How to Make Poppy Seed Sleepy Time Tea

SERVINGS: 1

PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES

COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES

MEAL: DRINK

STYLE: MIDDLE-EASTERN, AYURVEDIC

PREPARATION: TEA, BOILED

EAT IN: AUTUMN-WINTER

FOR OCCASION: BED-TIME

How Can This Ayurvedic Recipe Make You Feel Great?

AYURVEDIC ANALYSIS

Retreat into Sleep

Poppy Seed Sleepy Time Tea will gently lull you into a comforting dreamscape. Memories of insomnia drift into the shadows as you replenish your body and mind with this creamy navy-speckled tea. Imagine the comfort of snuggling beneath a soft blanket, pulling it up over your ears, and sinking into its peaceful warmth. This is the sensational calm offered by a steaming cup of Poppy Seed Sleepy Time Tea.

Nutty, grounding, and sweet, each element of this tea is carefully chosen to create the coziness you crave in early fall. Shiny, blue-black poppy seeds and rich nutmeg are quietly intoxicating, bringing your turning mind to a pleasant rest. Ground-up poppy seeds create an oil-rich paste that is dark & earthy, a substance that embodies night's stillness and nurturing yin. Aromatic cardamom and heating honey moves soothing warmth throughout your tired body. When steeped in rich whole milk, this tea becomes the soothing restorative you've been dreaming of for ages. The next time you can't sleep, pull on your favorite slippers, shuffle to the kitchen, and make a cup of Poppy Seed Sleepy Time Tea. You'll be drifting off to dreamland in no time.

Soothing Sleep Aid

Poppy Seed Sleepy Time Tea is an effective remedy for occasional and chronic insomnia. Sleeplessness becomes an issue in times of high stress, anxiety, transition, and the windy fall. Inspire the calm stillness of a winter's night, comfortably wrapped in the deep blackness of a new moon, with this sleepy time tea. Poppy seeds contain small amounts of opium alkaloids, while opium is derived from the milky sap of unripe poppy flower pods. The seeds contain much less of the narcotic alkaloids but are calming none the less. At such small doses, poppy seeds are a safe sedative that actually strengthen and calm your nerves, and were historically recommended tonics for pregnant women, nursing women, and children. When combined with nutmeg, another mild sedative, Poppy Seed Sleepy Time Tea becomes the ideal sleep aid for sleepless nights.

Strengthens and Restores

Poppy Seed Sleepy Time Tea is a serene tonic for those who feel chronically depleted and worn down. Poppy seeds are extremely rich in minerals and oils, and are known to restore the body. According to Chinese Medicine, their deep blue color indicates that they strengthen the kidneys, which is fundamental for building vibrancy and vitality. Since poppys contains moisturizing oils, adding them into your diet will nourish and tone your skin. Steeping your poppy seeds in nourishing milk increases this tea's tonifying abilities - called a "rasayana" in Ayurveda. An effective nourishing tonic such as this tea will relax your central nervous system, putting your body in "rest and digest" mode, so your body can use its energy to rebuild strength and resilience.

The added warmth of honey and cardamom helps those with weak digestion to enjoy all the comfort offered by this soothing tea. If Sleepy Time Tea still feels too heavy, add a pinch of ginger, or pippali (long pepper) to heat things up. Alternatively, use almond milk instead of cow's milk to lighten this drink.

Melt Your Worries

As fall moves in, evenings become cooler and cooler, while wind shakes dry leaves from the trees. Perhaps you hear dry branches scratching against your windowpane after a gust of wind, or maybe you hear the crunch of newly fallen leaves beneath your feet. The harsh, cool, and changing landscape brings disquiet to the mind, increase Vata dosha. Your fall mind is like the sapless leaves blowing in the wind: restless and unable to settle. Poppy seeds are known for their ability to strengthen and calm nerves, and melt away your worries and stress. Worry-filled fall nights are made for grounding Poppy Seed Sleepy Time Tea, which will wrap you in sensations of warm, soothing comfort.

