Back-to-school season is in full swing, which can mean a lot of different things to different households. Homes with very little ones experience a new phase of sending their children off for the first time. While this can come with excitement and pride, it can also come with feelings of grief. For parents whose children have gone to school for a few years, this time of year comes with an increased pace for ALL things. Facilitating the countless (often unseen) tasks that make a household run add up to filled days, and sometimes frazzled nerves. Getting the kiddos up, fed, clothed, and out the door on time; managing complicated travel logistics with sports, extracurriculars, and homework; feeding and facilitating bedtime; and the rest of the laundry list that ramps up this time of year.
All of that is to say it can be a rollercoaster of a season, and it’s a time when herbs can be incredibly supportive. Through all of the milestones and tasks, the herbs that many find helpful this time of year are those that provide calming emotional support, energy and clarity, and grief support. This applies not just to the first weeks of school, but throughout the whole school year.
3 Herbal Remedies for Busy Parents
Whether you’re a tea drinker or like to work with herbal allies in supplement form, these recipes can be tailored to your preferences. Each is displayed in parts so they are easy to scale up or down, and can be made into teas, tinctures, electuaries, capsules, or however you're most likely to enjoy them.
Busy Parent Formula for Increased Energy & Focus
This blend is pure uplifting pleasure in a cup. Not only does it help to energize through its natural caffeine and theobromine content, but it's also a mood support. While I prefer this blend best as a tea, you can make different preparations with this formulation, including tinctures and glycerites.
Uplifting Yaupon Cacao Blend
Ingredients
- 2 parts organic medium roast yaupon
- 1 part organic roasted cacao powder
- 1/4 part organic vanilla bean powder or vanilla extract (Optional, to taste)
Busy Parent Formula to Soothe the Nervous System
This pleasurable herb blend combines the soothing properties of lemon balm and holy basil and pairs them with the settling nature of spearmint and the pleasure-inducing properties of saffron. The result is a gorgeous herbal preparation that is both functional and flavorful. I enjoy this one as a tea, but it can also be made into a tincture, capsule, glycerite, mocktail, and more!
Inner Balance Blend
Ingredients
- 1/4 part organic saffron
- 1 part organic lemon balm
- 1 part organic holy basil
- 1 part organic spearmint
Parent Formula for Heartache & Grief
This supporting blend combines herbs known to promote a sense of self-love and compassion. Each botanical is profoundly gentle, yet fully supportive. In the words of herbalist jim mcdonald, "Gentle doesn't mean weak," which is exactly how I feel about this blend.
This can be made into a tea, tincture, capsule, glycerite, mocktail, and more!
Emotional Heart Bandage Blend
Ingredients
- 1/4 part organic saffron
- 1 part organic rose
- 1 part organic holy basil
- 1/4 part organic vanilla bean powder or vanilla extract (Optional, to taste)
I hope that these formulations can help you find your inner balance
and show your body some much-deserved love!
Looking to Learn More About Herbs?
Herbal Elixir for Stress Support
You may also enjoy:
- 3 Tea Recipes to Increase Mindfulness and Stress Less
- Understanding Nervines and Adaptogens
- Herbs to Ease Heartaches and Beat the Blues
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. For educational purposes only.
