People suffering from sleep disorders often do not pay attention to what they drink at night. And some are firmly convinced that any tea drunk before going to bed is very beneficial. Some people really fall asleep quickly after a couple of cups. aromatic drink. But most tea drinkers still suffer from insomnia. And they don’t even realize that the seemingly completely harmless “Lipton” or “Ahmad” only aggravates the problem.
Is it possible to drink tea before bed? Somnologists say that use classic tea extremely harmful. After all, many of its varieties are saturated with tannin, caffeine and other stimulants of the nervous system, which prevent a full night's rest. But herbal tea for sleep is a completely different matter. The forces of nature inherent in healing plants have a calming effect on nervous system and provide quality sleep.
Green or black?
In principle, you can drink black tea at night. But very carefully - just a little and not strong tea leaves. This recommendation applies to all people. And those suffering from insomnia should completely avoid indulging in tea before bed. The fact is that this drink contains a decent dose of caffeine, which stimulates the nervous system. Just one standard cup of black tea, drunk before going to bed, activates the nervous system. The brain receives a command to stay awake. At the same time, the heart rate increases and blood flow accelerates. Of course, falling asleep in this state is extremely difficult.
Some people mistakenly believe that green tea before bed, unlike black, it calms and relaxes. Almost all varieties of this drink have strong tonic properties. Incredibly, it contains more caffeine than coffee beans. True, the effects of green teas on the body can be different. For example, if you drink a cup of such a drink and fall asleep 5-10 minutes after that, then others may well not sleep a wink all night.
Therefore, if there are any sleep disturbances, the last cup of black or green tea should be drunk approximately 3 hours before bedtime.
And, nevertheless, it cannot be unequivocally stated that drinking tea at night is categorically not recommended. After all, it was only on the black and green varieties of this drink that the light did not converge like a wedge. Fortunately, there is great amount various herbal teas. Most often they are created on the basis of green or black tea, to which are added medicinal plants. You can make such drinks yourself, choosing the herbs that you like best.
The result of consuming a soothing herbal mixture is a feeling of peace and comfort. This is exactly what you need for a good night's sleep. By the way, even the aroma of some plants has a sedative effect on humans.
What to drink for insomnia
If you are already tired of insomnia, you can try to get rid of it with the help of herbal teas. They can be purchased at the pharmacy already packaged in convenient filter bags, or you can prepare them yourself from dried raw materials.
Soothing teas for children
Teas that stabilize the children's nervous system and gently calm an overly excited child are made from medicinal plants. They can be not only single-component, but also complex phytocollections. In the pharmacy, such herbal teas are presented as a mixture of dried herbs for brewing and filter bags. Herbal drinks with added dried fruits and prebiotics are also sold.
It must be borne in mind that the consumption of any herbal tea should be regular. After all, it has a cumulative effect. It is advisable to give it to your baby before putting him to bed.
- "Hipp." This is a children's herbal tea mixture available in a wide range of varieties. Some of them can be given to babies as early as 4 months. Soothing Hipp tea contains chamomile and linden blossom. There is no sugar. For older children, it is better to buy “Hipp. Good night". It consists of herbs with a more pronounced sedative effect - thyme, hibiscus and lemon balm.
- "Evening Tale". One of the best herbal teas for children. Made in Russia. It contains anise, fennel, lavender and peppermint. His parents speak very highly of him. The child should be given it only once a day - before going to bed.
Let's summarize
If you need to calm your nerves and improve the quality of your night's rest, calming tea is just what you need. A combination of several herbs that have a sedative effect will finally help you get rid of insomnia and problems falling asleep. In addition, such teas are beneficial for overall health.
Drinks made from medicinal herbs are also recommended for those who do not complain about sleep. They are great for calming your nerves after a busy day at work. They also help you sleep soundly, which is important for high-quality restoration of strength and increased productivity.
Herbal teas are a safe method of combating insomnia. They are easy to prepare yourself, guided by your own taste preferences. Everything you need for preparation can be purchased at any pharmacy.
