Spring Herbal Infusion Recipe to try at home 

At this time of year I have noticed that everyone is feeling a bit frazzled as we are beginning to transition from winter to spring. At this time of year, we need our nerves nourishing to replenish ourselves after these winter months and get ourselves ready for the spring and summer.

This infusion blend aims to help to rebalance, uplift and stimulate the nervous system. It will help us to adapt to stress, and stimulate the nervous system to help awaken and uplift mood.

Overview of herbs in the blend:

Tulsi/Holy basil:

This herb is sacred to India and is described as a rasayana in ayurvedic medicine. Herbs which are rasayanas are said to be restorative and revitalising, as well as helping to increase resistance against stress. Holy basil is an aromatic herb, due to the volatile oils it contains, which causes it to be warming and uplifting. It can be helpful in cases of cold and stagnant depression, where people are feeling a bit cold and dull in their emotions. It is also beneficial in cases of burnout and nerve weakness.

Chamomile:

This herb is a gentle sedative to the nervous system, which can be beneficial in cases where there is overstimulation of the nervous system, such as anxiety. Chamomile is a smooth muscle relaxant, which means it is great for a nervous tummy, where our agitated nerve state is causing butterflies and cramping in our tummy.

Lemon balm:

Lemon balm has been shown to have effects on the nervous system, as it is both calming and uplifting at the same time. It has been shown to enhance cognitive effects, increasing memory and concentration. Increasing cognitive functioning can help to better deal with stress, as we do not feel as mentally fatigued. Lemon balm also has anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects which can help to protect us against infections, as our immune system tends to get run down when we are stressed.

Rosemary:

This member of the mint family is a great herb for your nervous system. It has been shown to balance both halves of your autonomic nervous system, which is the part of your nervous system that is responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response.  Overall this can help reduce nervousness and intense ‘fight or flight’ reactions. Rosemary is also a great brain tonic, as it increases blood flow to the brain and helps to enhance cognitive abilities, which can help to reduce brain fog.

Here is a simple recipe to help you create your own tea blend.

Uplift and strengthen blend

Tulsi/Holy Basil - (Ocimum tenuiflorum)  - 15g

Chamomile – (Matricaria chamomilla) – 15g

Lemon balm – (Melissa officinalis) – 15g

Rosemary – (Salvia rosmarinus) – 5g

Instructions: 

Measure out all herbs individually and blend them together. Store in a dry airtight container, best kept out of direct sunlight.

How to take: 

1-2tsp in a mug of boiling water, left to steep for ten minutes.

This tea can be drunk 2-3 times per day.

Best not taken before bed, as rosemary can be stimulating and cause alertness.

 Enjoy!

Please let us know what you think! If you would like to see other recipes on specific themes, please send us an email and we shall see what we can do! 

Reference list

Chaves, P.F.P., Hocayen, P. de A.S., Dallazen, J.L., de Paula Werner, M.F., Iacomini, M., Andreatini, R. and Cordeiro, L.M.C. (2020). Chamomile tea: Source of a glucuronoxylan with antinociceptive, sedative and anxiolytic-like effects. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, [online] 164, pp.1675–1682. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.039.

Cohen, M.M. (2014). Tulsi - Ocimum sanctum: a Herb for All Reasons. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, [online] 5(4), p.251. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-9476.146554.

Ghazizadeh, J., Sadigh‐Eteghad, S., Marx, W., Fakhari, A., Hamedeyazdan, S., Torbati, M., Taheri‐Tarighi, S., Araj‐khodaei, M. and Mirghafourvand, M. (2021). The Effects of Lemon Balm ( Melissa Officinalis L.) on Depression and Anxiety in Clinical trials: a Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis. Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), pp.6690–6705. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7252.

Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H. (2020). Therapeutic Effects of Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L.) and Its Active Constituents on Nervous System Disorders. Therapeutic Effects of Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L.) and Its Active Constituents on Nervous System Disorders, [online] 23(9). doi:https://doi.org/10.22038/ijbms.2020.45269.10541.