which may help with coughs, headaches, and infections.
How to make the perfect cup of linden tea?
- Use high-quality, properly stored dried flowers. Stale, dissolved herbs in this case are not a good idea, according to Shealy's encyclopedia, they can be a bit narcotic. Store your linden blossoms in an airtight container, out of the sun and warmth.
- Boil a cup or two of fresh water.
- Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herb, or of course just a simple tea bag, per cup of water for five minutes, covered. Sip, enjoy. Not great with milk, wonderful with orange blossom honey.
Linden tea recipes
Tilo is fragrant, with a fresh, slightly sweet taste.
- Blend with passion flower in equal parts for a homemade sleepy time tea.
- Pour a cup of cooled linden tea into the blender with a few ice cubes, the juice of one lime, and one cup (total) of cubed melon and cucumber, and a big teaspoon of honey for a refreshing summer smoothie.
- Blend with equal parts of vervain for the ultimate end of a hectic day I want to relax tea.
Refresh and unwind with a thirst quenching iced herbal tea. Chamomile and hibiscus tea blend amazingly well together for a calming warm weather drink. Throw in some fresh fruit and a few ice cubes and blend and whisk yourself away to a tropical haven with every sip.
What are the benefits of chamomile tea?
Chamomile is an herbal any day favorite for good reason. These fragrant yellow and white blossoms calm anxiety and ease digestion. According to Science Daily, researchers have found that sipping on chamomile (5 cups a day for 2 weeks) is associated with improved immune health and relaxed nerves.
What are the benefits of hibiscus tea?
This tropical flower has a tangy flavor, making it great in ice tea recipes. It is not necessarily a calming herb, but it blends well with chamomile and it is an always good for you high-antioxidant tea. According to a 2010 issue of the Journal of Nutrition, drinking 3 cups a day can significantly lower high blood pressure. Hibiscus is packed with antioxidants, making it useful for protecting your cells from damage (aka anti-aging!).
To make this soothing, antioxidant-rich blend, you will need:
- 1 tablespoon dried chamomile blossoms
- 1 tablespoon dried hibiscus flowers
- 2 quarts freshly boiled water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 strawberries
- 1/2 cup sliced mango or papaya
Brew the chamomile and hibiscus in the water for ten minutes, covered. Let cool to room temperature. Blend all ingredients in the blender. Pour into a huge cup, grab a book or magazine, and go out and enjoy the weather while sipping your soothing, fruity iced infusion.
The most luxurious and legendary of all the soothing bath recipes is the milk and honey bath. For centuries we have been stepping into these decadent baths for softer skin and sweeter thoughts. According to legend, Cleopatra bathed in milk and honey regularly. The milk bath has received a boost of interest at spas and within the serenity of our own bath tubs since Charlize Theron's magnificent milk bath scene in the 2012 film, Snow White and the Huntsman. So, how can you recreate this legendary bath?
1. Run hot water
Start with hot, not warm water. Then, let it cool to a comfortable temperature. Why so hot?! The hotter the water, the better for swirling in your ingredients.
2. Melt your honey
First, a word on honey. All of it is great. I love it not only as a bath additive, but also as a sugar substitute. Not all honey is equal. I recommend a nice jar of raw, minimally processed honey — after all Cleopatra probably wasn't soaking in the syrupy processed stuff that we 
typically use today.
For the perfect milk and honey bath, melt first. Spoon 1/2 cup into a big tea mug. Top off with boiling water and stir until melted. Raw honey is firm, so you definitely don't want to skip this step. This will allow your honey to really infuse into your bath so you can enjoy all the nourishing, moisturizing benefits.
3. Measure the milk
The more milk the better, but to keep your soak affordable and practical, 1-2 cups is enough. Use rich and creamy while milk for more softening, exfoliating, and nourishing skin benefits. You can also use milk powder, in which case a cup is plenty.
4. Swirl
Swirl the melted honey and milk into the water while it is running. Mix well using your hand, especially if using milk powder.
5. Set the scene
This is no ordinary bubble bath. Set up an idyllic atmosphere. Light your aromatherapy candles, put on your favorite calming music tracks, and set up your fresh fruit juice or herbal tea to sip after your bath. You can do this while the water cools to a tolerable temperature. Slip in, relax, meditate, and enjoy every moment.
Relax and renergize at the same time with this peppermint bath recipe. This is my soothing soak of choice when I want to calm down after a stressful day, but not go right to bed. It is perfect for when you need that combination of winding down and revitalizing in the evening.
Peppermint is the central ingredient of this bath. It is a sin qua non for relieving mental fatigue. The cooling, soothing essence of this herb also is a dream for nervous tension and headaches.
What is the secret to an effervescent soak? Peppermint + baking soda + epsom salts. Not only is this a refreshing mix, but this is also ideal for a detox bath. Use it when you are doing a 2 or 3 day juice fast to help your body get rid of more toxins.
