Stop me if you have heard this one before. You wake up enervated after not getting good or enough sleep the night before. Even though you rise to greet whatever the day brings, a part of you can’t help but look forward to the moment when your head will hit the pillow at the end of it. The day passes, and at last the moment arrives, you are snuggled into your blankets, the lights are turned off, and all that remains is to close your eyes and await a visit from the Sandman. But suddenly you don’t feel so tired; in fact, your brain is lighting up with thoughts. Maybe you are rehashing the day’s events, remembering that task you forgot to do, agonizing over what you could have done differently, or planning for the week ahead. It is like a nonstop parade of should-haves and could-haves trumpeting through your head at the worst possible time and creating a vicious cycle of unrest.
The unfortunate truth is that even when our bodies are worn out and ready for rest, the daily stressors of life can creep in, take hold of our nervous systems, and cause quite the opposite. This typically happens during quiet moments when there are minimal distractions, such as when we are lying down for the night. To manage this and prevent that cycle from taking hold, I have found that it helps to create a ritual of sorts to help wind down before it comes time to turn in for the day. Thus, enter moon milk.
Moon milk has been used for thousands of years to promote rest and relaxation. It is a warm, creamy beverage typically made with nervous system-supporting herbs and lightly sweetened. Think the old “a warm cup of milk before bed” adage, but herbal. Part of the magic of moon milk is how versatile it is. What are your favorite herbs for relaxation? Chances are, you can find a way to incorporate them! When I saw that we were formulating a new caffeine- free Kava Chai tea blend, I knew that I had to try it as a moon milk.
In addition to the warming chai spices that I love, this blend also has kava kava root and skullcap which always seem to soothe my jangled nerves and invoke a sense of calm. I typically enjoy my moon milk a couple of hours before I plan on going to bed. I also like to use this time to “unplug” for the day. For me, that means that my devices are off or stashed away, bright lights are turned down, and music is switched over to something relaxing. While sipping, I find it helpful to focus on breathing and being present in my body. Sometimes I will do some journaling, which can aid in processing or unloading any stray thoughts or feelings so that they are less likely to pop up later.
I hope this recipe delights your taste buds and wraps your nervous system up in a comfy soothing blanket!
Caffeine-Free Kava Chai Moon Milk Recipe for Sleep
Makes about 8oz.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups organic milk of choice (I like oat!)
- 1 Tbsp.organic kava chai tea
- 1 tsp. organic vanilla flavor extract
- Raw, organic honey (or sweetener of choice), to taste
- Pinch organic cassia cinnamon powder (optional)
Directions
- Pour milk into small saucepan and add tea.
- Set burner to medium-low, and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring often.
- Remove from heat and whisk in honey and vanilla flavor extract.
- Continuing whisking until frothy.
- Strain into mug, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- You can adjust flavor or consistency by adding a touch of warm water to your moon milk after straining and tasting.
Looking for more moon milk recipes?
Try These 3 Moon Milk Recipes for Restful Sleep
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