Sleep & rest

The daisy-like chamomile flower — the kitchen herb of Latin American homes, given to babies for upset stomachs and to grown-ups for the nerves.

Traditional use: Brewed for stomachaches, gas, restless sleep, and tension. Cooled tea is used as a compress for tired eyes.

The tart cherry of Persian kitchens — eaten fresh in summer, preserved as jam and syrup all year.

Traditional use: Sharbat-e ālbāloo (sour-cherry syrup) is sipped as a cooling drink and folk remedy for restless sleep. Tart ch…

A small woody root nicknamed 'Indian ginseng' — one of Ayurveda's main rasayanas (rejuvenatives).

Traditional use: Taken with warm milk and a touch of ghee at night for stress, depleted energy, and shaky sleep. Modern trials…

A glossy, bitter, woody mushroom called the 'mushroom of immortality' in old texts.

Traditional use: Simmered for hours in slow tonics for calm, sleep, and long-term immune support. A classic adaptogen.

The fragrant pink damascena rose; petals are dried for tea and distilled into golāb (rose water).

Traditional use: A soft, soothing tea after meals or when the heart is heavy. Rose water is added to syrups, sweets, and sprink…

Purple star-shaped flowers brewed into a strikingly violet tea — a beloved Persian calming drink.

Traditional use: Brewed for nervousness, mild fever, and a heavy chest. Often combined with a touch of saffron and rock sugar.

A small fragrant mountain herb gathered in summer across the Armenian highlands.

Traditional use: Brewed as a daily tea for colds, sore throat, and unsettled stomachs. Honey is added once the tea cools.

A revered Indian basil grown by the doorway of many homes — both a sacred plant and a daily adaptogenic tea.

Traditional use: Brewed daily for stress, low-grade colds, and steady mood. Often called the 'queen of herbs.'