Description
A good night’s sleep is essential for the overall health and well-being of our bodies and minds. However, at times, sleeping can be difficult. Fortunately, nature offers us a wide range of herbs and plants with calming and relaxing properties that can help us sleep better. In this article, we will explore the properties of some of these plants, including Hemp, Lemongrass, lemon balm, cocoa beans, nettle, basil, cocoa extract, valerian, St. John’s Wort, lavender, star anise, passion flower, and hop flowers.
Hemp is a plant rich in nutrients and vitamins, but what makes it particularly interesting is its cannabinoid content, such as cannabidiol (CBD). CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anticonvulsant properties, and has also been associated with reduced anxiety and stress, two factors that can often negatively affect sleep quality.
Citronella is an aromatic herb with a fresh, citric scent, often used as an insect repellent. However, the beneficial properties of Citronella are not limited to its ability to ward off insects. In fact, this plant has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and promote more peaceful sleep.
Lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, is a delicately scented plant that grows in Europe and Asia. Lemon balm has sedative and calming properties, making it an effective natural remedy for the treatment of insomnia. In addition, this plant also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Cocoa beans are rich in nutrients and health benefits, including flavonoids, theobromine and magnesium. Cocoa beans have relaxing and calming properties, which can help reduce stress and anxiety and promote more peaceful and restful sleep.
Nettle is a plant known for its depurative and diuretic properties, but it can also be helpful in improving sleep quality. In fact, nettle has sedative and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation and muscle tension and promote more peaceful and restful sleep.
Basil is an aromatic herb commonly found in cooking, but it also has interesting medical properties. Basil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties, which can help reduce stress and anxiety and promote calmer sleep.
Cocoa extract contains theobromine, a chemical compound that can help relax muscles and promote a feeling of calm and well-being. Theobromine may also help reduce stress and improve mood, contributing to a more peaceful and restful sleep.
Valerian is a plant that has been used for centuries to treat insomnia and improve sleep quality. It contains valerenic acid, a compound that acts as a natural sedative, helping to reduce anxiety and nervousness and promoting deep, restorative sleep.
St. John’sWort, or St. John’s Wort, is known for its antidepressant properties, but it can also help improve sleep. It contains hypericin, a compound that can increase the production of serotonin and melatonin, two substances that regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
Lavender is a sweet-smelling and relaxing plant that can help calm anxiety and promote sleep. Studies have shown that inhaling lavender essential oil can reduce blood pressure and heart rate, contributing to a more relaxed feeling.
Star anise is a spice commonly used in cooking, but it can also be helpful in promoting sleep. It contains anethole, a compound that acts as a natural sedative, helping to reduce anxiety and nervousness and promoting deep, restful sleep.
Passionflower, or passion flower, is a plant traditionally used to treat insomnia and anxiety. It contains compounds such as apigenin and the flavonoid chrysin, which act as natural sedatives, helping to reduce muscle tension and promoting restful sleep.
Hop flowers are best known for their use in brewing, but they can also have calming and sedative properties. They contain lupulin, a compound that can reduce anxiety and promote deep, restful sleep.
How to prepare a perfect herbal tea
But how do we prepare a perfect herbal tea capable of perfectly manetnere all the organoleptic properties and aromas of the herbal tea we have chosen? Let’s find out together!
How to prepare our herbal tea with hot water
To prepare herbal tea with hot extraction, follow these simple steps:
- Fill the infuser with our herbal tea;
- Insert the infuser inside the herbal tea pot or mug of your choice;
- Boil water in a kettle or saucepan;
- Pour the boiling water into the container where you placed your infuser;
- Now cover with a lid or cloth and wait about ten minutes;
- remove the infuser, let it cool slightly and consume the resulting drink.
How to best store a hot extracted herbal tea
We must keep in mind that herbal teas that are hot extracted must be consumed immediately after extraction, because as they cool, an oxidation process is triggered that will result in the loss of many of the organoleptic properties and aromas that are contained in these teas.
One of the best methods o to best preserve all the properties of our hot extracted herbal tea is undoubtedly the thermos.
If you do not have a thermos flask, you can also use an herbal tea pot equipped with a warmer.
How to prepare cold herbal tea
When the warm weather arrives, no one forbids us to enjoy a fresh herbal tea, partly because let’s face it, in addition to the fresh scent it also has thirst-quenching properties and is definitely healthier than many sugary industrial sodas.
To go about making a cold extracted herbal tea, we must use the Cold Brew method, follow these simple steps:
- Fill the infuser with your chosen herbal tea;
- Fill a pitcher or bottle with cold or room temperature water;
- Introduce the infuser into the pitcher or bottle and cover it with a cloth or lid;
- Let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for three to six hours;
- remove the infuser and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
The herbal tea will keep in the refrigerator for up to seven days and will retain all its beneficial and taste properties of the ingredients you have used.
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