They strike us all now and then, those restless nights when it’s hard to get to sleep, or to return to sleep after waking in the wee hours, or the changing of the clocks alters our daily schedules. Sleeping pills exist, of course, most being drugs that cause drowsiness, but not good sleep as measured by brainwaves and such. Melatonin is a hormone we all produce in small quantities, and the amount we produce declines with age, such that a milligram or even half that may be a good nighttime supplement for people over fifty or so, or so recent studies suggest, if taken an hour or two before bedtime. Most bottled preparations are far more than that, and most young people already make sufficient melatonin, such that an extra dose does little.
What we have created here is a ritual to create calm, which includes a tea we blended from herbs known for just such purposes: Lemon balm, milky oat tops, and lavender for calming the nerves, chamomile and passion flower vine to induce sleep, a bit of catnip for relaxation, and rose petals for a sweet aroma, blended in proportions to result in a good flavor. You can add milk and honey if you like.
We’ve used this tea ourselves with good results. The effects are gentle and subtle compared with a sleeping pill, so take your time and give yourself some grace as you slowly wind down for a good night’s sleep.
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