Pain Relief

Poppy seeds are also known as a mild painkiller and muscle relaxant. Mildly sedative and analgesic, poppy seeds and nutmeg soften the harsh edge of chronic pain so you can relax enough to finally sleep. They are anti-spasmodic, meaning that poppy seeds have a special ability to allow muscles to relax, another element that helps soften muscle twitches, headaches, joint pain, painful digestion, and even toothaches. In fact, pain relief is the main use of poppy seeds in Chinese medicine.

Remedy for Diarrhea

Poppy seeds with nutmeg are an especially useful combination in diarrhea. Carminatives and appetizers like fennel seeds, saffron, and cardamom (our aromatic of choice in this recipe) address poor digestion, which is the root cause of deficiency-based diarrhea. When your body feels exhausted, the spleen can no longer sustain its "holding" function according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. The result is often diarrhea; your body can't retain stools long enough to absorb water and minerals. Poppy seeds are mildly astringent and high in fiber, enabling your colon to absorb more water from the stool. Deficiency diarrhea creates a dangerous loop - it creates more deficiency, which creates more severe insomnia. Since deficiency and insomnia go hand in hand, Poppy Seed Sleepytime Tea is an excellent remedy to break the cycle, helping you gain strength which will in turn improve sleep quality and absorption of your food.

Sometimes diarrhea is caused by hot, inflamed stomach and intestinal linings. The cold quality of this formula soothes these heat conditions, allowing you to digest your food, pain-free. Lastly, the antispasmodic properties of both poppy seeds and nutmeg helps relax intestinal cramping for comfortable peristalsis (the gentle wave of the intestines that moves a stool towards elimination). In Chinese medicine, poppy seeds are used to tonify and strengthen the large intestine which leads to improved digestion and better absorption.

Helpful for Cough

Harsh, dry coughs can harm the delicate tissues of the lungs over extended periods of time. The sedative and antispasmodic properties of this tea will relax and quiet your lungs, while plentiful oils will nourish injured lung tissue. Cardamom will improve circulation and ease difficult breathing while honey helps relieve congestion.

WHAT IS POPPY SEED SLEEPY TIME TEA?

Warm & relaxing. Aromatic cardamom balances the grounding tones of nutmeg and poppy seeds. This recipe is a gentle sedative if you are having a hard time falling asleep.

WHY EAT AN AYURVEDIC DIET?

Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with at any given time. Ayurveda shows you your specific body type’s needs and what should be favored in your Ayurvedic menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you experience optimal health.

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Is Poppy Seed Sleepy Time Tea Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether Poppy Seed Sleepy Time Tea is a good fit for you. Time to complete: approximately 1 minute.

AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL BIOCHARACTERISTICS

What is the biocharacteristic theory of medicine?

