Mortar & KettleHERBAL TEA · №004
Spikenard, Lavender & Star Anise Easy · 10 min · Forgiving · 1 cup grounding and floral at once A tea that reaches in two directions at once: the damp, resinous earth of spikenard root anchored to the high floral lift of lavender, with star anise threading a sweet warmth between them. It settles the nervous system and coaxes the body toward sleep, grounding and lulling in the same sip. INGREDIENTS 0.5 g spikenard root (dried; ≈ 1/4 tsp) 0.05 g dried lavender (≈ 1/16 tsp buds) 0.05 g star anise (tiny pinch) 300 ml filtered water (just off the boil) Method Combine the spikenard, lavender, and star anise in a small pot. Pour over just-boiled water and cover to hold the aromatics in. Steep slowly so the earthy root and floral lavender settle together, then strain. (8–10 min) The chemistry linalool (C₁₀H₁₈O) · floral, soothing anethole (C₁₀H₁₂O) · sweet, warm jatamansone · earthy, sedative

Mortar & Kettle · MORTARANDKETTLE.COM

HERBAL TEA · №004

Spikenard, Lavender & Star Anise

Name: Spikenard, Lavender & Star Anise
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 300 cups
Ingredients: 0.5 g spikenard root; 0.05 g dried lavender; 0.05 g star anise; 300 ml filtered water

grounding and floral at once

A tea that reaches in two directions at once: the damp, resinous earth of spikenard root anchored to the high floral lift of lavender, with star anise threading a sweet warmth between them. It settles the nervous system and coaxes the body toward sleep, grounding and lulling in the same sip.

Easy10 minForgiving

EarthyFloralCalmingSleep

Spikenard, Lavender & Star Anise · finished

Method

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Combine the spikenard, lavender, and star anise in a small pot.

▸0.5 gspikenard root▸0.05 gdried lavender▸0.05 gstar anise

Pour over just-boiled water and cover to hold the aromatics in.

▸300 mlfiltered water

Steep slowly so the earthy root and floral lavender settle together, then strain.

8–10 min

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

THE MORTAR & KETTLE METHOD

The chemistry

SKELETAL STRUCTURES

3 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 lift above the earthy base.

FloralCalming

C₁₀H₁₂O

anethole

C₁₀H₁₂O

The sweet licorice-anise principle of star anise; it rounds the bridge between root and flower and adds a gentle, settling warmth.

FloralSleep

jatamansone

A sesquiterpene from spikenard root that carries its deep, resinous earthiness and its traditional quieting, sleep-inviting pull.

EarthySleep