This moon tea is a delicious anti-inflammatory herbal tea to support the body before and during the menstrual cycle. This herbal tea blend is easy to make, and it’s also possible to make a bigger batch.
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This moon tea has become a ritual for that time of the month for me. It’s a relaxing herbal blend with nourishing herbs and is caffeine-free, too, so you can drink it any time of the day. I sip on this herbal blend regularly throughout the month, but it’s especially good as a hormone-supportive moon tea before the menstrual cycle. Most of the ingredients support hormonal health.
WHAT IS MOON TEA?
Moon tea is a name given to a herbal infusion supporting women’s well-being before or during their menstrual cycle. These herbal blends can help with discomfort and support a better mood too. Moon tea is a herbal blend with vitamins and minerals and a few key ingredients, although a few herbs may be added or replaced depending on your personal preference.
This moon tea contains hibiscus, ginger, nettle leaf, red raspberry leaf, yarrow, cinnamon, and oat straw.
Some moon tea recipes call for more ingredients, such as ginkgo, lemon balm, dandelion, silverweed, and Lady’s mantle. I like to add dandelion sometimes, as this can help regulate hormones by supporting the liver and helping the body get rid of excess estrogen. It is not a typical moon tea ingredient as it will not help with cramping, for example, but it does help to support the liver, which plays a part in hormonal health.
MOON TEA BENEFITS
While it may sound a bit like a recipe from the ‘’Sanderson Sisters’’ from Hocus Pocus, it’s not. You don’t need magical herbs, and you also don’t need a full moon, either.
Although tea is quite common, the nourishing effect of herbs is not so well known. Herbal teas are mineral-rich and contain vitamins that support our bodies when consumed regularly.
For centuries (or actually millennia), people have been using medicinal herbs and herbal remedies for health. Herbal teas date back to ancient Egypt and China and have been used for centuries for their benefits and taste. Women have been using herbs to alleviate menstrual cramps, induce birth, support fertility, and cycle health.
While you might often read the words medicinal, I think it’s important to point out that teas do not cure or heal any medical ailments. They can support our bodies. If you have health issues, please consult a physician (see disclaimer below).
MOON TEA INGREDIENTS
Moon tea can be found with various ingredients, ranging from a few to an entire list. This moon tea recipe requires 6 key ingredients, which you should be able to find easily. These herbs contain everything for a good moon tea.
For this tea, it’s best to use loose-leaf tea. This will allow you to make your blend very easily. But if you have a specific tea only bagged, feel free to use tea in a bag. You can open the tea bag and use the tea in your blend.
The beauty of making your herbal blends is that you can decide how your tea will taste. You can also create different tea blends for other purposes, such as a beauty tea, a tea to alleviate bloating, or a moon tea to support your body before or during your cycles.
For this basic moon tea, you will need the following ingredients:
- Hibiscus
- Ginger
- Nettle leaf
- Red raspberry leaf
- Yarrow
- Oat straw
- Cinnamon (optional)
You can use a few more herbs if you want to change the flavor profile or enjoy a more potent moon tea. As an example, lemon balm and ginkgo will give this moon tea a kick.
Dried hibiscus flowers
The vitamins and minerals help as menstrual support. It is known for balancing hormones and regulating the menstrual flow. It is especially good for painful cramps. Hibiscus also contains flavonoids that can help lighten your mood.
Red raspberry leaf
Raspberry leaves are vitamin- and mineral-rich. The iron and magnesium in red raspberry leaves are great to help during the menstrual cycle. Herbalists use red raspberry leaf tea as a uterine tonic to help reduce menstrual cramps, balance hormones and lessen heavy bleeding.
Yarrow
The flowers and leaves of yarrow can reduce painful period cramps because of its relaxing and antispasmodic properties. Yarrow is especially soothing for painful period cramps.
Oat straw
Oat straw contains diuretics, anti-inflammatory properties, and magnesium to help relax muscles and reduce inflammation.
Nettle
Nettles are rich in iron, and specific properties in nettles can help to reduce excessive menstrual flow. It’s a little powerhouse for overall hormonal health and fertility with nutrients like zinc, iron, and manganese.
Ginger
Ginger can help ease menstrual cramps and reduce the duration of the pain. It’s anti-inflammatory and gives this blend a warming flavor.
Cinnamon
To flavor and warm and soften the body add cinnamon to your blend.
These herbs are used to support the body before and during a menstrual cycle. But they also improve our overall well-being, so sip on a moon tea whenever you feel like it.
HOW TO MAKE MOON TEA?
Making herbal tea is slightly different than brewing a regular cup of tea. In case you are interested, I wrote about this already in this article.
Moon tea is a herbal infusion requiring more than just a few minutes of steeping. In fact, the longer the tea can brew, the more intense the flavor and nutrient concentration will be.
For the fresh ginger, I recommend chopping the ginger in smaller chunks so the ginger can more easily release its beneficial ingredients. I also recommend breaking the cinnamon stick to release its flavor better.
Next, add all the herbs to a large sieve and place them in a large teapot. Cover the teapot with hot water and let it steep.
The brewing time should be at least 30 minutes, but the longer, the better. If you can, try to aim for 5 hours. To warm the tea, add a bit of hot water to your cup of tea.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does this tea taste like?
The flavor of this tea depends on how long it is brewed. The longer the tea leaves can steep, the stronger the tea will be. In general, the bitter flavor of hibiscus will tend to overrule the taste. You can use less hibiscus or steep the tea shorter to prevent a bitter flavor. A little sweetener, such as maple syrup, can also help reduce any bitterness.
If you brew this tea according to the recipe below, the taste is a bit earthy, warming, and mild, with a hint of fruit and a warming ginger flavor.
Can I also drink this tea cold or iced?
