Christie C. One day, I realized how poorly I’ve been sleeping. Step one was to reduce technology use, and this has indeed helped. Step two is to drink this amazing Blue Dream Tea, especially on a quiet evening while the rain pitter patters on the windows.
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world” ―
Harriet Tubman
Why You’ll Love This Blue Dream Tea Recipe
- Extremely soothing and puts you to sleep
- Contains all natural ingredients
- Vegan and vegetarian friendly
- Ingredients can be homegrown
Inspiration for Blue Dream Chamomile Tea Recipe
This past summer, I experimented with growing my own tea―or, to be precise, herbal infusions. I was supposed to have a little garden laden with Marvelette Blue Calamintha, Butterfly Peas, Greek Mountain Tea mint, spearmint, and lavender. Later on, I would add catnip to my garden to appease our kitty Cleopatra. Not everything grew, but I did get a lovely amount of mint, catnip, and lavender. The most rewarding of the tea crops that I planted however, was the Greek Mountain Tea Mint, which I was able to brew into the most stunning, sweet and citrusy herbal tea.
After playing around with a few herbal infusions, I experimented with putting together a tea that would be suitable for soothing the mind and body for sleep. I don’t like the blend in famous Sleepytime Tea, so I created my own blend using dried herbs and some of my homegrown herbs. My Blue Dream Tea is as delicious as it is beautiful with its bejeweled aquamarine to sapphire toned infusion. The blue comes from the Butterfly Pea flower, which I learned about while traveling in Belize.
Fresh Herbal Leaves 🍃
The tea contains the following:
1. Chamomile
Chamomile is the main ingredient in the Blue Dream Tea. It is well known for being calming due to an antioxidant called apigenin, which binds to specific receptors in our brains to help reduce stress and anxiety. Combined with its mild sedative properties, chamomile may improve sleep quality when consumed before bed.
2. Greek Mountain Tea Mint
Traditionally used the Mediterranean for various ailments, Greek Mountain Tea Mint has mild antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help support the immune system and reduce inflammation in the body.
3. Catnip
Although we usually give catnip to our kitties, it is edible for humans. In people, catnip is mildly sedative and may help calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety. It can also soothe the stomach and relieve digestive discomfort such as bloating, gas, and indigestion. If you suffer with menstrual discomfort, you can also use it as a mild antispasmodic to help relax muscles and reduce pain.
4. Butterfly Pea Flower
Known for its nootropic properties, butterfly pea flower may improve memory and cognitive function by increasing acetylcholine levels. It also acts as a natural relaxant, helping to alleviate stress and promote a sense of calm. Plus, the natural blue color it produces is mesmerizing.
Disclaimer: Be mindful, however, that although these herbs are generally safe to consume, always check with your doctor to see if you may have allergies, be pregnant, or may be using a medication that could interact with these herbs. None of these teas should be used in lieu of professional medical advice or treatments.
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Special Tools and Equipment
- Hot water or tea kettle
- Strainer
Blue Dream Tea
Ingredients
- 1 spring (3 to 4 inches) fresh catnip, or 1 tbsp dried catnip leaves
- 1 spring (3 to 4 inches) fresh Greek mountain tea mint, or 1 tbsp dried Greek Mountain tea mint
- 1 tbsp dried butterfly pea flowers
- 1 tbsp dried Chamomile flowers
- 24 oz (710ml) hot water
- honey, date syrup, or any sweetener to taste
Instructions
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Rinse the fresh mountain tea leaves and catnip in vegetable wash or 1:4 ratio of vinegar and water to remove any dirt, debris, and insects. Skip this step if using dried varieties.
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Bring 24oz (710ml) of water to a boil in a kettle.
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Once the water comes to a boil, pour all of the botanicals into a tea pot or kettle and steep the tea for 5 to 10 minutes.
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Add honey or your choice of sweetener to taste.
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If necessary, strain the tea using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any remaining leaf or flower bits.
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Serve the Blue Dream Tea hot.
