Sleep and Dream Herbal Recipes

in Forum > Supplements

coreseven 4 posts Monday, 03. November 2008 07:17PM

So happy to have found this forum and this particular section. I have long used herbs and elixirs for many reasons and most of my favorites have been for sleep and dreaming. I love trying new ones that I come across, so I am hoping to spark some new tonic and herbal recipes/uses from others too! I have a homeopathic friend who makes me a great elixir for dreaming, but so far he has not given up his recipe or process. He says he will, so when I can get it out of him I will share it here for all who are interested ;-)

So for starters, I will share from a cool book I found, "Elixirs, Tonis and Teas" by Jeff Stein and Edgar Veytia. It has many great recipes and info. I like this one because it works consistently and it's easy:

SWEET SLUMBER
"Disharmony, discordant notes that jar you awake. Too many threads of melody going in too many directions. Weave the music into a harmonious song, compose your mind, and welcome wholesome sleep with this effective herbal tea." Serves one.
1 teaspoon chamomile flowers
2 teaspoons dried peppermint
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon ground valerian root
Add the chamomile, peppermint and honey to a cup of cold water in a saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat; then reduce to low and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in the valerian and simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Remove it from heat an strain into a mug or cup.

Works every time! Sometimes I add a little cream. It helps me get such a calm peaceful sleep.

Lastly, I thought I'd include a little blurp about sleep from the same book while I got it open here. Since this is a sleep and dream forum, maybe readers will appreciate it:

"In traditional Chinese herbalism, sound sleep is said to be possible only when the heart system is at rest. At night, the heart is said to house the mind. Often, an overactive mind will consume itself with thought, getting stuck in a restless loop of anxiety fueled by tiredness. Herbal formulas for welcoming sleep are among the best alternatives to mainstream Western remedies. Safe and soothing, they aid in seeking Nature's best healing agent, sleep."

aldous 3 posts Monday, 01. December 2008 07:29PM

I love that I found this forum! I have a couple great relaxing recipes that I make from time to time that you don't see everyday. I will post them separately. Here is the first one:

Lavender Chamomile Shortbread

I like to make this in the summer when I have fresh lavender, but dried lavender works good too. It is a nice relaxing snack before bed that isn't too sweet, but nice and moist. I reduce the sugar to about a 1/2 cup because I don't want the extra sweet before bed. It has a WONDERFUL fragrance!

3/4 cup milk
1 cup strong chamomile tea
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh lavender
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

Combine the milk, tea and lavender in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Heat to a simmer, then remove from heat, and allow to cool slightly.

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until the mixture is light and fluffy. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture alternately with the milk and lavender until just blended. Pour into the prepared pan.

Bake for 45-50 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a wooden pick inserted into the crown of the loaf comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.

aldous 3 posts Monday, 01. December 2008 07:33PM

Great relaxing cocktail I found online!

Chamomile & Lavender Fizz

1-1/2 oz Hendrick's gin
1 oz lemon sour syrup*
1/2 oz cream
1 oz ZZZ Chamomile & Lavender Organic SerendipiTea
1/2 egg white

Put ingredients into an empty shaker and "dry shake' for 30 seconds to emulsify. Then add ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled glass or small goblet.

* 2 parts simple syrup to 1 part fresh lemon juice.

edgarveytia 1 posts Tuesday, 03. February 2009 05:29AM

I just stumbled upon this post publishing a recipe from my book with co-author, Jeff Stein, "Elixirs, Tonics & Teas." Totally cool! I'm glad to see the recipe in circulation since it's a really good one.

I played with a number of herbs, including some that grow wild just outside the perimeter, such as Calea Zacatechichi, an unusual herb from Southern Mexico. It was an intense dream inducing herb but hard to control, far from what makes sense for an herbal supplement; still, it was an interesting exploration into the realm of botanical conspirators.

Another blend that I found to be very effective for inducing deep, restful sleep was a compostion that I dubbed, "Flowers that Dream", a great name for a tea, but I could never get the flavor right. Alkaloids, particularly potent ones, don't seem to care how they taste. I used Albizzia flowers, Chamomile flowers, and Lotus stems. The Lotus stem was the culprit, but it was also the driver of this interesting little blend. These are all available at a Traditional Chinese Medicine counter of any emporium in the heart of any Chinatown in ever major city around the world.

As they say in Laitn America, "Que duermes con los angelitos." May you sleep with the little angels.

Edgar Veytia

coreseven 4 posts Thursday, 19. March 2009 08:58PM

Wow! How cool to have the author of this book post to my comment! I really do love your book, and continue to use Sweet Slumber when I need a little help relaxing at night.

Thanks for your additional comments. There seems to be a lot of complexity and experimenting involved to come up with both an effective and decent-tasting concoction. I would love to hear back from you if publish another book or find that perfect blend and process for your next recipe.

I am interested in Calea Zacatechichi. Sounds like it does have some very cool effects from what you've commented as well as what I've read about it. In fact, I am going to start another post for it and see what I can attract for additional comments!