As I was talking to my friend one day, the conversation turned to how we handle stress. A fellow mom of four children, my friend admitted that she often gets stressed out with the craziness that can accompany having a bunch of kids to care for.

“Oh yes, I said. I so know how that goes. I’m really good at stressing out over nothing and turning into a total spaz.”

She looked me quizzically and said, “Really? You always seem so mellow. I figured you’re always pretty calm.”

I do believe I laughed in her face. (Sorry again, friend.)

The truth is, while I have gotten so much better at reducing stress and staying calm over the last few years, I still have a talent for making mountains out of mole hills. Like Mt. Everest sized mountains from tiny mounds of dirt you need a microscope to see.

Thankfully, I’ve learned some tricks to help me reduce those perceived problems so that I can calmly handle the situation.

Reducing clutter helped a ton (clutter makes me crazy faster than anything), as did minimizing outside commitments. And then there are natural remedies, like herbs and essential oils.

DIY Herbal Infusion for Stressed Moms

Today, I’m sharing an herbal infusion that’s easy to make and incorporate into your daily routine. You can make a large batch of the infusion on a regular basis and sip on it throughout the day. Or, if you’d like to make it as needed, you can drink it as a tea instead.

This mixture includes a few herbs that are particularly great for women, especially those who are feeling a bit stressed out. The herbs included are soothing and full of minerals to help support a healthy body.

• Red raspberry leaf: Full of easily assimilated minerals. Also soothes inflammation in the digestive tract and tones the uterus.
• Lemon balm: Soothes the digestive tract and calms the nervous system.
• Nettle leaf: Rich in minerals, especially calcium. Great for calming muscles spasms and toning the uterus.
• Lavender buds: Soothes frazzled nerves and promotes a feeling of calm.

So how do you make this calming, mineral-rich infusion? It just takes a few simple steps.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups dried lemon balm
• 3/4 cup dried lavender flowers
• 1/4 cup dried red raspberry leaf
• 1/4 cup dried nettle leaf

Directions

Put all of the herbs in a quart-size Mason jar with a lid and shake well to combine. Create a label with the ingredients and brewing directions and stick it on the jar.

To Use

Bring at least a quart of water to a boil and remove from heat for a few minutes. Place 2 Tbsp of the tea in a quart-size canning jar. Carefully, pour the hot water over the tea, leaving an inch of head space. Screw the lid on tightly and let it brew for at least 8 hours. Strain out the herbs and sip on the infusion through the day. Enjoy hot or chilled.

You can also make just a cup of tea. I either use my brewing basket or TARDIS tea infuser that my brother got me (Whovian here) to brew tea in. You can also use a tea ball or whatever strainer you have handy.

Put 1 tsp tea in your brewing device of choice and put it in your tea cup. Fill the cup with that just-boiled water and let it steep at least five minutes.

(Please consult with a health professional knowledgable in the use of herbs before consuming this infusion if you are pregnant or nursing.)

Do you handle stress well? What helps?