🍵 Relaxing Infusion for Stress & Insomnia
Serves 1–2 | Prep: 5 min | Simmer: 15 min | Total: ~20 min
🛒 Ingredients
2 cinnamon sticks (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon)
4 bay leaves (laurel)
1 handful dried chamomile flowers (about 2 tbsp)
½ liter (2 cups) filtered water
Optional: 1 tbsp raw honey or maple syrup (for sweetness + soothing throat)
Optional boost: 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (balances flavor, supports detox)
🌼 Quality Tip: Use organic herbs when possible — especially chamomile, which can absorb pesticides.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Simmer the Herbs
In a small saucepan, combine:
Cinnamon sticks
Bay leaves
Chamomile
Water
Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
Reduce to a simmer and let cook 15 minutes, uncovered.
💡 Why simmer? Slow heat gently extracts calming compounds without boiling off delicate oils.
2️⃣ Strain & Serve
Remove from heat.
Strain into a teacup or mug using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
Stir in honey if desired — it also soothes irritated nerves and coats the throat.
3️⃣ Sip & Unwind
Drink 30–60 minutes before bedtime.
Sip slowly, ideally while practicing a calming habit:
Reading a book
Gentle stretching or yoga
Deep breathing or meditation
Listening to soft music
🕯️ Pro Move: Dim the lights and put away screens — this ritual is about signaling safety to your nervous system.
🌿 The Healing Power of Each Ingredient
Cinnamon
Improves circulation, balances blood sugar, has mild sedative properties
Bay Leaf (Laurel)
Reduces anxiety, supports digestion, promotes mental clarity
Chamomile
Contains apigenin, a compound that binds to brain receptors to reduce insomnia and muscle tension
Together, they create a synergy that calms the nervous system, eases physical tension, and prepares the body for deep rest.
⚠️ Important Notes & Safety Tips
🔸 Limit to 1 cup per day – Even natural remedies should be used mindfully
🔸 Not for everyone: Avoid or consult your doctor if you are:
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Taking blood thinners (bay leaf may interact)
Allergic to plants in the daisy family (chamomile caution)
On sedatives or anti-anxiety medications
🔸 Patch test first: Try a small amount to ensure no allergic reaction
🔸 Stop if you feel unwell: Natural doesn’t always mean safe for all bodies
🧘 How to Enhance the Effects
Turn this infusion into a full nighttime sanctuary ritual:
🛁 Take a warm bath before sipping
📖 Read something uplifting (no thrillers!)
🌬️ Practice 4-7-8 breathing: Inhale 4 sec, hold 7 sec, exhale 8 sec
🧸 Use a weighted blanket for added grounding
The more you pair the tea with consistent wind-down habits, the more powerfully your body will associate it with safety and sleep.
❤️ Final Thought: Rest Is Not a Luxury — It’s a Necessity
In a world that glorifies busyness, choosing to slow down with a warm cup of herbal tea is a quiet act of rebellion — and one of the most loving things you can do for yourself.
This infusion won’t erase life’s stresses. But it can help you release them, even for a few hours, so you wake up renewed.
So tonight, as the world quiets down…
Light a candle.
Brew a cup.
And let your body remember how to rest.
Because you’ve earned it. 🌙💛