INCREASES Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas) Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic. Learn More	COLD ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD OILY ABOUT OILY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Oily refers to anything fatty, or that increases fat. LEARN MORE ABOUT OILY HEAVY ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight. LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY
TASTES The 6 Tastes Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below? Learn More	SWEET ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET ASTRINGENT ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying. LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT
DOSHAS The Three Doshas / Body Types According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history. The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. Catabolic people tend to be easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic people tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic people are heavy, stable and grounded, but if they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Learn More	PACIFIES AGGRAVATES
HAS THE FOLLOWING	EFFECT: Ojas OJAS Ojas is the essence of healthy tissue, immunity, stable energy and happiness. Substances that improve ojas are recommended after long-term illness, debility, emotional and physical trauma, and even sadness. LEARN MORE ABOUT OJAS , Tamasic TAMASIC Tamasic foods promote rest, sleepiness and stillness. Examples include wheat, mushrooms. LEARN MORE ABOUT TAMASIC , Alkalizing ALKALIZING An herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions. LEARN MORE ABOUT ALKALIZING , Prana PRANA Prana is the Sanskrit word for vital life energy, similar to Qi in Chinese Medicine. Many herbs stimulate your energy, or improve the flow of prana through your body. Generally, prana needs to be increased in spring after a sleepy winter. LEARN MORE ABOUT PRANA TYPE: Dairy, Nuts Seeds CONTAINS: Non Vegan NON-VEGAN A recipe or diet that includes meat and/or dairy products. LEARN MORE ABOUT NON-VEGAN , Lactose LACTOSE Lactose is a sugar found in milk derived from galactose and glucose. It is difficult for many people to digest. LEARN MORE ABOUT LACTOSE , Allergens ELEMENT: Earth EARTH Resembles earth (prithvi) in quality - heavy, dense, solid, stable, hard. LEARN MORE ABOUT EARTH SUBTASTE: Musky MUSKY Have an earthy smell to them, such as mushrooms. LEARN MORE ABOUT MUSKY , Aromatic AROMATIC Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues. LEARN MORE ABOUT AROMATIC NUTRIENT: Zinc, Calcium, Insoluble Fiber, Fats COLOR: White, Blue Purple NOURISHES: Muscle MUSCLE Muscle tissue (Mamsa Dhatu) includes muscles and ligaments. LEARN MORE ABOUT MUSCLE , Reproductive REPRODUCTIVE Reproductive tissue (Shukra/Artava Dhatu) includes male and female reproductive organs. LEARN MORE ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE , Plasma PLASMA Plasma (Rasa Dhatu) includes plasma, white blood cells, and lymph. LEARN MORE ABOUT PLASMA , Marrow MARROW Marrow tissue (Majja Dhatu) includes bone marrow and nervous tissue. LEARN MORE ABOUT MARROW , Bone BONE Bone tissue (Asthi Dhatu) includes the bones, hair, and nails. LEARN MORE ABOUT BONE , Fat FAT Fat tissue (Meda Dhatu) includes adipose tissue and sebum (skin oil). LEARN MORE ABOUT FAT MOVES ENERGY: Inward INWARD Inward moving substances promote introspection, self reflection, stillness, or slow the system down. LEARN MORE ABOUT INWARD , Downward DOWNWARD Downward-moving (Adho Gati Marga) substances move food downward in the GI tract, settle the nervous system, and relax muscles. LEARN MORE ABOUT DOWNWARD

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Experiences are Personal

Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

Digestion:

Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward.

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Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, colic or IBS.

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Energy Vitality Strength:

Satisfies stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

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Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

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Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb strengthens tissue, often restoring healthy function. Tonics usually target a specific organ, tissue, or system ie: brain, muscle or respiratory tonic.

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Heart & Circulation:

Calms heart

CALMS-HEART

An herb that literally calms the heart. These herbs are helpful in the treatment of anxiety, sadness, depression, or other emotional imbalances in the heart. Related to the Chinese Herbal Category 'calms spirit.'

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Styptic

STYPTIC

A herb that contracts tissue or blood vessels. Generally styptics are astringent. They are often used to stop bleeding.

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Kidney & Urinary:

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

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Lung and Sinus:

Soothes throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

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Antitussive

ANTITUSSIVE

Cough suppressant, particularly for dry coughs or a tickle in your throat.

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Demulcent

DEMULCENT

Herbs that coat or form a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane.

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Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Stimulates base of skull

STIMULATES-BASE-OF-SKULL

Creates a feeling of awareness or tension in the area at the base of the skull.

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Relieves tension

RELIEVES-TENSION

An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.

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Relaxes mind

RELAXES-MIND

Reduces mental agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

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Relaxes eyes

RELAXES-EYES

Eases tension in eye muscles, so the eyes feel less strained, often by supporting the liver.

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Makes you tired

MAKES-YOU-TIRED

Induces drowsiness and promotes sound sleep.

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Nervine

NERVINE

Herbs that specifically go to the nervous system and brain. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer?s, even chronic pain.

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Sedative

SEDATIVE

Sedative herbs create a sense of calm in the mind and body by specifically calming or quieting the nervous system. Excellent for anxiety, stress and chronic pain.

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Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Relieves or reduces feelings of pain without eliminating sensation.

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Muscle-Health:

Muscle relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

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Bowel-Poop-Elimination:

Constipative

CONSTIPATIVE

An herb that binds stools / stops diarrhea. When used in excess, these herbs and foods can cause constipation.

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Strengthening-Tonics:

Muscle Tonic

MUSCLE-TONIC

Herbs that strengthen and tone muscle tissue. Helpful for people recovering from long term illness and debility, or after a sprain.

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Other:

Grounding