Kitchen Tisanas: Herbal Brews for Real-World Burnout

There’s a kind of tired that sleep doesn’t touch. It’s the kind that lives in the nervous system — the kind that comes from carrying too much for too long. In the tradition of kitchen alchemy, we don’t reach for quick fixes. We brew.

Tisanas — gentle herbal infusions — are medicine in a mug. Not flashy. Not packaged. Just leaves, water, time, and intention. A way to tend to yourself without fanfare.

What Makes a Tisana?

Unlike tea, which often refers to caffeinated leaves from Camellia sinensis, a tisana (also called herbal tea) is made from other plants: roots, flowers, seeds, bark, and leaves. These are simmered or steeped in hot water to extract their gentle medicine.

The beauty of tisanas is their simplicity. You don’t need a kit or a brand name. You need a pot, a strainer, and a willingness to slow down.

When to Brew

• When your stomach feels knotted from anxiety.

• When your period sneaks up with cramps and mood swings.

• When your chest feels tight from overthinking.

• When sleep won’t come, even though you’re exhausted.

You don’t need a diagnosis to deserve care. You just need permission.

Recipes for Real-Life Tiredness

1. Calm & Clarity
For burnout, scattered thoughts, and decision fatigue.
Lemon balm, tulsi (holy basil), oatstraw, orange peel

2. Cycle Support
For menstrual tension and hormonal balance.
Raspberry leaf, nettle, cinnamon, dried rose petals

3. Digestive Ease
For stress-related bloating, sluggish digestion, or post-meal heaviness.
Fennel seed, peppermint, chamomile, a sliver of ginger

To Prepare:
Steep 1 tablespoon of dried herbs (or 2 tablespoons fresh) in 8–12 oz of hot water. Cover while steeping. Let sit 10–15 minutes. Strain. Drink slowly.

Ritual, But Not Rigid

Some days you'll steep it in silence, hands wrapped around the mug like an anchor. Other days, it'll sit forgotten until it’s cold, and that’s okay. The point isn’t perfection. It’s remembering you have the tools to soften life’s edges.

Closing Thoughts

In a culture of rush and reaction, a tisana is a rebellion. It’s a small act of care that says: I’m not a machine. I am a body. I am a spirit. I need warmth, not productivity.

In your kitchen, medicine doesn’t have to be measured or mystical. Sometimes, it’s just water and leaves, and the willingness to listen to what your body needs.