5 Calming Herbs That Actually Help Me Sleep
If you’ve ever struggled to fall asleep—or stay asleep—you know how exhausting the cycle can be. I’ve been there: tossing, turning, trying all the usual tricks with no luck. But what truly shifted things for me? Turning to calming herbs that support the nervous system and help the body relax naturally.
These five herbs have become essential to my bedtime routine, and all five of them are featured in our own handcrafted Drift Tea, a soothing blend I created at Bloom Wildcraft as a wonderful sleep aid.
1. Valerian Root
Valerian is a powerhouse when it comes to natural sleep support. It works by increasing GABA in the brain, which helps calm the nervous system. I noticed a difference within a few nights of using it—less tossing and turning, and deeper, uninterrupted rest. It has an earthy taste, which we’ve balanced out in our tea blend with floral and citrus notes.
2. Catnip
Most people associate catnip with hyper cats, but for humans, it’s surprisingly calming. Traditionally used for restlessness and nervous tension, catnip has a gentle sedative effect that helped me quiet my mind at night. It’s one of those herbs that works subtly—but effectively.
3. Lemon Balm
This lemony, mint-like herb is one of my personal favorites. Lemon balm is known for reducing anxiety and promoting calm. On stressful nights, it helps take the edge off, making it easier to slip into sleep. It also tastes amazing, which is a nice bonus when you’re drinking it in a warm cup of tea.
4. Hibiscus
Hibiscus might not be the first herb you think of for sleep, but it plays a powerful supporting role. Rich in antioxidants, it helps ease the body into a state of relaxation while adding a naturally tart, fruity flavor to tea. I include it in Drift Tea because it rounds out the blend beautifully—visually and energetically.
5. Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Holy basil, also known as Tulsi, is an adaptogen—meaning it helps the body adapt to stress. If you have a hard time sleeping because your mind won’t shut off, or you’ve been carrying stress all day, Tulsi can be a game-changer. It helped me feel more balanced, and over time, I noticed I was falling asleep faster and waking up more refreshed. Its slightly spicy, clove-like flavor is grounding and soothing.
Why I Created Drift Tea
After trying countless herbal combinations, I blended valerian, catnip, lemon balm, and hibiscus, and tulsi into a formula that worked wonders for me. That became Drift Tea—a calming, caffeine-free tea that supports deep rest and tastes delicious too. It’s part of my nightly ritual, and it’s helped so many others doze off more peacefully.
If you’re looking for a natural way to wind down at night, these herbs are a great place to start—and Drift Tea is a beautiful, ready-to-sip blend that brings them together. Try this blend alongside our other herbal tea blends in our website shop!