There are no absolutely calm children in nature. Even if the baby always eats and sleeps on schedule, behaves quietly, does not scream unnecessarily and is not capricious, this does not mean that one day he will not need a sedative. After all, the baby can get sick or experience stress, which will have a negative impact on his ability to fall asleep easily and soundly. Children's herbal teas with a calming effect will be a good help for parents. This is an alternative method, practically harmless and very effective.
What are they?
Teas, which are designed to gently soothe, stabilize the child’s nervous system and provide a slight sedative effect, are always made from plant materials. They are single-component and complex. Pharmacy (ready-made) herbal teas are sold both in the form of a dry herbal mixture for brewing and in filter bags. They are exclusively herbal and with the addition of prebiotics and pieces of dried fruit.
In addition, you can always brew your child a soothing tea yourself from herbs collected with your own hands or from ready-made mixtures. It is important that the herb for tea is collected according to all the rules, After all, chamomile can be different - one grows in a field far from populated areas, the other grows near the road, where it absorbs the remains of spent automobile fuel, dust, dirt and even doses of radiation.
It is important that the raw materials for children's tea are environmentally friendly
For children's soothing tea, the weed must be perfectly pure. If you are not a professional herbalist, it is better not to risk it and buy it at a pharmacy ready collection, safe, tested for toxicity and heavy metals, collected and dried in accordance with all standards and requirements.
From these pharmaceutical preparations you can then combine any teas. The main thing is not to forget that at herbal infusions There is also an expiration date and storage conditions. If they are disturbed, herbs can lose all their beneficial properties.
Follow the rules for brewing and storing herbal infusions
What herbs will be useful to you?
The following ingredients may be helpful for making baby soothing tea:
- Pharmaceutical chamomile. The flowers of this plant have a wide range of beneficial effects. They disinfect, destroying many varieties of harmful bacteria and microorganisms, lower high temperatures, and are a choleretic, antispasmodic, hemostatic, and antiallergic agent. On the issue that interests us, chamomile flowers perfectly normalize a child’s sleep. This herb can be given even to newborns from the first days of life.
- Motherwort. The grass and leaves of this plant have a pronounced sedative effect. Many diseases are treated with drugs based on them. of cardio-vascular system. Motherwort – excellent remedy for nervousness, sleep disturbances, hyperexcitability, hysterics.
- Melissa. Lemon balm leaves and stems normalize digestion, stimulate appetite, and are a diaphoretic. This plant can relieve spasms and have an anti-inflammatory effect. Melissa is a strong natural antidepressant, and therefore teas with lemon balm will help to establish the normal functioning of the child’s nervous system.
- Valerian. The roots and rhizomes of this plant effectively treat many disorders of the central nervous system, coronary circulatory disorders, and some diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Mint. The leaves and stems of medicinal mint are an excellent diuretic, antiemetic and analgesic. Mint has an excellent sedative effect, it normalizes sleep and puts the nervous system in order.
- Fennel. The inflorescences, seeds and leaves of this plant are usually used as a carminative, helping with colic in newborns and flatulence in older children. In addition, fennel gently soothes and makes it easier to fall asleep. But, contrary to popular belief, it does not contribute to lactation.
- Linden. The flowers of this tree have an expectorant and diaphoretic effect, and also calm the nervous system, relieve internal tension, and make it easier to go to sleep.
- Calendula. The flowers of this plant are used as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and healing herbal remedy. Calendula also has a gentle effect on the nervous system, relieves the effects of stress and anxiety, reduces excitability, and promotes easy sleep.
Most herbs also have restorative properties.
Recipes
“Chamomile drink” (one-component)
For such a soothing tea you will need 5 grams. pharmaceutical collection of chamomile. Pour boiling water over the herb and let it brew for 25 minutes. This tea can be given even to newborns, starting with half a teaspoon twice a day.
"Calendula drink" (combined)
For this soothing tea you will need 3 grams. dried calendula flowers, mint leaves, 2 gr. dried motherwort. Mix the herbs and “grind” with a wooden spoon or mortar. You can prepare tea leaves in a separate glass container by scalding with boiling water or in a water bath. Then dilute it with water to a volume of 200 g. A child can drink this tea starting with a starting dose of 3 teaspoons four times a day.. Gradually increase the amount of tea.
