Mortar & KettleHERBAL TEA · №018
Deep Sleep Tea Easy · 10 min · Moderate · 1 cup a heavy-lidded nightcap A heavy-lidded nightcap that trades stimulation for surrender: sweet fennel and honeyed chamomile soften the edges while lavender and valerian pull the nervous system down toward sleep. Sip it covered and warm, just before bed, and let the botanicals do the settling. INGREDIENTS 0.4 g fennel seeds (or anise; lightly crushed) 1 g chamomile flowers (dried) 0.09 g dried lavender 0.2 g lemon valerian 2 leaves fresh mint (optional) 300 ml filtered water Method Simmer the fennel in the water to open its sweetness. (3 min) Turn off the heat and add the chamomile, lavender, valerian, and mint. Steep, covered, then strain and drink just before bed. (6–7 min) The chemistry linalool (C₁₀H₁₈O) · floral, soothing apigenin (C₁₅H₁₀O₅) · sedative flavone anethole (C₁₀H₁₂O) · sweet, licorice-like valerenic acid (C₁₅H₂₂O₂) · deeply sedating

Mortar & Kettle · MORTARANDKETTLE.COM

HERBAL TEA · №018

Deep Sleep Tea

Name: Deep Sleep Tea
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 300 cups
Ingredients: 0.4 g fennel seeds; 1 g chamomile flowers; 0.09 g dried lavender; 0.2 g lemon valerian; 2 leaves fresh mint; 300 ml filtered water

a heavy-lidded nightcap

A heavy-lidded nightcap that trades stimulation for surrender: sweet fennel and honeyed chamomile soften the edges while lavender and valerian pull the nervous system down toward sleep. Sip it covered and warm, just before bed, and let the botanicals do the settling.

Easy10 minModerate

FloralSweetSleepCalming

Method

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Simmer the fennel in the water to open its sweetness.

▸0.4 gfennel seeds▸300 mlfiltered water

3 min

Turn off the heat and add the chamomile, lavender, valerian, and mint.

▸1 gchamomile flowers▸0.09 gdried lavender▸0.2 glemon valerian▸2 leavesfresh mint

Steep, covered, then strain and drink just before bed.

6–7 min

“A good steep is chemistry with the kettle on. Mind the minutes.”

THE MORTAR & KETTLE METHOD

The chemistry

SKELETAL STRUCTURES

4 compounds carry this recipe. Here is what each one does and, where we have it, what it actually looks like.

C₁₀H₁₈O

linalool

C₁₀H₁₈O

The soft floral heart of lavender; it quiets the nervous system and lends the tea its calming, sleep-leaning perfume.

FloralCalming

C₁₅H₁₀O₅

apigenin

C₁₅H₁₀O₅

Chamomile's signature flavone binds to the brain's benzodiazepine-adjacent receptors, easing the mind toward rest.

SleepCalming

C₁₀H₁₂O

anethole

C₁₀H₁₂O

Released when the fennel simmers, it gives the brew its rounded, honeyed sweetness and a gentle digestive calm.

SweetCalming

C₁₅H₂₂O₂

valerenic acid

C₁₅H₂₂O₂

Valerian's active acid slows GABA breakdown in the brain, deepening the tea's pull toward sleep.

SleepCalming