Name: Cozy and Calm Herbal Tea Blend
Total time: PLACEHOLDER
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons dried chamomile; 5 tablespoons dried lavender; 2 tablespoons dried passionflower; 2 tablespoons dried valerian root

Why This Recipe Works

Inspired by well-known relaxing tea blends, we sought to make our own earthy and floral nighttime drink to wind down with at the end of the day. Passionflower, which is grown in South America, has sedative properties that slow down brain activity and promote a feeling of calm. Another potent ingredient in this blend, valerian root, produces mild sedation throughout the body, decreasing anxiety and blood pressure. The valerian root can taste bitter and the passionflower is fairly grassy, so the bulk of our blend was made up of floral ingredients with pleasant aromas to mask those flavors. Dried chamomile and lavender have been used worldwide for their calming properties and sweet botanic taste, so they perfectly completed our roster of cozy ingredients while boosting overall flavor.

Before You Begin

For an accurate measurement of boiling water, bring a kettle of water to a boil and then measure out the desired amount. Dried passionflower and valerian root can be purchased at specialty tea shops, health stores, or online.

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in bowl. (Tea blend can be stored in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.)

to make one cup tea

Add 1 tablespoon tea blend to tea infuser or tea sachet. Steep tea mixture with 1 cup boiling water in teacup, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove tea infuser and serve immediately.