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Liora Vance

An Evening Wind-Down Tea

A gentle chamomile tea for sleep, steeped with lemon balm and a whisper of lavender. This is the cup I make in the hour before bed, to let my shoulders down and tell my body the day is over.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Steep 15 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Herbal
Calories: 2
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tsp dried chamomile flowers
  • 1 tsp dried lemon balm
  • 1/2 tsp dried lavender go light
  • 250 ml water just off the boil
  • Honey to taste (optional)

Equipment

  • 1 Mug or small teapot
  • 1 Sauce or lid to cover while steeping
  • 1 Small retainer

Method
 

  1. Warm your cup with a little hot water, then tip it out.
  2. Add the chamomile, lemon balm, and lavender to the cup or a small pot.
  3. Pour over the just-off-the-boil water and cover.
  4. Steep a full 15 minutes. The long steep is what draws the calm out of the flowers.
  5. Strain, add a little honey if you like, and sip slowly in the hour before bed.

Notes

Lavender is strong, so keep it to a half teaspoon or it runs the whole cup. A real safety note too: chamomile is in the daisy family (Asteraceae), so skip it if daisies or ragweed bother you, and check with your doctor before pairing a calming tea with sedative medication, as the effects can layer. This is an evening ritual, not a prescription, and it is not a substitute for medical care.