Lavender Vanilla Moon Milk
a natural sleep aid recipe for milk tea
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(Discloser: I received free product from Nature’s Flavors; However, all opinions and thoughts are my own. I may earn a small commission on any links that a purchase is made. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Inspiration Apron running!)
What is moon milk?
Do you ever have trouble winding down at night for a peaceful sleep? You're not alone! Nearly one-third of adults report regularly having difficulty falling and staying asleep. But have no fear, because with this natural sleep aid recipe for lavender vanilla moon milk, you can rest easy knowing that this dairy-free concoction is the perfect solution to get you sleeping soundly. The origin of moon milk started centuries ago in Ayurveda, an India system of natural medicine. Basically, moon milk is a beverage meant to be consumed in the evening intended to promote optimal sleep and relieve insomnia. To delve a little more in-depth about this ancient Ayurvedic medicine and it’s origins, learn more by clicking HERE and keep scrolling down further for more of the in-depth science behind why it works.
How does moon milk help with sleep?
Whether you suffer from chronic insomnia or just struggle with the occasional sleepless night, this magical recipe is just what you need to restore the balance of your sleep cycle. My husband knows well that I have my nighttime tea on a regular basis. I love my tea routine, it’s a very soothing and cozy sip for me about an hour before bedtime. There is a science behind why this natural sleep aid for moon milk works, let’s take a look at the main ingredients used in my recipe and break down the benefits:
Almond milk. Almond milk is high in magnesium which has been shown to reduce anxiety and has a naturally calming effect. Almond milk also contains contain tryptophan, which is an amino acid that may increase levels f melatonin and serotonin, which can in turn aiding with sleep. I used an sweetened vanilla almond milk for this recipe.
Seelect Tea vanilla melatonin tea. This delicious tea is made with ingredients such as chamomile, alfalfa, oatstraw, papaya and natural flavors (vanilla) with a little melatonin added (0.5 milligrams per serving) Melatonin is naturally produced by our body and responds to darkness and our natural circadian rhythms (our built-in time clock.)(ref) The natural therapeutic effects of the herbs found in this tea along with the touch of melatonin will help to promote calmness, serenity and a sense of relaxation. This tea is the perfect match for enhancing the moon milk with it’s hint of vanilla flavor it blends wonderfully with the almond milk. To find this amazing tea, click HERE.
1/8 tsp Nature’s Flavors Organic Lavender Flavor Extract. Lavender is native to the Mediterranean however, it has become wildly popular all over the world for good reason. Not only does it have a pleasant aroma, it is believed to have benefits such as a calming effect and antibacterial effects. It is commonly used to help reduce stress and anxiety, depression, insomnia and more! In it’s extract form, it is a little more potent, so use sparingly, a little goes a long way when using in recipes.
Raw honey. Hang on, because this is where it gets wild! One would think that consuming a sweet sugary ingredient close to bedtime would drive up your energy, but listen to how Dr. Ron Fessenden explains the science behind consuming raw honey before bedtime: Honey actually helps your brain release melatonin through a series of transformations in your brain: the sugar in honey spikes your insulin levels, releasing tryptophan, which becomes serotonin, which becomes melatonin.(ref) That’s pretty interesting, right?!