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Chamomile & Lemon Balm Sleep Tea

A calming bedtime tea blend that gently eases anxiety and prepares the mind and body for restful sleep.

teasSleep & RelaxationBeginner⏱ 5 minsShelf life: 12 months (dried blend)

Benefits

Promotes sleepReduces anxietyCalmingDigestive

Ingredients

  • Dried chamomile flowers — 3 tbsp
  • Dried lemon balm — 2 tbsp
  • Dried lavender flowers — 1 tbsp
  • Dried passionflower — 1 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Mix herbs and store in a glass jar.
  2. Add 1 heaped tablespoon per cup of boiling water.
  3. Steep covered for 10 minutes.
  4. Strain and drink 30 minutes before bed.

Interactions & contraindications

Dried chamomile flowers

Full profile
  • CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects

Pregnancy

Use Caution

Occasional culinary-strength tea is widely used traditionally, but German chamomile has mild emmenagogue (uterine-stimulant) activity — concentrated extracts, capsules, or frequent strong tea are generally advised against, especially in the first trimester or with a history of miscarriage.

Breastfeeding

Likely Safe

Commonly used traditionally in normal tea amounts to support let-down and calm the nursing parent; considered compatible with breastfeeding.

Children

Likely Safe

Widely used in mild diluted tea form for infant colic and sleep in traditional practice. Rare allergic reactions occur in children with a known ragweed/daisy (Asteraceae) family allergy.

As a member of the Asteraceae (ragweed/daisy) family, this herb carries a real chance of cross-reaction in anyone allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies — introduce cautiously if there's a known allergy.

Blood thinners (warfarin)

Contains natural coumarins with mild anticoagulant activity.

Sedatives

Additive drowsiness.

Dried lemon balm

Full profile
  • CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects

Pregnancy

Likely Safe

Generally considered one of the gentler calming herbs; commonly used in normal tea amounts for pregnancy-related anxiety, though very high/concentrated doses are best avoided given a mild traditional reputation for affecting thyroid hormone levels.

Breastfeeding

Likely Safe

Widely used traditionally to calm both nursing parent and colicky infant via the parent's tea; considered compatible with breastfeeding in normal amounts.

Children

Likely Safe

One of the most commonly used calming herbs for children in traditional practice, including for sleep and mild digestive upset, in diluted tea form.

Sedatives, thyroid medication

Additive sedative effect; may interact with thyroid hormone regulation at high doses.

Dried lavender flowers

Full profile
  • CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects

Pregnancy

Likely Safe

Aromatherapy and mild tea use are widely considered safe throughout pregnancy; internal use of concentrated lavender oil/capsules is less studied and generally kept to topical/inhaled use instead.

Breastfeeding

Likely Safe

Aromatherapy and topical use are considered compatible with breastfeeding; avoid direct application near the nipple/areola before nursing.

Children

Use Caution

Diluted aromatherapy is commonly used to help children sleep. Repeated topical exposure in prepubertal boys has been raised as a possible (though not conclusively proven) factor in rare cases of hormone-related breast tissue changes — avoid regular, undiluted topical use.

Sedatives

Additive drowsiness, particularly with oral use.

Dried passionflower

Full profile
  • CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects

Pregnancy

Avoid

Passionflower has a traditional reputation for stimulating uterine contractions and is generally advised against during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Use Caution

Limited formal safety data; sedative herbs can cause infant drowsiness via milk — used cautiously if at all.

Children

Use Caution

Sometimes used short-term for children's anxiety/sleep in mild tea form under guidance; not well studied for regular pediatric use.

Sedatives, MAOIs

Additive sedative effect; theoretical MAOI interaction.