We are going through a time of change, stress, and uncertainty. These times do a number on our bodies and minds, so we often look for unhealthy outlets. Alcohol, sugary snack foods, and so many other things that bring us comfort, but aren’t necessarily very nourishing to our bodies, our emotions, or our spirits. This is where we can begin to look at the little things in life. They have a much greater effect on us than we will ever realize, especially the daily rituals we have created for ourselves. Rituals such as watering the flowers, our exercise routines, and even making a simple cup of tea.
We’ve discussed herbal teas before, and I’ve even shared with you some great blends you can put together yourself. We are all aware that these teas are beneficial because of the herbs put into them, and that each herb can help in different ways. But the process of making the tea, that little ritual, can be beneficial all on its own. Living in modern civilization can be very hectic. It’s sometimes hard to make time for yourself.
Making a cup of tea is a segment of time where you can just focus on the tea and let the worries of the day fall away for just a little bit. Filling the kettle with water, bringing it to a boil, pouring the boiling water onto the herbs and letting them steep, watching as the water slowly changes color. This all takes time and can, for many people, become a meditative ritual in itself. Allowing you to take a step back and just be. This moment can be particularly helpful as we are looking to go back to work after a long quarantine. We are all worried about the state of our health right now, and a simple little ritual like this can drastically improve our outlook, and that’s all before we take a look at any of the herbs involved.
Tea can truly be an amazing tool in our daily life. Speaking of those herbs, what herbs would be most beneficial for the meditative ritual that we have created? Let’s take a look at some calming herbs that work well in tea blends.
Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia
We all know that lavender is a great herb for relaxation and anxiety. All you need to do is take a deep breath and you’ll begin to feel its effects. This herb has a history of use in aromatherapy, helping to treat hypertension and reduce blood pressure. This is due to the mild stimulating effect lavender has on the circulatory system. This little bit of stimulation helps to increase the oxygen levels in the entire body, helping to improve your overall health and helping to relieve the symptoms of anxiety. This is a great little herb to add to any relaxation or meditation ritual. Read You, Me, and Uni’s article: 5 Ways Lavender Benefits the Body and Mind.
Chamomile – Matricaria recutita
This little flower packs a mighty punch. Most of us are familiar with its relaxing effects and some of us may even drink it before bed to help with our sleep. Chamomile helps soothe and relax our digestive system and is a very mild muscle relaxant. It also helps to soothe our minds, calming down those tenacious inner voices that keep nagging us about what we have yet to accomplish, or even things we may have not finished. Not only does this help us get a better night’s sleep, but it also helps to reduce symptoms of depression and over-stimulation. Chamomile is simply perfect for your daily rituals.
Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis
The word “balm” is often used to describe something comforting, soothing, and restorative. This little herb is surely all of that. If you’ve never heard of this herb, it’s a lemon-scented member of the mint family and shares several properties with its relatives. It has been used, throughout history, to improve mood and cognitive function. However, where it shines is in its ability to reduce the effects of stress and anxiety, making it an ideal herb to add to any meditative ritual. You may even want to drink lemon balm tea just for its pleasant, slightly lemony flavor.
Mint- Mentha piperita
We often think of mint as a cooling and stimulating herb. But few people think about this herb when it comes to meditation and relaxation. However, it’s great for uplifting the mood and reducing stress, which means it’s great to add to your daily tea routine.
Tulsi (Holy Basil) Ocimum tenuifloum
This little herb is a traditional stress herb in the Ayurvedic tradition. Classified by modern herbalists as an “adaptogen.” Tulsi helps our bodies to flush out those pesky stress hormones, providing us with a gentle cleanse. It also acts to directly help reduce stress, relieving anxiety, and depression. Combined with its pleasant earthy flavor, this is a great herb to add to your tea blends.
These are just a few herbs that you may want to incorporate into your relaxing tea ritual, but you don’t have to stick to these, nor do you have to blend your own. Meditative State of Mind is a blend that is tasty and soothing, helping to reduce stress and anxiety with a blend of Mint, Lavender, Chamomile, and Moringa. It’s a great tea to use for your meditative tea ritual.
Experiment with different herbal tea combinations to find your favorites.
Trust Your Gut, Know Your Gut and Meditative State of Mind can be purchased through Amazon. For more information on You, Me and Uni, check out the website, created by Master Herbalist, Jennifer Vollbrecht. Browse the herbal tea articles on the site for more tips on adding delicious tea to your healthy lifestyle. Click here to read articles on improving digestion, dandelion tea benefits, and remedies for cold and flu season.
Anastacia Elizabeth Walden is a writer, editor and the owner of Walden Writes For Women.
