Herbalism
Selah: A Herbal Remedy for Rest & Relaxation
By Iris Marlow·February 18, 2026· 6 min read
Cut flowers in the morning after the dew has lifted. Choose flat-faced blooms — cosmos, violas, larkspur — and press them between the pages of a book you rarely open.
Two weeks later, lift them out with a soft brush. Arrange them between two panes of glass, bound at the edges with linen tape. Hang in a window where afternoon light can pass through and remember summer for you.
The frame is beautiful. The waiting is the point.
Selah Valerian & Hops Sleep Tincture
Prep
20 minutes
Cook
—
Additional
4–6 weeks steeping
Total
6 weeks
Servings
About 12 oz
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried valerian root, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup dried hops flowers
- 2 tablespoons dried passionflower (optional)
- 1 tablespoon dried lemon balm
- 1 1/2 cups 80–100 proof vodka or brandy
- 1 pint-size glass jar with a tight lid
- Muslin or fine mesh strainer
- Amber dropper bottles for storing
Instructions
- 1Wipe the jar clean and dry it completely — any water shortens the shelf life.
- 2Add the valerian root to the jar, breaking up any large pieces first.
- 3Layer in the hops, passionflower, and lemon balm.
- 4Pour the alcohol over the herbs until they are submerged by at least two inches.
- 5Press the herbs down gently with a clean spoon to release trapped air.
- 6Seal the jar and label it with the date and contents.
- 7Store in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct sun.
- 8Shake the jar once daily for the first two weeks — it is a small ritual worth keeping.
- 9Let the tincture steep for a full 4 to 6 weeks.
- 10Strain through muslin into a clean bowl, squeezing the herbs to get every drop.
- 11Funnel the finished tincture into amber dropper bottles.
- 12Label with the date and dosage, and store away from heat and light.
Notes
- Begin with 1/2 dropper an hour before bed and adjust slowly from there.
- Avoid combining with sedative medication or alcohol; ask your care provider first.
