How to Make Tea With Passion Flower

According to the National Institutes of Health, passion flower is often used to treat insomnia because it is believed to induce restful, relaxing sleep. The following recipe combines chamomile, passion flower and lavender for relaxation, stress relief and overall well-being. Due to the soporific qualities of these herbs, it's best to drink this tea before bed time.

Things You'll Need

• Amber or dark glass jar
• 1 cup chamomile flowers
• 1/4 cup lavender buds
• 1/4 cup passion flower
• 1/4 cup lemon verbena
• 1/4 cup rose hips
• Teapot with infuser

Instructions

1. Combine the herbs in the glass jar and shake the jar to blend them.

2. Place the infuser inside the empty teapot.

3. Bring water to a boil. Pour a small amount of the water into the empty teapot and swirl the water around to heat the teapot and the infuser.

4. Add 1 tbsp. of tea per cup of water to the infuser then add 1 extra tbsp. "for the pot." Example, 3 cups of water takes 4 tbsp. of tea.

5. Pour the boiling water over the tea and let it steep for at least 5 minutes. The longer it steeps, the stronger the brew.

6. Remove the infuser and serve the tea with honey.

Tips & Warnings

• It's best to use a tea pot with an infuser rather than a tea ball. The infuser allows the tea to expand, making a more satisfying brew. If your tea pot does not have an infuser, you can also brew the tea loose in the pot. If using this method, strain the tea through a coffee filter or let it sit until the tea settles on the bottom. To make tea by the mug, use a ball infuser and fill only one half with tea to allow for expansion.

• Allergy sufferers beware, chamomile is part of the ragweed family and may cause an allergic reaction. If ragweed is an issue, remove the chamomile and double up on the other herbs.

Resources

• National Institutes of Health