“Soothing mint drink” (combined)
To prepare this tea you will need mint (fresh or from a pharmacy) 3 grams, dry motherwort 2 grams, roots and rhizomes of valerian 3 grams. Mix all ingredients and finely grind with a wooden mortar. Pour boiling water over and leave for about 40 minutes. Take tea for a child under 4 years old, 2 teaspoons 2-3 times a day, for children older - 50-150 ml. (depending on age) three to four times a day.
Which teas are safe for children?
From 0 to 4 months You can give only single-ingredient fennel tea; it will relieve colic and improve the baby's sleep. From 4 months to 1 year – fennel, single-component chamomile, combined chamomile.
From 1 year to 2 years– you can add motherwort, lemon balm and sage to the above herbs.
From 3 years to 5 years- Valerian and thyme can be added to children's tea.
About 7 years- feel free to add linden blossom and honey to your tea if there are no allergic reactions to it.
Be sure to follow the dosage when brewing tea
How to take children's herbal soothing tea correctly
Discuss giving your child calming tea with your pediatrician. Usually, doctors allow the use of medicinal herbs from 4-6 months along with the baby’s first complementary foods. Exception - fennel tea or Dill water. You can drink them earlier.
You need to take herbal tea systematically, since its effect is slow and cumulative. Try giving it to your child before bed.
Nursing mothers can also take herbal teas, but you need to carefully read the composition, so that the child with breast milk did not receive those herbs that were not yet “for his age.”
To avoid side effects consult your pediatrician before taking tea
Review of pharmaceutical (ready-to-drink) soothing teas
The most popular, according to parents, baby soothing herbal teas:
- “Grandma’s mint basket.” It can be drunk by children from 3 months. The tea contains nothing extra, only mint leaves. For convenience, it is packaged in filter bags.
- "Grandmother's basket - rosehip." Indicated for babies from 4 months. Rose hips not only effectively calm the child’s nervous system, but also compensate for the lack of vitamins C, E, as well as iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium in the body.
- "Hipp" (HIPP). Herbal children's tea, which is a foreign analogue of the same “Granny Basket”. Some Hipp tea can be brewed for babies from 4 months. Sedative "Hipp" consists of several useful herbs– linden color, chamomile. There is no sugar in it at all. For older children there is “Hipp - Good Night”, which is made on the basis of strong natural soothing herbs - lemon balm, hibiscus and thyme.
- "Baby Elephant FIT". This is granulated instant tea for children. There is a single component, for example, with only fennel, and a combined one. “Slonok FIT” teas often come with pieces of fruit and dried berries. But such herbal tea options are not suitable for newborns and infants. They are designed to calm naughty children aged 3 years and older.
- "Dr. Tice's Tea." Multi-component tea that can be found in any pharmacy. It contains rose hips, primrose flowers, mint leaves, cumin, and chamomile. It is also an instant tea with no added sugar.
- "Evening Tale". Children's herbal tea made in Russia. It consists of the fruits of anise, fennel, peppermint, lavender. According to parents, quite effective tea. According to the manufacturer, it should be taken once a day, before bed.
Our difficult life is often associated with stress, tension and endless chronic fatigue. To put the nervous system in order, it is often necessary to take a number of serious measures: normalize the daily routine, conduct a course of psychotherapy, engage in auto-training and yoga, and much more. But sometimes it’s enough to relax with a cup of regular herbal tea...
Agree, this is a very simple, soft, natural and pleasant means of calming. Calming tea will help relieve irritability and increased nervousness, and will help with nervous exhaustion and insomnia.
SOOTHING TEA - 1
Valerian roots – 50 g,
Hops cones – 50 g.
Take 1 tbsp. mixture, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, strain. Drink ½ glass 2 times a day or 1 glass at night.
SOOTHING TEA – 2
Valerian roots – 50 g,
Peppermint herb – 50 g.
Take 1 tbsp. mixture, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, strain. Drink ½ glass 2 times a day. You can add anise or dill fruits to the collection.
SOOTHING TEA – 3
Valerian roots – 50 g,
Motherwort grass – 50 g,
Melissa grass – 50 g.
