Ok, I can smell the valerian in this one. It’s gonna put me in a coma for sure. I’ve heard Valerian described as smelling like old socks and various other horrible things but have never really found it objectionable. It has good associations for me, probably because I’m the kind of angst-y person who can always appreciate a bit of calming influence.

Some years ago, I devised a calming herbal blend of the same name—Two, actually. One I named sereni-tea to sooth my nerves. The second I named Mister T—to knock me out. The second one had valerian as I was dealing with insomnia. It was pretty effective. So now I’m a little concerned that this blend, which smells like valerian, will put me in a coma and disrupt my work today. Oh well, we’ll see.

It tastes…ok. Not particularly objectionable. Sort of a pleasant, generic herbal blend. Some mild mint in there somewhere and other good weedy stuff, enough that I can taste more than valerian. Yeah it’s there, but there’s enough other stuff to “sweeten” the blend and give it a sort of overall pleasant taste reminiscent of the old fashioned hippy tea blends of the seventies. Back when it was all about bucking the evil caffeine establishment and using healthy herbs. I get a little nostalgic with medicinal brews because they are more like the ones back then—A bit less about extracts and flavorings and more about getting certain health effects.

This one seems to be working. I’m starting to rub my eyes and yawn a bit. I probably ought to save it for individual cups in the evening rather than cold brewing it in the middle of the day. I’m becoming a bit mellower than I ought to for this time of day.

I’ll have to remember this stuff for times of stress though. It’s relaxing me very nicely, which helps my aches and pains too.

Terri HarpLady

I love Valerian. It’s on my list of favorite herbs.

Terri HarpLady

In fact, I should have drank some last night!

gmathis

Do you steep your valerian straight up? I’ve never had much luck with it in herbal blends.

Terri HarpLady

If it’s in a blend, I don’t mind it. I don’t keep the herb around, but will add a eyedropper or 2 of the tincture to teas.

MsWhatsit

I’m still cold brewing most of my teas lately…the cold weather has not really settled in and I’m lazy. It seemed to work fine anyway. Your mileage may vary.

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Terri HarpLady

I love Valerian. It’s on my list of favorite herbs.

Terri HarpLady

In fact, I should have drank some last night!

gmathis

Do you steep your valerian straight up? I’ve never had much luck with it in herbal blends.

Terri HarpLady

If it’s in a blend, I don’t mind it. I don’t keep the herb around, but will add a eyedropper or 2 of the tincture to teas.

MsWhatsit

I’m still cold brewing most of my teas lately…the cold weather has not really settled in and I’m lazy. It seemed to work fine anyway. Your mileage may vary.

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I write stories, entertain kids with various clown skills and play the harp.

Oh, and I drink tea. Well of course I do. Why else would I be hanging around here?

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