Herbalism
Valerian Root & Hops | Calming Tea blend for an Evening of Rest
By Christalynn Releford·July 29, 2026· 4 min read
Chamomile does not ask much. Warm water just off the boil, four minutes covered, one honest spoonful of local honey stirred in slow circles.
Drink it from the cup you like best — the one with the small chip you keep meaning to replace but never do. Sit somewhere your feet can rest flat on the floor.
This is not a health drink. It is a small ceremony that tells your body the day is finished, and that is medicine enough.
Valerian Root & Hops Calming Evening Tea
Prep
5 minutes
Cook
10 minutes steeping
Additional
—
Total
15 minutes
Servings
1 cup
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried valerian root
- 1 teaspoon dried hops flowers
- 2 teaspoons dried chamomile flowers
- 1 teaspoon dried lemon balm
- 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender buds
- 8 oz water, just off the boil
- 1 teaspoon raw local honey
- Tea infuser or reusable muslin bag
Instructions
- 1Blend the dried herbs together in a small bowl until evenly mixed.
- 2Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of the blend into an infuser or muslin bag.
- 3Heat water to just below boiling — around 200°F, when the bubbles first break.
- 4Warm your cup with a splash of hot water, then pour it out.
- 5Place the infuser in the cup and pour the water over the herbs.
- 6Cover the cup with a small saucer to keep the volatile oils from escaping.
- 7Steep for a full 8 to 10 minutes; valerian root needs the extra time.
- 8Lift out the infuser without squeezing it, which can turn the brew bitter.
- 9Stir in the honey in slow circles once the tea has cooled slightly.
- 10Sip an hour before bed, somewhere your feet can rest flat on the floor.
- 11Store the remaining dry blend in a sealed jar away from light for up to six months.
Notes
- Valerian smells stronger than it tastes — the chamomile and lemon balm soften it.
- Not recommended alongside sedatives or during pregnancy.