Pour 1 tbsp. mixture with 1 cup of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, strain. Drink 1 tbsp. 3 times a day before meals.
SOOTHING COLLECTION – 1
Oregano herb – 1 tbsp.,
St. John's wort herb – 1 tbsp.,
Chamomile flowers - 1 tbsp.,
Honey to taste.
1 tsp. pour one glass of boiling water over the mixture, leave for 15 minutes, strain, add honey. Drink 1 glass 2 times a day.
SOOTHING COLLECTION – 3
Dried grass – 1 tbsp.,
Chamomile flowers – 1 tsp.
1 tbsp. pour one glass of boiling water over the mixture, leave in a water bath for 15 minutes, cool, strain. Drink ½ glass 3 times a day.
SOOTHING FEED – 5
Valerian roots – 1 tbsp.,
Hops cones – 1 tbsp.,
Peppermint leaves – 1 tbsp,
Motherwort grass – 1 tbsp.,
Rosehip fruits (chopped) – 1 tbsp.
1 tbsp. Pour one glass of boiling water over the mixture of herbs, leave for 30 minutes, strain. Drink ½ glass 2 times a day.
SOOTHING COLLECTION – 6
St. John's wort herb – 1 tbsp.,
Chamomile flowers – 1 tbsp,
Oregano herb – 1 tbsp.,
Peppermint leaf – 1 tbsp,
Hops cones – 1 tbsp.,
Valerian roots – 1 tbsp.
Take 1 tbsp. mixture, pour 1 cup of boiling water, leave in a water bath for 15 minutes, strain. Drink ½ glass warm 2-3 times a day.
SOOTHING COLLECTION – 7
Peppermint leaf – 1 tbsp,
Melissa grass – 1 tbsp.,
Motherwort grass – 1 tbsp.,
Oregano herb – 1 tbsp.,
Hawthorn flowers – 1 tbsp.,
Valerian roots – 1 tbsp.
1 tbsp. pour one glass of boiling water over the mixture, leave for 30 minutes, strain. Drink ½ glass 2-3 times a day.
SOOTHING TEA FOR CHILDREN:
One of the easiest to prepare and therefore popular medicinal products is a herbal tea. Even if you have never been treated traditional medicines in the form of decoctions, infusions and tinctures, then you have probably tried tea made from plants. Most often, tea is drunk for colds, flu, fatigue, lethargy, bad mood, overexcitation, stress, and also as a diuretic and for weight loss.
Today we will look at herbal teas that have sedative properties.
Calming teas are drunk in courses of 2-3 weeks or once, as needed. The most simple recipes include one herbal ingredient.
Tea with mint:
- 1 tsp mint or lemon balm herbs;
- 1 tbsp. boiling water
Brew mint with boiling water, let it brew for 5-10 minutes and drink like tea. It is important not to increase the amount of mint (lemon balm), otherwise you may get a tonic effect.
You can make chamomile tea using the same recipe. A combination of chamomile and mint is also possible - 1 tablespoon of the mixture per glass of boiling water.
Tea with hops:
- 1 tbsp. boiling water
Pour boiling water over the hops and let steep for 10 minutes. Then add honey to taste and drink. It is enough to drink 1 glass of this tea per day. Hops are good at calming the nervous system and helping to normalize sleep.
Tea with oregano for neurosis:
- 3 tbsp. oregano herbs:
- 500 ml boiling water.
Pour boiling water over the herb in a thermos and leave to steep for 1-2 hours. Strain. Drink half a glass three times a day half an hour before meals. Attention! Oregano is contraindicated for pregnant women.
Soothing tea with St. John's wort:
- 4 tbsp. St. John's wort herbs;
- 1 liter of boiling water.
Pour boiling water over St. John's wort, boil for 3 minutes over medium heat, then remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain the drink. Drink half a glass 2-3 times a day before meals. Recommended course of treatment: 7-14 days, and then a mandatory break of 30 days, after which the dose can be repeated. Remember that you should not overuse St. John's wort tea, as this can lead to poisoning.
Tea with Ivan-tea:
- 2 tbsp. herbs Ivan-tea;
- 500 ml boiling water.
