Mortar & KettleHERBAL TEA · №003
Spikenard & Star Anise Easy · 10 min · Forgiving · 1 cup earthy, resinous calm A slow, grounding infusion where spikenard's dark forest-floor resin meets the sweet licorice lift of star anise. It settles the nervous system and coaxes the body toward sleep, an earthy quiet you can taste. INGREDIENTS 0.5 g spikenard root (dried; ≈ 1/4 tsp) 0.3 g star anise (broken; ≈ 1/8 tsp) 300 ml filtered water (just off the boil) Method Combine the spikenard root and broken star anise in a small pot. Pour over just-boiled water and cover. Steep long and slow so the root gives up its earthy resin, then strain. (8–10 min) The chemistry jatamansone · earthy, sedative anethole (C₁₀H₁₂O) · sweet, licorice

Mortar & Kettle · MORTARANDKETTLE.COM

HERBAL TEA · №003

Spikenard & Star Anise

Name: Spikenard & Star Anise
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 300 cups
Ingredients: 0.5 g spikenard root; 0.3 g star anise; 300 ml filtered water

earthy, resinous calm

A slow, grounding infusion where spikenard's dark forest-floor resin meets the sweet licorice lift of star anise. It settles the nervous system and coaxes the body toward sleep, an earthy quiet you can taste.

Easy10 minForgiving

EarthyWoodyCalmingSleep

Method

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Combine the spikenard root and broken star anise in a small pot.

▸0.5 gspikenard root▸0.3 gstar anise

Pour over just-boiled water and cover.

▸300 mlfiltered water

Steep long and slow so the root gives up its earthy resin, 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

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

jatamansone

The signature sesquiterpene of spikenard root; it carries the deep, resinous forest-floor character and quiets the nervous system to draw the body toward sleep.

EarthySleep

C₁₀H₁₂O

anethole

C₁₀H₁₂O

The bright aromatic heart of star anise; it lends a sweet, warming licorice lift that softens spikenard's woody depth and settles the stomach into calm.

WoodyCalming