Oak & Iron Apothecary™: Herbal Tea Formulation
Sleep Support Tea
Comfort for winding down, quieting the mind, and preparing for rest
Oak & Iron Apothecary™: Herbal Tea Formulation
Comfort for winding down, quieting the mind, and preparing for rest
This herbal tea is designed for adults who occasionally experience:
Difficulty winding down at night
A busy or overactive mind before bed
Light sleep or trouble settling into rest
Evening tension or restlessness
This product is intended for comfort and routine use, not medical treatment of sleep disorders.
1. Mental quieting and nervous system settling
Lemon balm is the primary driver of the formula, helping calm mental activity and support a more settled, quiet state before sleep.
2. Whole-body relaxation
Chamomile and lavender work together to reduce physical tension and promote a relaxed, ready-for-rest state without being overly heavy or sedating.
3. Stress-response support
Ashwagandha helps support a more balanced stress response, which can be a contributing factor in difficulty falling or staying asleep.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Primary herb in this formula. Traditionally used to calm the mind and support restful sleep.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Helps soften muscle tension and reduce sensory overload.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Supports relaxation and helps ease the transition into sleep.
Rosehips (Rosa canina)
Adds mild tartness and supports the inflammation-focused side of the formula.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Supports stress adaptation and nervous system steadiness..
Sleep formulas often fail in one of two ways:
Too weak to noticeably help
Too sedating to feel functional or tolerable
This blend is designed to sit between those extremes. We intentionally avoided overly sedating or heavy herbs and instead focused on:
Mental quieting
Nervous system regulation
Gentle transition into rest
Use 1 level tablespoon (approximately 3–4 g) per 8-10 oz hot water
Steep 12–15 minutes (covered)
Strain and drink
May also be used earlier in the evening if needed to help begin winding down.
This formula is based on a combination of human clinical data, mechanistic research, and traditional-use monographs. Rather than relying on a single “sleep study,” this blend is constructed around known contributors to poor sleep, including mental overactivity, stress-response patterns, and difficulty transitioning into a relaxed state.
Key evidence supporting individual components includes:
• Cases et al., 2011 – Lemon balm and stress/sleep (PMID 21981996)
• Srivastava et al., 2010 – Chamomile and sleep/anxiety (PMID 21132119)
• Kasper et al., 2010 – Lavender and anxiety (PMID 20512042)
• Lopresti et al., 2019 – Ashwagandha and stress (PMID 31424530)