Ivan tea calms the nervous system and helps with headaches. Pour boiling water over the herb, close the lid, wrap the container with the mixture in something warm and leave to steep for 12 hours. Strain. Drink the resulting infusion 5 times before meals.
Tea with motherwort:
- 3 tbsp. chopped motherwort herb;
- 1 tbsp. boiling water
Pour boiling water over the motherwort, let it brew for 10-20 minutes and strain. This tea You can't drink in cups. Take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day half an hour before meals.
Tea with yarrow:
- 1 tbsp. l. yarrow;
- 1 tbsp. boiling water
Pour boiling water over the herb, let it brew for 10 minutes and strain. Take 1 tablespoon three times daily before meals.
Passion flower tea for depression:
- 1 tsp passionflower herbs (passionflower);
- 150 ml boiling water.
Pour boiling water over the passionflower, let it brew for 10 minutes and strain. Drink tea before bed.
You can also cook soothing teas from several plants at once.
Tea recipes
The most famous herbal sedative is valerian.
Soothing tea with valerian (recipe No. 1):
- 1 part valerian root;
- 1 part hop cones.
Prepare a mixture of the indicated ingredients. Brew tea in a ratio of 1 tablespoon per glass of boiling water. Infuse the drink for 20 minutes. Drink a glass at night or half a glass twice a day.
Valerian tea (recipe No. 2):
- 1 part valerian root;
- 1 part peppermint herb.
Brew 1 tablespoon of the mixture from the indicated plants, let the drink brew for 30 minutes and strain. Drink half a glass twice a day.
Valerian tea (recipe No. 3):
- 1 part valerian root;
- 1 part motherwort herb;
- 1 part lemon balm herb.
Brew tea in the ratio of 1 teaspoon of herbal mixture to 1 cup of boiling water. Leave the product for 20 minutes. This tea should be taken as medicine, 1 tablespoon three times a day before meals.
Hawthorn with mint and Ivan tea:
- 1 tbsp. hawthorn fruit;
- 1 tbsp. peppermint;
- 1 tbsp. herbs Ivan-tea;
- 1 tbsp. boiling water;
- 1 tbsp. honey
Grind the hawthorn fruits and place in a teapot for brewing. Add herbs and pour boiling water. Let the tea steep for 15 minutes. Add honey to the finished drink. Drink an hour before bedtime.
Calming collection:
- 2 tbsp. hawthorn flowers;
- 2 tbsp. sweet clover herbs;
- 3 tbsp. oregano herbs;
- 1 tbsp. peppermint leaf;
- 1 tbsp. valerian root.
Prepare a mixture of these plants. Brew 1 tablespoon with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 30 minutes. Strain the finished tea. Drink half a glass of tea three times a day before meals.
Calming collection No. 2:
- 1 part hawthorn flowers;
- 1 part lemon balm herb;
- 1 part peppermint leaf;
- 1 part oregano herb;
- 1 part motherwort herb;
- 1 part valerian root.
Pour 1 tablespoon of the above herbs into a glass of boiling water and leave for half an hour. Strain the finished tea infusion. Drink half a glass 2-3 times a day.
Hawthorn with chamomile, motherwort and dried grass:
- 1 tbsp. hawthorn flowers;
- 1 tsp chamomile flowers;
- 1 tbsp. motherwort herbs;
- 1 tbsp. dried herbs.
Prepare a tea mixture from the following herbs. Brew 1 tablespoon of the resulting mixture with a glass of boiling water and simmer in a water bath for 15 minutes. Then let the broth cool and strain. Drink half a glass three times a day.
Tea with hawthorn and mint:
- 1 tsp black tea;
- 10 g hawthorn leaf;
- 10 g mint leaf;
- 500 ml boiling water;
- 1 tbsp. raspberry fruits;
- 1 tbsp. honey
Mix tea with herbs, pour boiling water and let steep for 15 minutes. Grind the berries with honey and add to tea. This drink It has not only soothing, but also anti-cold properties.
Tea made from dried hawthorn fruits:
- 1 tbsp. dried hawthorn fruits;
- 1 tbsp. boiling water
Pour boiling water over the hawthorn and let it brew for 2 hours, covered. You can prepare this tea in a thermos. After two hours, strain the infusion. Drink 1 tablespoon three times a day: in the morning and afternoon before meals, and in the evening before bed. This tea infusion has calming properties and also helps with dizziness.
