A Soothing Herbal Tea

September 18, 11:46 AMFood ExaminerEric Burkett

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Finally, a beverage you can enjoy with your cat.

It’s late in the evening and you’re in serious unwind mode, preparing to go to bed. For many, a cup of relaxing herbal tea is just the thing to help that along.

For years now, I’ve been drinking a concoction of my own a friend once dubbed “Dream Tea” for its propensity to promote lucid dreams. Relaxing and soothing, it’s made from three ingredients: chamomile, peppermint, and catnip. Catnip? Stay with me here.

Unlike its effect on Thomas, catnip (Nepeta cataria) has a very different effect on human beings. As Mrs. M. Grieve notes rather colorfully in A Modern Herbal: “It is good in restlessness, colic, insanity and nervousness” in addition to its ability to induce sleep. Who doesn’t need a good antidote to insanity?

Catnip is a member of the mint family and has a refreshing, astringent flavor. Chamomile, of course, enjoys an ancient reputation as a soothing herb, and peppermint, in addition to simply tasting good, is known for its anesthetic properties. Steeped together, you have a very relaxing beverage and – nicer than buying premixed, prebagged herbal teas – something you’ve made yourself. You’ll find all these ingredients at your local co-op, herbal shop, or health food store.

        1 oz dried catnip
        1 oz dried chamomile
        1 oz dried peppermint

Mix the herbs together and store in an airtight container, preferably out of direct sunlight. When it’s time to make yourself a cup, place one heaping tablespoon of the mixture into a tea strainer, and steep in a cup of not-quite boiling water. Let steep for about 3 to 5 minutes. Occasionally, I’ll add honey but I like it unsweetened, too.