Support deeper, more restful sleep and enjoy an evening treat with this herbal mocktail. It’s packed with ingredients that encourage an easier time falling and staying asleep.
Chamomile contains the flavonoid apigenin, which may work to slow down the central nervous system and be responsible for its sleep-inducing qualities. Lavender modulates GABA and can help quiet the brain and nervous system activity, reducing agitation, anger, aggression, and restlessness. And last but not least, sour cherries and their juice naturally contain melatonin and tryptophan and can increase levels of melatonin in the body.
Combined, these botanicals create the perfect beverage to enjoy before bed for a better morning.
I hope you love it as much as I do.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Mark Hyman, MD
Ingredients:
- 1 chamomile tea bag
- 1-inch chunk fresh ginger, microplaned
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon lavender buds (or 1 lavender tea bag)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 sour cherries, pitted (frozen works too, or sub with ½ teaspoon honey)
- 1 tablespoon sour cherry juice, unsweetened
- 1 handful of ice
Garnish
- Fresh thyme
- Chamomile flowers
Method:
1. Boil 1 ½ cups filtered water and steep the tea bag along with the ginger, cinnamon stick, lavender, and lemon juice.
2. Crush the cherries with the back of a spoon in a mug.
3. Pour the cherry juice into the mug as well and add ice.
4. Strain the tea using a fine mesh strainer and pour over the ice.
5. Give it a stir and garnish with a sprig of thyme, enjoy and sleep tight!
Nutritional analysis per serving (without optional honey): Calories: 25, Total Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 5mg, Carbohydrates: 6g, Fiber: 1g, Sugars: 4g, Protein: 0g, Net Carbs: 6g