To make this bath, you will need:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup epsom salts
- your choice of peppermint; 4 tea bags, 3 tablespoons of the dried herb in a muslin herb bag, or 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil
After soaking for 20 minutes, rehydrate! Is it overkill to sip a cup of mint tea? I don't think so. I actually start with a cup of peppermint before this bath and then drink a huge glass of mango or peach juice afterwards. If you really want to go all out, whip up a fresh cucumber, honey, mint, and lime juice smoothie for after your bath. This is amazing (and good for you) revitalizing therapy! When your feet are dragging but you still want to get a lot out of your evening, try this.
Dried valerian root is one of the most popular herbs for anxiety and for good reason. A cup of tea or even a few drops of valerian extract can help to calm anxiety right away. Despite being heavily marketed as a sleep aid. I used to drink the tea in the late afternoon to help curb stress while I was working as a waitress. The effect is not intense, but combined with a few deep breaths, a simple cup would always help me to feel sublime.
According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, valerian root has a long history as a mild sedative and an anti anxiety herb. It was prescribed in the 2nd century in Rome for insomnia and used in the 16th century for nervousness, headaches and heart palpitations. This calming herb is even recorded as being used for stress relief in England during WWII air raids. Imagine sipping an herbal infusion in the pitch black during an air raid!
There is plenty of reason to support the use of valerian root as a sleep aid, but there have also been inconclusive studies. Also, be aware that some people have been known to become more hyperactive after taking this herb.
Try drinking a cup or two to help cope with stress and anxiety. Keep in mind that when you prepare your tea, cover while steeping so you don't lose the benefits of the volatile oils. While you may fall in love with valerian (no relationship to valium, don't worry!), it is not something that you want to necessarily drink on a daily basis in the long term. (Something like oatstraw for example works by nourishing the nervous system and it is more suitable in the long term.) Not that there are any known side effects aside from those who do become hyperactive or temporary giddiness with large valerian root dosages, but this calming herb is not solving the root of your stress and anxiety — it is merely a source of relief.
I came across a great recipe in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies, put together by C. Norman Shealy MD, PhD. As a night time tea, blend valerian root, dandelion root, and chamomile flowers. Steep about 2 teaspoons of the mixture for one cup of tea. This is amazing with a little honey and coconut milk.
Slip into the healing waters of an epsom salt bath in the comfort of your home and experience an amazing 20 minute mind body makeover. Epsom salts, which are not true salts, are conveniently found in every drugstore or corner apothecary as well as many expensive bath mixes. They are magnesium sulfate crystals, magnesium sulfate being a naturally occurring mineral combination. Pour a cup or two into hot water, it really does seem too easy, but this is all you need for an amazing, relaxing, revitalizing soak. (As with all hot baths, pregnant women and those with heart conditions are generally told to talk to their doctor before using.)
1. Ease sore muscles
Epsom salt baths are great for relieving aching, sore muscles. The magnesium, which is absorbed through the skin, helps to reduce inflammation. If you have lower back pain, a sore neck, or simply a minor sports injury, try this soothing home remedy. To relieve pain, use 2 cups of the salts per bath.
2. Reducing stress
Again, thank you magnesium; this mineral balances with calcium in the body to ensure proper nerve functioning. Making sure that you have adequate levels of magnesium in your diet is important for common problems like insomnia, depression, and anxiety. While a nourishing diet (almonds, dark leafy greens, seeds, and soy are great sources) should be your foundation, soaking in mineral rich waters is not such as bad idea to get some of the many health benefits of this mineral.
3. A remedy for headaches
Both magnesium and sulfate are great minerals to help fight headaches. If you suffer from regular tension headaches, try a nightly epsom salt bath with one cup of the crystals and 10 drops of lavender essential oil.
4. Detox bath
Epsom salts are detoxing! Soak for 20 minutes in a hot epsom bath (use 2 cups) to help flush toxins from your body. Immerse your entire body, up to your neck, and make sure the water is tolerably hot. Have a cup of juice or an herbal tea ready to drink after your soak. You will want to relax for another 20 minutes in a towel or your robe as your body will keep sweating after the soak. You also need to rehydrate!
5. Epsom salt baths are versatile and inexpensive
These perfect little crystals are efficient. They are very reasonably priced, making it easy to use a lot of the salts for little expense. You can of course look for epsom salts in soothing and detoxing bath salt mixes, but blends can be pricey and the amount of salts in a mix is usually negligible. Make your own soothing blends by adding essential oils, herbs, milks, and powders to your own epsom salts.
If you want to expand beyond the limits of bagged tea, you will have to enter into the realm of loose leaf. What do you really need to make your perfect cup of tea? Tea pots, infusers, and disposable satchets, here are the pros and cons of all your brewing options.
