Valerian Tea

Some people forget that some of the strongest and most powerful ways to relax come from things we find in nature. Many people either don't have the time or need a quick fix. But if you can take the time to take pleasure in herbal recipes, you will find it's worth the extra time.

For my birthday this year my closest friend Katie gave me a wonderful book filled with herbal recipes and some herbs to make a valerian tea. At the time, and still now I have been going through a period in my life where I find my self extremely stressed and anxious more often than not. With no real triggers to pin point I can only assume that there is something off with my bodies balance. So I have been spending a lot of time trying to find different things to relax, hence the knit night and excessive tea habit. I have always known valerian root to be a "relaxing" herb if you will. Whenever I would go to my local herb and tea shop the owner would give her cat valeria root and the cat would almost immediately become relaxed. I've always wanted to try it but wanted to make sure I read more of the how to's in the book Katie got me before jumping in.

So I went for it and I was pleased, and relaxed.

Valerian Tea

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tsp licorice root
• 2 tsp lemon balm
• 1 tsp valerian root
• 1 1/2 cup water

1. Decoct the licorice root for 15 minutes. Do this by putting in a sauce pan with 1/2 cup cold water and heating on low till simmering.

2. Turn off the heat and add the lemon balm and valerian root. Allow to infuse for 45 minutes.

Valerian Root

Lemon Balm

Licorice Root

3. Strain and drink.

You can strain this from the pot or transfer it to a french press. My advice to you is that if you are going to use a french press, be sure to NOT use the same one you use for coffee to avoid the flavors mingling.

Easy Holiday Gift Idea: DIY Tea Bags

Here's a simple idea for everyone on your list: Package your own tea bags.


If you have lots of time on your hands, do what I did and make the entire thing from scratch from tea to bags to packages. You will need loose tea, which you can get at most stores, and press and seal tea bags, you can find them online or at a craft store. Put 1.5-2 TSP of loose tea in the tea bags and iron the bags shut.

If you have less time, you can repackage tea bags to add a personal touch.

You will need:

• glue sticks
• construction paper
• markers
• tea bags
• scissors

Steps:

1. Take a piece of construction paper and fold it in half length-wise and then again width-wise.
2. Cut along the folds to make four even rectangles.
3. Fold the edges of each rectangle approximately 1/2 inch in.
4. Fold the paper in half so that there is 1/2 inch at the top for a fold over tab.
5. Apply glue inbetween the fold to create an envelope for the tea bag.
6. If you want to, cut the excess paper from the inside of the envelope fold.
7. Draw a design on the front of the envelope or write the name of the tea you will be putting inside.
8. Place the tea bag inside the envelope.
9. Glue the edges of the inside of the tab and fold it over to seal the tea bag inside.