stress relief tea, with three powerful herbs
Grab the Herbs Here: Chamomile, Ashwagandha, Holy Basil
Giving up coffee as the first drink each morning was like breaking up with a toxic lover – I ached for it, it was painful, but over time I realized – I finally feel like myself again.
Or, that might just be the Holy Basil. Either way, good morning!
Stress is exacerbated by coffee on an empty stomach, sure. But it is not where it comes from. No, stress comes from everywhere else actually – work, family, friends, chores, television and news, the list goes on. Nobody is exempt.
So how do we manage it, from a herbalist perspective? What can you do to lessen its potency on your body, help restore balance?
Would you laugh if i told you it was as simple as switching coffee for tea?
why tea, and which tea?
The health benefits of tea vary from leaf to flower, of course. But tea itself is a powerful vehicle all the same. I mean, you could even argue that coffee is tea, one of a different kind. The tea I drink each morning couldn’t be further from it.
Imagine yourself….
Waking up each morning. That crick in your shoulder is twitching again. The ghost of a stressful dream nags at you as you stumble to the kitchen, bleary-eyed, and you try to shake it off, but the impending work day makes you a little wired. You’re already stiff as you reach for the tea cabinet, and the day has hardly begun.
You brew your drink, it doesn’t take long. A little bit of honey and you’re good to go. You take a seat slowly in your kitchen, blow off some of the steam rising from your cup of calming herbal tea. A sip. Another. You finish your cup.
As the morning wears on you begin to feel the sense of impending doom relax its grip on you. You don’t feel overly warm, just a calm neutral temperative. Work sucks, sure, but it doesn’t throw you out of whack like it usually does. When you come home, you let go of the day’s stressors a little more gracefully than you did the day before.
If you are ready for this to be you, I’ve got three words for you: Chamomile, Ashwagandha, Holy Basil.
Okay, that was four words. I digress.
Follow my instructions below, where I go over the details of each herb, why it works, where to get it, and how to make the best stress relief tea there is. Balance is on its way to you.
the herbs in question
Chamomile: Even if you’ve never had tea in your life, I am sure you’ve heard of this one.
Chamomile is a gentle herb with a powerful affect. A mild sedative, chamomile is a pro at calming the nerves, settling the stomach, and reducing inflammation.
Overall, chamomile is like the cold compress on a hot summer day. Her energetics are cooling and relaxing, which is just what you want out of a stress-leeching tea. She has a wealth of other benefits as well, but for this recipe, those are the ones we are focusing on.
Ashwaganda: Don’t let the funny name fool you, Ashwagandha is a staple herb in Ayurvedic medicine.
She is a potent adaptogen: a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and balance the effects of it.
Ashwagandha has been used to successfully treat anxiety, depression, stress and exhaustion. I was prescribed this by my holistic doctor years ago, and have never looked back. One of my preferred nervine tonics, my own anxiety has been well managed by daily dosages of this wonderful plant.
Use cautiously during pregnancy, and it is contraindicated to those with extreme sensitivity to the nightshade family.
Holy Basil: Another adaptogen used in Ayurvedic medicine, twins!
Not twins, actually, but maybe sisters.
Holy basil has a strong affect on cardiovascular symptoms, and it protects the heart from stress, lowers blood pressure, and stabilizes blood sugar.
On top of all that is the real reason I like to include it daily: Holy Basil has been shown to enhance cerebral circulation, memory, concentration, and mental acuity. It is energetically cooling and drying. I love her, so much.
how to brew your tea
This depends on if you want a single cup a day, or if you would prefer to sip on a small pot throughout your morning. Either way, you need to source the herbs.
Sourcing sustainably is a foundational principle of Herbalism. I get all my herbs locally, as I am blessed to live down the street from Mountain Rose Herbs in Eugene, Oregon. If you aren’t local, don’t worry – you can order online from them.
If they aren’t your choice, another option is Frontier Herbs. I will link the herbs directly for you below:
Grab the Herbs Here: Chamomile, Ashwagandha, Holy Basil
Simple Instructions:
(Pro Tip: If you have the time and want it a little stronger, steep the ashwagandha root separately for 15–20 minutes before adding chamomile and holy basil.)
- 1 teaspoon dried chamomile flowers
- 1 teaspoon dried holy basil (tulsi) leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried ashwagandha root pieces (or powder)
- 2 cups water
- Honey or sweetener (optional)
- Boil the Water: Bring 2 cups of water to a gentle boil.
- Prepare the Herbs: Combine chamomile, holy basil, and ashwagandha in a tea strainer, teapot, or directly in your mug.
- Steep the Tea: Pour the hot water over the herbs and let them steep for 8–10 minutes.
- Strain and Sweeten: Strain out the herbs, or remove your tea strainer, then add honey or sweetener if desired.
conclusion
Brewing a cup of chamomile, holy basil, and ashwagandha tea is how I like to go about creating a moment of calm and self-care in a busy day.
Each ingredient brings its own unique benefits: chamomile soothes, holy basil balances and sharpens, and ashwagandha rejuvenates. Together, they create a harmonious blend that nurtures both mind and body, wicking away the stress of your day, promoting balance in your soul. Whether you’re looking to unwind, find focus, or simply enjoy a naturally grounding ritual, this tea is a perfect companion. So take a deep breath, sip slowly, and let the warmth of this blend carry you to to a happy place!
Grab the Herbs Here: Chamomile, Ashwagandha, Holy Basil
what herbal mix do you take to relieve stress? comment below!
