Herbs I Reach for When I’m Stressed, Tired, or Over It
(Plus how I actually remember to use them)
By Friday, I’m usually in some level of meltdown—somewhere between “I just need a nap” and “maybe I’ll throw my phone into the woods.” This is also about the time my husband says, very gently, “Do you need to do some of your witchy herbs?”
Yes. Yes, I do.
Because while I don’t have a perfectly labeled apothecary and there are definitely mystery bags in my cabinet I can’t identify anymore, there are a few herbal remedies that actually help me feel human again. Not cured. Not magically transformed. Just… calmer. Less crunchy. More like myself.
And they don’t cost a fortune or require a moon ritual. Just a mug, a moment, and maybe a little nudge from my husband when I forget to take care of myself.
These Are My Real-Life Go-To Herbs
(No rare roots. Just things you can find at a grocery store or online without joining a coven.)
Chamomile
Basic, but dependable. Perfect for winding down, calming the nerves, or softening the edge on a long day. I love mixing it with lemon balm or lavender for sleepy tea that my daughter will literally request on her own. Parenting win.
Lemon Balm
Bright, happy, slightly citrusy—lemon balm is my favorite when I feel overwhelmed but still need to function. I steep it solo or mix it with green tea when I want to stay calm but not completely zone out.
Lavender
Yes, it’s everywhere, and no, I’m not over it. I use it in tea, sometimes just a pinch added to chamomile or lemon balm. I also toss a few drops of essential oil into the shower when I need a reset but don’t have time to steep anything.
Peppermint
Stomach in knots? Peppermint. Mentally foggy and tired? Peppermint. Honestly, this one’s a staple. I brew it hot, pour it over ice, or mix it with other herbs when I need that cooling, grounding feeling.
Passionflower (Tincture)
For the nights when I can’t shut my brain off and I’ve mentally rewritten my to-do list six times in bed. A dropper of passionflower in warm tea is the closest thing to a natural off-switch I’ve found. I don’t use it every night, but it’s magic when I need it.
Ashwagandha (In Food or Drinks)
I like this one stirred into warm milk with cinnamon and honey at night. It’s more of a long-game herb—it doesn’t fix a stressful day instantly, but it builds resilience if I use it consistently. When I don’t forget. Which happens. A lot.
How I Actually Remember to Use Them
Let’s be honest: I’ve bought plenty of herbs that ended up as mystery bags in the back of the cabinet. No labels, no memory of what they were, no chance I’m drinking them now.
What changed? I got a little system going—not perfect, but enough to make it part of my routine instead of something I only remember when I’m on the edge.
I use an open shelf above the stove for herbs I reach for often. They’re visible, easy to grab, and remind me they exist.
I keep some near my coffee drawer, because I’m going to open that drawer every single day, no matter what.
I batch simple tea blends in jars so I don’t have to think too hard when I need them. Just scoop, steep, done.
I use my favorite mug. Because it matters. I don’t know why, it just does.
The Best Part? It’s Becoming Contagious
I’ve talked about these herbs so much that my husband now suggests them to me. Like, “You seem a little off. Did you have your tea today?” Which is slightly rude but also sweet, because he’s right.
And my daughter? She makes her own sleepy teas now. She’ll ask, “Can I make the chamomile-lavender one?” and I just melt a little. If that’s not generational healing, I don’t know what is.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a full-blown wellness routine or an alphabetized herbal cabinet to take care of yourself. Just a few herbs, a moment of calm, and a way to make them visible enough that you actually remember to use them.
Start with one. Drink it in a mug you love. And if someone asks why you’re drinking leaves in hot water, just tell them you’re doing some witchy herbs. It works.