With Chamomile, relax after a stressful day...

Many of you already know that Chamomile is calming. You can also brew a nice cuppa tea whenever you are feeling particularly stressed - or a bit depressed. Why, you can even make brewing Chamomile Tea a ritual in your kitchen...

Fill your tea kettle with cold water, and place on the stove to in order to boil.

1. If you are making the tea by the cup, choose a tea bag of your favorite Chamomile tea blend, or measure out loose Chamomile and Spearmint (often used in healing rituals) in equal parts (start with a teaspoon of each) and add to your tea ball. I love using the loose herbs! Blending your own mix is simple and yet so very personal!
   
2. If you are making a pot of tea instead of a cup, make sure you fill the tea pot with hot water from the facet to pre-warm the container while the tea kettle readies its water on the stove. When the tea kettle water is boiling, you will (1) dump out the warm water from the tea pot, (2) then put in your loose herbs (or tea bags) into the tea pot, and finally, (3) fill the tea pot with the boiling water from the tea kettle, covering the loose herbs. How much of the loose herbs should you use in a tea pot? Plan on a teaspoon of each herb per cup.

Now, as you are dunking the teabag/tea ball up and down in the cup, or pouring the tea mixture from the teapot, visualize a soft golden glow filling the liquid. Remember, after about 3 to 5 minutes of letting the herb sit in the water, the tea should be ready.

While dunking or pouring, chant softly to yourself:

Chamomile brew
Relaxing and true
With each cup
Lift my spirits up!

Now, if you are using a tea pot, the herbs will certainly remain in the pot much longer than 3 to 5 minutes. You do have the option of transferring the tea to a different container, of course, straining out the loose herbs from the tea pot.

Finally, as you enjoy the tea, envision calming, uplifting energy drifting up into your smile. Sip quietly and practice relaxing your body. If you need a little help in physically relaxing, you can even tense your muscles and then relax them as you take a drink. This practice can assist in mindful relaxation!

Some items of note...

Chamomile is a gentle herb and reportly can aid in sleep and digestion. There are two types: Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) and German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Parts of the plants that are used: the flowers. Some ritual practitioners consider this herb to be a representative of the element of Water, and ruled by the Sun.

Lore...

"Much of its (Chamomile) lore comes from the position it can hold within a garden, for it brings health to the other plants in the gardens and is said to cure nearly any plant that it grows next to." - The wonderful Paul Beyerl, herbalist and author of The Master Book of Herbalism.

And lastly, I am not a trained herbalist or a medical professional. Remember, plants and herbs can be dangerous - and even deadly - if taken in too high of a dose. Always tell your doctor what herbs you are using. Be safe, be responsible!