Infusions to combat stress and internal tension

For thousands of years, humans have turned to medicinal plants to regain serenity. Calming infusions are a great support in case of stress, nervousness, inner tension and sleeping problems.

You can increase the positive effect of medicinal plants by taking your time with the preparation and once ready, sit down, take a deep breath and consciously enjoy your infusion.

In this way, drinking the infusion can become a ritual of disconnection from worries to can help you relax more quickly.

Many of the calming infusions known today date back to antiquity to popular knowledge and the lore of religious women like Hildegard von Bingen. she recommended commit to a medicinal plant and create a ritual.

Next we propose three different plants to make calming infusions. Of course you can also mix different plants according to your taste.

3 calming infusions

1. Relaxing lavender infusion

Some appreciate the bright purple flower for its intense aroma, others for its healing properties. Lavender helps with tension, exhaustion, nervousness, and anxiety. The aromatic infusion reduces blood pressure, balances the nerves and helps to fall asleep.

The plant is native to northeast Africa and the Mediterranean basin, but has long since conquered gardens and hearts around the world.

Elaboration:

For a cup (approximately 250 milliliters) of lavender infusion you need about two teaspoons of dried flowers. Avoid boiling the water due to the volatility of essential oils. A water temperature of around 80 degrees is sufficient. Depending on how intense you want your brew to taste, you can let it steep for three to ten minutes.

To reduce stress in everyday life, you can also use lavender essential oil. Only massage your temples with it and enjoy the effect.

2. Lemon balm as a calming infusion

Lemon balm was already used as a medicinal plant by the Greeks and Romans. Is very effective to combat restlessness and sleep disorders and also have an antispasmodic effect.

In addition to essential oils, these effects are also due to bitter substances and tannins containing. If you are lucky enough to have a garden with lemon balm growing in it, be sure to harvest it before it blooms.

Elaboration:

For 250 milliliters of lemon balm infusion you need two teaspoons of dried leaves. You can also use fresh lemon balm; in these cases add a little more quantity. Due to the volatile essential oils, it is better not to boil the water. Putting it at 80 ºC is more than enough. Let the infusion stand for about ten minutes. You can safely drink several cups a day.

If you take thyroid hormone, it is better not to take lemon balm infusion, since interactions can occur.

Infusion of St. John’s wort to calm

St. John’s wort or St. John’s Wort is a medicinal plant with a wide range of applications. Helps with depressed moods, anxiety, mood swings, and sleep disorders. This happens thanks to the active ingredient hypericin.

The plant blooms from June to September, so you can also collect and dry it (without fleecing it!). You can use both the leaves and the flowers.

Elaboration:

For one cup (about 250 milliliters) of St. John’s Wort infusion, you need two teaspoons of the dried plant. Pour boiling water over the plant and let it steep for ten minutes. You can have one cup in the morning and one in the evening every day.

Like most antidepressants, St. John’s wort needs time to fully develop its effects. That’s why it is best to drink the infusion regularly over a period of several weeks. If you don’t feel any improvement after two weeks, see your doctor.

Since the infusion only contains small amounts of the active ingredient, you can also use St. John’s wort extract. However, since extracts have higher doses can cause interactions with other medications (especially the birth control pill). You should talk to your doctor before taking it. Pregnant women and children should refrain from using it.

Other calming plants

Mother nature has many other more plants up your sleeve to calm you down:

Since everyone reacts individually and preferences are different, it is best for everyone to try the different plants and see the effect on themselves. Another option is to combine calming plants with others that improve mood, such as:

Using dry or fresh plants depends entirely on each one. In case of using them fresh, as a general rule, double the amount listed in dry form.

You can collect many plants yourself, but you can also buy them at herbalists. Make sure that your plants come from organic farming so that they are completely free of chemical impurities.