Reclaiming rest with a chamomile latte
Here is a recipe I’ve been coming back to often during the last few months. It combines some of my favorite things - flowers in a cup and a warm, frothy beverage.
It has been especially supportive for me in dealing with painful period cramps, as chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) has sedative and antispasmodic actions, among others, as well as being a nervine herb and thus soothing to the nervous system - making it quite a good ally for people with small doses of painful periods.
Of course, one could just sip on chamomile infusion during the day. But one could also turn their chamomile infusion into a little bit of a ritual, something that takes some time to prepare and is sprinkled with beauty, to be sipped on slowly - a true reclamation of rest as a birthright.
Ingredients (makes two cups) :
2 cups of milk or milk substitute of choice (I use oat milk)
4-6 teaspoons of dried chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
powdered rose petals for decoration (optional) - you could use another edible flower of choice.
Directions:
Bring the milk or milk substitute to a gentle boil and stir in the chamomile. Turn off the heat and let it steep for 15-20 minutes, covered.
Strain the chamomile milk into a french press and pump it up until it’s deliciously frothy.
Pour yourself a cup and decorate with powdered rose petals.
I’ve been using these powdered rose petals in almost everything! We saved and dried these petals from the garden last summer, for the very first time. After grinding them, they make such a colorful addition to dishes, baked goods and drinks. I’m thinking of making the same with other flowers this summer, to have a whole array of rainbow sprinkles 🌈
Happy February ahead, friends. May you have many moments of rest and warmth.
PS. I’ve got that pump it up song stuck in my head now 🥲