Calming Tea for those frayed nerves

Feel relaxed with this tea, a few hours before bed time. It helps you sleep better when the nerves are relaxed and Vata is under control. Ingredients:

• A few blades of lemon grass leaves
• A tiny bunch of chamomile leaves
• ¼ tsp ashwagandha powder
• 2 cups water
• A few drops of honey

Method:

1. Heat water in a pan.
2. Add lemon grass leaves boil till it is reduced to 1 cup.
3. Simmer the mixture while adding chamomile leaves.
4. Add Ashwagandha Powder
5. Strain into a cup or glass, add honey and serve.

Sleep inducing shake before bed time

This shake or as it is called 'Gasgase Paayasa' in Karnataka, India, is a traditional sleep aid. It has been used as a relaxant especially following the homely Abhyanga ritual as a stress buster and sleep aid. Ingredients

• 2 table spoons poppy seeds
• 1 tea spoon Jaggery
• 1 pinch Cardamom (powdered)
• 4 teaspoons grated Coconut
• 2 cups of Milk

Preparation

• Heat the poppy seeds in a pan until they splutter but ensure they do not get overheated
• Allow the poppy seeds to cool. Grind the poppy seeds with jaggery and coconut
• Boil milk and bring it to simmer.
• Now add the ground mixture gradually and slowly and allow the shake to simmer and gently boil on simmer
• Keep stirring to ensure the mix does not bottom on the pan.
• Drink this shake when it is yet warm.