This tea can be served both hot and cold. I recommend making a bigger batch and placing it in the fridge for the cold version. Serve it with ice or cold from the refrigerator.
However, moon tea to support hormonal health is generally served warm.
For what kind of PMS-related issues do women drink moon tea?
For anything related to your menstrual cycle, moon tea can be a supportive herbal drink. Examples are headaches, bloating, mood swings, mild cramping, and fatigue. This herbal tea will support and warm your body.
How long can I keep it in the fridge for later?
Consider an herbal brew like freshly pressed juice. The longer you keep it in the fridge, the fewer nutrients it will have. It can help to fill a glass jar to the rim and close it tightly so fewer nutrients can evaporate. Try to keep an herbal brew no longer than 2-3 days in the fridge to enjoy its full potency.
Alternatively, you can pour the tea into an ice cube tray and freeze it for a few months.
Does moon tea work?
Generally speaking, if you suffer from common menstrual issues such as headaches, mild cramping, and PMS, hydration with the ingredients (vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory properties) can help soothe these symptoms.
When should you drink moon tea?
Moon tea can be enjoyed throughout your entire cycle. It supports the body, regardless of the cycle, providing extra health-supporting ingredients. But if you want to target symptoms specific to your menstrual cycle, it’s best to drink moon tea a few days to a week before the menstruation.
Can I share my moon tea with the male members of my family?
This is a health-supporting blend that will also provide those without a cycle with vitamins and minerals.
Where to buy these herbs?
Fresh ginger should be easy to find in any supermarket, but medical herbs can be harder to find. I’m in Europe and buy my herbs at iHerb, a local pharmacy/chemist or tea specialty store. Most pharmacies in Europe sell medicinal herbs. I recommend brands like Traditional Medicinals, Frontier Co-Op, or teas sold in pharmacies.
FINAL HERBAL INFUSIONS TIPS
This herbal moon tea is easy to make, but here are a few tips.
Since this is not a regular cup of tea but an herbal infusion, keep the following two things in mind: time and quantity. You will have to steep the tea longer and use more herbs for an herbal infusion.
There are two ways to make this tea in advance. You can make a serving for three days or combine the dry herbs in a jar so that you only need to steep the mixed dry herbs with water, ginger and cinnamon. A batch with dry leaves can be stored in a dry place for up to two years. This recipe is a good guideline to have in mind as a ratio.
For the ginger to release its beneficial components, it helps to slice it into smaller pieces.
Time is essential to make this a successful moon tea. I recommend steeping it for at least 30 minutes, but the longer, the better. Try to aim for 5 hours.
To warm cold moon tea, add a bit of hot water to your cup with the tea.
Reduce the more robust herbs in your blend, such as hibiscus, for a lighter flavor. Also, the shorter you steep the infusion, the less intense the flavor will be.
Keep a bigger batch of this tea in the fridge, covered for 2-3 days in a glass jar, and serve it hold or cold.
If you can, use a wide teapot or a French press big enough for the leaves to float around and fully have the ability to develop all flavors and beneficial components.
VARIATIONS
There are a lot of different moon recipes, so see this recipe as a guide. There are a few variations and options possible.
To make this recipe ultra-simple, skip the ginger and cinnamon. Another way to make a simple batch is only to use red raspberry leaf, nettle, oat straw, and hibiscus.
To make the flavor milder, you can reduce the amount of hibiscus and omit the ginger. If you are relatively new to herbal infusions, feel free to add a sweetener such as maple syrup.
If you want to make this recipe even more interesting, you may add the following herbs: ginkgo, dandelion, lemon balm, silverweed, and Lady’s mantle.
Are you craving more tea?
You will love this Thai tea recipe too! And this article with my favorite herbal teas might be worth checking out too.
If you are going to make this moon tea, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @thegreencreator or by leaving a comment below.
Moon Tea (Herbal Hormonal Wellness Tea)
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: drink, tea
Description
This moon tea is a herbal cycle wellness tea to support the body before and during the menstrual cycle. This herbal tea blend is easy to make, and it’s also possible to make a bigger batch.
Ingredients
- 15 grams (about 2 tablespoons) dried red raspberry leaf
- 7 grams (about 1 tablespoon) dried yarrow
- 7 grams (about 1 tablespoon) dried hibiscus flowers
- 7 grams (about 1 tablespoon) dried oat straw
- 7 grams (about 1 tablespoon) dried nettle
- 1 (1-inch) knob ginger (coarsely chopped)
- a small cinnamon stick (optional)
- 2 cups (475 ml) water
Instructions
Cut the ginger into smaller pieces and place together with the cinnamon stick in a heat-resistant jar where you will brew your tea.
Add the red raspberry leaf, yarrow, hibiscus, oat straw, and nettle to the pot.
Boil the water to 210 ℉/100 °C and pour it over the ginger, cinnamon stick and dried leaves.
Let it steep for at least 30 minutes; ideally overnight or 5 hours.
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to discard the herbs, ginger, and cinnamon. As shown in this article, you can also use a French press to push and brew the herbs, ginger, and cinnamon to the bottom. I use a floating teapot with a built-in sieve.
Serve hot or cold. Add a sweetener if you wish, such as maple syrup.
Or store in the fridge for 2-3 days in a glass jar with a lid.
Notes
This tea can be served hot or cold.
A bigger batch from the fridge can be warmed up by adding hot water.
I recommend using a teapot where the leaves can float around freely and brew. This is the floating teapot I use with a wide sieve.
sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3518208/
https://theherbalacademy.com/painful-period-cramps/
The Gift of Healing Herbs: Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life
Herbal Rituals
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I have severe cramping and I swear by hormonal teas! This was a great recipe! I only left out one ingredient. Still good.