Brewing Herbal Tea: How to Prepare and Brew Valerian Root Tea

Valerian Root is the pungent smelling root of the valerian plant (Latin names: Valeriana officinalis, Valeriana wallichii). The root has been used since ancient times to promote restful sleep, and has exploded in popularity in recent times for this effect. With the wide variety of exotic tea blends on supermarket shelves today, let's get back to basics on how to easily brew a cup of valerian root tea.

What you'll need:

• kettle (stainless steel or ceramic): what you'll boil your water in
• tea pot or mug with a lid: what you'll brew your tea in, which is not your kettle
• 1 tsp of dried valerian root (about 2 grams)
• infusion device (like a tea ball, heat seal tea bag, piece of cheesecloth and string, or brew loose and use a strainer after brewing)
• 8oz of filtered water and hot water from the tap

Steps for Brewing Valerian Root Tea:

1. Fill the tea pot or mug you'll be brewing (steeping) in with hot tap water to warm the container.
2. Fill your infusion device with the valerian root. If brewing without a device (called "loose-leaf"), wait until step 4 to add your valerian root.
3. Heat 6-8oz of filtered water in your kettle on your stove to third boil (when the water produces big, rapidly breaking bubbles). Remove from heat.
4. Empty your tea pot or mug of the tap water and add the valerian root to this container. Pour water from the kettle over the valerian root, and cover. This helps to fully release the medicinal components of the root into your cup of brew.
5. Steep (let sit) for about 5 minutes. In the future you can adjust the amount of valerian root you use and steep time to produce the effect you desire.
6. Uncover and remove your infusion device from your tea pot or mug. If you brewed loose-leaf, pour the steeped brew through a strainer into a 2nd mug.

Your valerian root tea is ready to enjoy. You may add milk, honey, or sweetener to taste though doing so may alter the medicinal benefits of your valerian root tea. I prefer this tea with nothing added.

**Find a pleasant tasting, organic, fair-trade certified Valerian Root blend from Lee's Teas in individually-bagged, ready-to-steep servings at http://deepappreciation.com/knockouttea.html**