Tea pots for loose leaf tea
I love those little glass tea pots. You get to see the colors of your infusion while brewing and the lid helps to hold in all those beneficial volatile oils that would otherwise escape with the rising steam. Also, the liquid stays relatively warm by the time you are ready for that second cup (if you are a slow sipper however, your next cup will be lukewarm. You have about 15 minutes before the tea starts to go from pleasantly, honey melting hot to tepid). If you want to sip lingering cups of tea, you'll have to spend more than the $20 or $30 for the average glass pot and go high-end. The Berghoff glass pot
for example, comes with a really cool warmer. It is stainless steel, and uses the heat of a candle. Place under your glass pot for subtle warmth — very natural. I don't have it yet, but it is on my wish list.
The problem with glass pots is that they break. I had one for a little over one year, washed it by hand in about 90 seconds, but I did eventually break the pot, leaving me with only the infuser basket, which is really all that I need.
The best loose leaf tea infuser
The classic infuser is the mesh ball, my mother and grandmother both used one. You can buy one for a couple of dollars, wash easily, and use it 
over and over again. The cons — you can only make one cup of tea and you still need a cover — little ceramic plates work well. And, they break, really easily. For a heavy tea drinker, they are not a great option.
In mug infusers, personally I love them, even more than steeping cups. They are easy to use, easy to clean, and they last. For a great loose leaf tea infuser with a lid, Forlife has a nice model for just over 10 dollars.
Satches
Disposable tea filters are wonderful. They are convenient! Especially when you are preparing your cup of calming tea at the office. You can also use them with to go cups. They do, however, create waste and you have to keep on buying them. For the eco minded, use satchets that are compostable. Mountain Rose Herbs has nice unbleached, chlorine free paper filters.
You have a lot of infusing options with loose leaf tea. Don't feel like you need to invest in a pot, unless you drink more than one cup at a time or like to enjoy your tea with a friend. Otherwise in cup infusers are really wonderful, and satchets are your convenient, on the go option.
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What is the best calming herbal tea that you can drink? After hundreds of cups of different soothing teas, I always go back to pure and simple oatstraw. I highly recommend it if you are looking for something to help with tension and stress. Instead of getting upset or overreacting to all those frustrating stressors in life, you can kind of take an objective, calm step back and move through life more smoothly.
So, how does it work? Why is this one of the best teas? Oatstraw, avena sativa, is my favorite of all the calming teas because it is the most approachable, universal, nourishing herb. Rolled oats for breakfast and the dried tops infused in hot water before bed, that is the way to live peacefully. The stem, leaf, and milky tops of this plant are loaded with nutrients that nourish your nervous system — B vitamins, calcium, and magnesium.
Drink a cup every day to strengthen your nerves; think of it like nervous breakdown, road rage, emotional turbulence protection. I notice that I am calmer and react less to stressful situations, not necessarily after one cup, but after drinking this tea for two or three days in a row.
If you are looking for a natural aid to help you cope with stress, oatstraw is a great place to start. Unlike other calming herbal teas, this one has a great taste; soft, simple, earthy, with grassy and nutty tones. It works well with honey or milk and blends well with other calming herbs like lavender and chamomile. Oatstraw tea is also safe. I understand not everyone is comfortable with some of the stronger sedative herbs. Avena sativa is simply calming and nourishing — I give it to my kids all the time! As an added bonus, you will be helping your bones, hair, and skin with the nutritional boost (especially the calcium for bones and silicon for hair and skin). Drinking oatstraw is one of those win all around things in life.
There is nothing like slipping into the calming waters of a lavender milk bath. Whether you use powders, cream, oils, or herbs, the effects are essentially the same; the lavender soothes your mind, relieving stress and combating headaches, tension, and nervousness, while the milk moisturizes your skin, leaving you feeling absolutely soft and serene.
Making your own lavender and milk bath is easy. I like to use both lavender powder and milk powder, but you can also use essential oils, creamy milk, milk substitutes, and dried lavender. Swirl your ingredients into warm or hot waters (add essential oils right before getting in your bath) and enjoy.
To make a milk and lavender powder bath, you will need:
- 1 cup milk powder
- 2 tablespoons lavender flower powder
For best results, swirl the powders into the water while your bath is filling. This is a great recipe to mix and put into glass jars as homemade gifts.
To make a cream and lavender oil bath, you will need:
- 1 to 2 cups whole milk
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
Add the essential oil to the milk before pouring into your water.
To make a coconut milk powder and lavender bath, you will need:
- 1 tea satchet
- 2 tablespoons dried lavender
- 1 cup coconut milk powder
Add the dried herb to your tea satchet and tie shut. Let the lavender infuse into your bath while the water is filling — start with very hot water for the best infusion, and then let the water reach a comfortable temperature before entering. Swirl in the coconut powder.
Follow your skin soothing, calming treatment with a cup of lavender tea and honey!
Disclaimer
I am not a health professional, but a tea drinker! My goal is to share my experiences with teas and soothing baths. This website does not intend to diagnose or treat any disease. If you need medical advice, consult with the professionals!!!