Tea for depression:
- 1 tsp St. John's wort herbs;
- 1 tsp yarrow herbs;
- 1 tsp thyme herbs;
- 1 tsp catnip herbs;
- 1 tsp lemongrass fruit;
- 500 ml boiling water.
Pour boiling water over the plant material, let it brew for an hour and strain. Drink half a glass twice a day - morning and evening. This tea improves your mood and adds strength and vigor, which is so lacking during depression.
Soothing tea for children:
- 1 part oregano herb;
- 1 part lemon balm herb;
- 1 part chamomile flowers.
Prepare a mixture of these plants. Pour 1 tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water. The tea should be steeped for 15 minutes. Depending on age, give 1-3 teaspoons ready-made tea child three times a day before meals.
Green Tea Recipes
Green tea with motherwort and hops:
- 1 tsp green tea;
- 1 tsp motherwort herbs;
- 1 tsp hop cones;
- 2 tbsp. boiling water
Pour boiling water over the herbs, let steep for 10 minutes, add green tea and steep for another 5 minutes. Strain the finished drink and add honey to taste. Drink half a glass of this tea three times a day.
Tea with St. John's wort:
- 2 tsp green tea;
- 1 tsp St. John's wort herbs;
- 1 tsp lemon balm herbs;
- 1 tsp linden flowers;
- 2 tbsp. boiling water;
- honey to taste.
The cooking method is the same as in the previous recipe. Drink half a glass of tea 3-4 times a day.
Tea with calendula, oregano and St. John's wort:
- 2 tsp green tea;
- 1 tbsp. calendula flowers;
- 1 tbsp. oregano herbs;
- 1 tsp St. John's wort herbs;
- 500 ml boiling water;
- 1 tsp honey
Pour boiling water over the mixture of green tea and herbs, let steep for 15 minutes and strain. Drink half a glass ready drink three times a day.
Contraindications
Contraindications to the use of soothing teas are:
- individual intolerance to certain herbs;
- contraindications for diseases to a particular plant.
During pregnancy, soothing herbs include chamomile, mint and lemon balm.
With the help of soothing teas, you can not only cope with various nervous disorders, but also improve the general condition of the body, in particular, normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Soothing teas are prepared from herbs and various plants that have a sedative effect. You can buy a ready-made mixture at the pharmacy or choose a combination based on your own taste and the effect you want to achieve.
Many people do not like the taste of a drink brewed exclusively from medicinal herbs; in this case, you can use green tea as a base, adding soothing herbs to it when brewing. Almost any type of green tea can be used as a base tea, since they contain a huge amount of flavonoids and antioxidants, which help the body overcome depression and stress. It should be noted that lime and jasmine also have a calming effect, but do not affect perception and increase the level of performance.
Composition of soothing tea
Valerian is one of the most famous calming plants. Teas with the addition of valerian roots normalize heart rate and blood pressure, having a wonderful relaxing effect.
Motherwort not only has antidepressant and calming effects, but can also act as an antispasmodic. The leaves of this plant are usually added to tea.
St. John's wort has a complex, mild effect on the body. It relieves anxiety, feelings of fear, and significantly increases resistance to stress and depression. St. John's wort flowers collected in the first half of summer are used to prepare a soothing tea.
Chamomile is another common ingredient in calming teas. It calms the nerves, relieves anxiety, and is also a wonderful anti-inflammatory agent.
Teas with the addition of mint are widespread. This plant is a natural antidepressant, improves sleep and increases the body's resistance to various stresses.
Hops have an anticonvulsant effect and relieve aching pain in the stomach and heart, which often occurs during nervous stress. It is best brewed with green tea, since hops have a fairly pronounced and specific taste.
Calming teas are best drunk in small courses of two or three weeks, this makes them more effective. It is very important to follow the correct dosage so as not to harm the body. Please note that most sedative plants in too large doses can cause drowsiness and negatively affect memory and attention. If you are hypersensitive to such drugs, be sure to reduce the dosage.
