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There’s nothing sweeter than to cozy up at night with a warm cup of herbal tea and your favorite book. A comforting ritual for the nervous system, it will also prepare you for deep sleep later on. I love preparing my favorite Sweet Dreams Tea for our whole family, to help us all get a night of restful sleep. 

Why is sleep important? 

Sleep plays a vital role in our overall well-being. It is not just a time for rest and rejuvenation, but also a crucial period for our bodies to repair, recharge, and heal. Quality sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system, regulating hormones, and supporting optimal brain function. Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality can lead to a wide range of issues, including decreased cognitive function, mood disturbances, weakened immune system, and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. 

In my experience, sleep time becomes even more important after having children (and during pregnancy). The success of everyone’s day depends on how well we were able to rest at night. Every parent knows that if the kids don’t sleep well, parents don’t sleep well either. My philosophy on pretty much everything in life is that if I can do something to help my son learn the skill he’s currently working on (I think sleep is a skill), I will always do it. Because why not! 

What’s Lucid Dreaming? 

Once we get over the hurdle of getting any kind of good sleep at all, we get into some very interesting territories. One of those is lucid dreams. Lucid dreaming is a powerful experience where one becomes aware they are dreaming. It offers personal growth, creativity, and problem-solving. By exploring the dream world, individuals gain self-awareness and overcome fears. This herbal remedy tea can help you unlock the subconscious, providing insights and inspiration. 

Introducing the Sweet Dreams Tea

I crafted this blend with my & your well-being in mind. Combining the soothing properties of Mint, Lemon Balm, Lavender, and Chamomile to create a delightful and effective herbal infusion.

Imagine winding down after a long day, holding a warm cup of Sweet Dreams Tea in your hands. As you inhale the comforting aroma of Mint, Lemon Balm, Lavender, and Chamomile, you can feel the tension melting away from your body and mind. The soothing minty freshness, combined with the gentle citrus notes and floral hints, creates a harmonious blend that instantly calms your senses. With each sip, the calming effects of this herbal infusion embrace you, preparing you for a restful night’s sleep. Lemon Balm gently eases any lingering anxiety, Lavender offers a sense of tranquility, while Chamomile’s soothing properties guide you into a peaceful slumber. And the minty freshness? It adds that extra touch of relaxation, ensuring you drift off into dreamland with ease.

But there’s more to Sweet Dreams Tea than just a good night’s sleep. If you’ve ever been curious about lucid dreaming, this blend has the potential to take your dreams to new heights. You can add optional ingredients like Mugwort, Catnip, and Skullcap to the mix, known for their reputation in enhancing dream experiences and promoting lucidity. It provides the chance to explore the depths of your subconscious, embarking on incredible dream adventures and gaining insights into your inner self.

Understanding the Herbal Ingredients in sweet dreams tea

Mint

Mint has a fascinating magical and historical connection to sleep and dreaming. In magical practices, people believed it to possess the power to ward off nightmares and negative energies that disrupted peaceful sleep. They commonly used it as a protective herb, with its invigorating scent thought to create a barrier against malevolent forces that could interfere with restful slumber. Placing dried mint leaves under the pillow or brewing mint-infused teas were common practices to promote a calm and restorative sleep.

Moreover, mint was associated with the realm of dreams and the exploration of one’s subconscious mind. People believed it to stimulate awareness during dreams, potentially leading to lucid dreaming. By enhancing mental clarity and focus, people used mint to help recognize they were in a dream state, enabling them to actively participate in and influence their dream experiences.

Lemon Balm

Healers treasured this remarkable herb by healers for centuries for its soothing and calming effects on the mind and body. Known for its mild lemony scent and refreshing taste, Lemon Balm has been used as a natural remedy to reduce anxiety, ease stress, and promote a sense of tranquility. Its calming properties can help quiet a busy mind and prepare you for a restful sleep. 

Not only does Lemon Balm contribute to a more peaceful slumber, but it also assists in enhancing dream recall. By promoting a relaxed state of mind before bed, Lemon Balm encourages a deeper connection with your dreams. It may increase your ability to remember and engage with the intricate details of your dream experiences, enabling a richer exploration of your subconscious realm.

Lavender

In ancient folklore and spiritual traditions, people knew lavender to have a profound influence on sleep and dreams. They often used to bring about deep relaxation, calm the mind, and prepare the body for a peaceful slumber. Traditional uses of lavender included placing it under pillows or stuffing it into dream pillows to induce restful sleep and encourage vivid dreams. The fragrance of lavender has a gentle sedative effect on the nervous system, helping to alleviate stress, anxiety, and insomnia. 

When it comes to dreams, people believed lavender to enhance the dream experience by creating a serene and harmonious atmosphere. They often associated it with pleasant dreams, offering a sense of tranquility and contentment during sleep. In addition, lavender’s soothing properties can contribute to better dream recall. By promoting relaxation and reducing mental clutter, lavender can assist in remembering and interpreting dreams upon awakening. It helps create a favorable environment for maintaining a strong connection between the dream world and waking consciousness.

