What makes a good bedtime brew?

If you’ve been longing for more than just those forty winks, try brewing your insomnia away. A good night’s sleep is a privilege for many. Most of us turn to caffeine-based drinks to help us stay up and alert after a night of disturbed sleep. But adopting a calming ritual to unwind and enjoy a peaceful night can be far more advantageous, improving your productivity, reducing your stress and ultimately leading to a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Here are few pointers to get you started:

• Perfect as a stimulant in the morning, caffeine can have detrimental effects on sleep patterns. Ensure that you avoid caffeine entirely, for at least a few hours before bedtime.

• It is advisable to drink your bedtime brew 30 mins to an hour before you intend to sleep.

• Try sipping on herbal infusions prepared with the roots or flowers of certain plants that have been proven to have calming effects on the mind and body. Many herbal teas do not contain leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, but are equally as healthy and flavourful.

• The method of preparation of the brew is crucial to get the maximum health benefits and flavours from the ingredients used. This includes the temperature of the water used, the brewing time, quantity of tea, etc.

• Adopt a bedtime routine that complements your bedtime brew - A warm shower, a good book, calming music, or merely meditating in silence. Whatever your choice, make an effort to stay away from digital devices that can have a detrimental effect instead.

• There’s no ingredient like Chamomile to bring about sleep and relaxation. It is known to have a soothing effect on the nervous system, and has been recommended as one of the most effective cures for insomnia. In addition to the calming properties of this herb, it is also rich in antioxidants and offers numerous other health benefits when consumed. The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties can be very effective in treating colds and other infections, clearing skin irritations, and healing wounds. Chamomile tea is the best way to extract the natural health benefits of this plant, and is prepared by infusing the Chamomile flowers and buds in hot water.

• Whilst Chamomile is the first herb recalled when it comes to sleep, Lavender, one of the most versatile flowers, is not far behind. Besides making beautiful ornamental plants, these delicate and vibrant flowers can be infused to make a naturally healthy brew. Lavender tea is a natural sedative and can even ease migraines, due to its calming effects on the nervous system. Lavender tea is best sipped slowly, so as to take in the fragrance of the brew. Lavender oils are one of the most sought after bye-products of the flowers, used for antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Even though the flowers give out a fragrance that is pleasing to humans, the scent wards off mosquitoes, making it a naturally effective mosquito repellent. Lavender is also used for culinary purposes due to its mild sweet flavour, in the preparation of salads and dressings.

There are 2 teas from our collection which are perfect as bedtime brews. Chamomile tea has pure flowers sourced from the foothills of the Himalayas while Lavender White Tea has a very small amount of caffeine from the White Tea buds.

Natural herbal infusions can influence the quality of sleep to a certain extent, but can only be 100% beneficial when complemented with the right lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, healthy diets and maintaining a constant sleep schedule.