Chamomile 

Chamomile has been associated with ancient rituals and practices centered around relaxation, purification, and attracting positive energy. In various cultures, chamomile was believed to possess protective and healing properties, making it a popular herb for spiritual and magical purposes. 

When it comes to sleep, chamomile flowers act as a natural sleep aid, helping to relax the body and mind. Its calming effects can ease anxiety and promote a sense of tranquility, making it easier to fall asleep and enjoy a restful night.

Mugwort

In folklore and spiritual traditions, people used Mugwort for protection, divination, and warding off evil spirits. They believed it to possess the power to enhance psychic abilities and promote prophetic dreams. This dream herb was even named after the Greek goddess Artemis, the goddess of the moon and protector of women, further highlighting its mystical connection.

In addition to its magical properties, healers also valued Artemisia Vulgaris for its medicinal uses. They used it as a digestive aid, a promoter of healthy blood circulation, and as a herb to support the menstrual cycle. They incorporated dried leaves of this powerful herb into various herbal remedies and preparations in traditional medicine systems, including Ayurvedic medicine.

Catnip

Throughout the ages, catnip has been celebrated for its ability to enhance sleep and facilitate a deeper connection with the dream realm. In magical practices, catnip is renowned for its association with feline energies and its ability to induce relaxation and tranquility. It was believed that by placing catnip under the pillow or in a sachet, one could invite the mystical energy of cats into their sleep space, promoting restful slumber and offering protection during dreams.

Catnip is also regarded for its potential in promoting lucid dreaming experiences. It is thought to heighten dream awareness. Furthermore, catnip is known for its calming properties, which aid in reducing anxiety, stress, and insomnia. By soothing the mind and relaxing the body, catnip creates an environment conducive to deep sleep and dream exploration. Its gentle and peaceful energy envelops dreamers, facilitating a sense of serenity and receptivity to the dream realm.

Skullcap

Skullcap, a revered herb in magical and historical practices, holds a special place in the realm of sleep and dreaming. It possesses the ability to calm the mind, relieve anxiety, and induce a deep sense of relaxation. It has been used in rituals and ceremonies aimed at quieting the mental chatter and attuning oneself to the ethereal realm of dreams. Skullcap’s gentle energy creates a serene and receptive space for dream exploration and spiritual connection.

When it comes to sleep, skullcap’s role is to promote a restful and rejuvenating slumber. Its sedative effects are known to soothe restlessness and support deep, uninterrupted sleep. By easing nervous tension and reducing mental and emotional stress, skullcap helps create the optimal conditions for a peaceful night’s rest.

Skullcap’s influence extends to the realm of dreaming as well. Many believe it to enhance dream recall, making it easier to remember and reflect upon the messages and symbols that unfold during sleep. Moreover, we associate skullcap with vivid and meaningful dreams, often characterized by heightened sensory experiences and profound insights.

How to Make Sweet Dreams Tea

​I love making different tea infusions. The effects are so rewarding but also the process itself is deeply centering while beautifully simple. 

Supplies 

• Cup 
• Strainer
• Kettle

It is the easiest & most time-saving to craft this herbal blend from dried herbs in bulk, and then use as needed. However, sometimes I only have fresh herbs on hand, and I make use of those, or even mix dried & fresh in one infusion. I crafted two versions of this recipe. The first is very family-friendly and appropriate for everyone to promote restful slumber. I geared the second specifically towards those that want to dive deeper into the land of their subconscious and explore the endless possibilities of lucid dreaming. 

​Ingredients

​Family Friendly Sweet Dreams Tea

• Mint
• Lemon Balm 
• Lavender
• Chamomile 

Sweet Dreams Tea for lucid dreaming

• Mint
• Lemon Balm 
• Lavender
• Chamomile
• Catnip
• Mugwort
• Skullcap

Instructions

Bulk preparation of sweet dreams tea using dried herbs

• 2 parts dried catnip (eg. 2 tbs)
• 2 parts dried skullcap (eg. 2tbs)
• 1/2 part dried lavender (eg. 1/2 tbs)
• 2 parts dried chamomile (eg. 2 tbs)
• 1 part dried lemon balm(eg. 1 tbs)
• 1/4 part dried mugwort (eg. 1/4 tbs)
• 1/2 part dried mint (eg. 1/2 tbs)

Mix all herbs in a large mixing bowl. Store the tea blend in an airtight jar. Use 1 – 1.5 tsp per cup of hot water. Allow to steep for 15 minutes. 

Individual cup preparation using fresh herbs

When preparing this blend for an individual cup infusion, in all honesty, I eyeball the amounts. I usually go out into my herb garden and pick a leaf or two of each and steep it in a cup of water. My preferred way is to prepare a whole teapot. In that case, I roughly try to stick to the ratios in the bulk preparation recipe. Here’s a video of me making an individual cup of this blend using a mixture of fresh & dried herbs. 

Note on sourcing

When finding your herbs, always make sure to go for the highest quality available. I personally always prefer loose-leaf tea to tea bags (unless I’m traveling). I try to grow as many herbs as I can in my herbal garden, but I run out from time to time. In this case I opt for organic dried herbs.