Cyclical nature
Herbs and infusions
For generations, we women have cared for our cycle with plants. Start with an infusion for each moment of your cycle and, whenever you like, get to know the herbs that keep you company, one by one.
Infusions for your cycle
Each phase of your cycle asks for something different. These blends come from herbal tradition and from what many of us have been discovering cup by cup. Start with the ones that call to you and keep trying: your body will tell you which ones are yours.
Plants are powerful too: if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, check with a health professional first. Raspberry leaf, yarrow, fennel and rosemary are not recommended during pregnancy.
Menstrual phase · Winter
Warmth, rest and relief for the days of your period.
Warm hug
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 2 cm fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- ½ cinnamon stick
- 1 strip of organic orange peel (no white pith)
- 300 ml water
Simmer the ginger and cinnamon gently, covered, for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the orange peel and leave for 5 more minutes. Strain.
It warms your belly: ginger is one of the most studied plants for period pain.
Calm belly
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp chamomile flowers
- ½ tsp fennel seeds, lightly crushed
- 1 tsp lemon balm leaves
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 7 minutes. Strain.
For cramps and a bloated belly. Fennel is a classic remedy for colic.
Root and iron
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp nettle leaves
- 1 tsp raspberry leaf
- 1 tsp chopped rosehip
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain.
It replenishes minerals while you bleed; rosehip brings vitamin C, which helps you absorb iron.
Nest
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp chamomile flowers
- ½ tsp lavender flowers
- 1 tsp honey
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 5 minutes (any longer and the lavender turns bitter). Strain and add the honey once it is warm.
For the night, with a hot water bottle and a blanket.
Gold
For 1 cup:
- 250 ml plant milk (oat or almond)
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger (or 1 cm fresh ginger, grated)
- 1 pinch of black pepper
- 1 tsp honey or syrup (optional)
Warm everything in a small pan over a low heat for 5 minutes, stirring, without letting it boil. Strain if you use fresh ginger.
A golden, comforting cup; the pepper helps you make the most of the turmeric.
Light head
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp mint leaves
- ½ tsp lavender flowers
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 5 minutes. Strain.
For when your period arrives with a headache: drink it slowly and breathe in its scent.
Caring flower
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp yarrow
- 1 tsp calendula flowers
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 7 minutes. Strain.
Two flowers that herbalists have always used to accompany the period.
Cinnamon and clove
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 300 ml water
Simmer the cinnamon and cloves gently, covered, for 8 minutes. Strain.
Simple, warm and tasting of home.
Pre-ovulatory phase · Spring
Fresh and green, for the energy that wakes up.
Awakening
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, 5 cm long (or ½ tsp dried)
- 1 tsp mint leaves
- The zest of ¼ lemon
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 5 minutes. Strain.
Fresh and aromatic, for when your energy starts coming back.
Green shoot
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp nettle leaves
- 1 tsp dandelion leaf
- ½ tsp mint leaves
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 7 minutes. Strain.
Green and cleansing, like spring shoots.
Sun flower
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp calendula flowers
- 1 tsp lemon balm leaves
- 2 thin slices of fresh ginger
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 7 minutes. Strain.
Bright, to start the day with enthusiasm.
Clear morning
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp jasmine green tea
Boil the water and let it cool for 2 or 3 minutes (about 80 °C). Pour it over the tea and steep for just 2 or 3 minutes, so it doesn't turn bitter. Strain.
If caffeine agrees with you, this is a good time for it.
Ovulatory phase · Summer
Floral and light, iced too.
Summer flower
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tbsp hibiscus flowers
- 1 tsp rose petals
- ½ cinnamon stick
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 7 minutes. Strain.
Iced: 2 tbsp hibiscus, 2 tbsp rose petals and 1 cinnamon stick in 500 ml cold water, overnight in the fridge. A beautiful red.
Garden water
For a jug (500 ml):
- 8 fresh spearmint leaves
- 5 fresh lemon balm leaves (or 1 tsp dried)
- 4 slices of cucumber
- 500 ml cold water
Bruise the leaves a little with your fingers, put everything in the jug and leave it in the fridge for 2 hours.
For hot days full of life.
Rose and lavender
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tbsp rose petals
- ¼ tsp lavender flowers
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 5 minutes. Strain.
Delicate and floral, for opening up to others.
Joy
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp calendula flowers
- 1 tsp chamomile flowers
- 1 strip of organic orange peel (no white pith)
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 7 minutes. Strain.
Golden like summer.
Premenstrual phase · Autumn
For slowing down, bloating, cravings and restless nights.
Slowing down
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp lemon balm leaves
- ½ tsp orange blossom
- ½ tsp lavender flowers
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 6 minutes. Strain.
For the more sensitive or irritable days. It helps you let go and listen to yourself.
Light
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- ½ tsp fennel seeds, lightly crushed
- 1 tsp dandelion leaf
- 1 tsp mint leaves
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 7 minutes. Strain.
For bloating and water retention.
Sweet craving
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp cacao husks
- 1 tsp rooibos
- ½ cinnamon stick
- A splash of plant milk (optional)
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 7 minutes. Strain and add the plant milk if you like.
It tastes of chocolate and has no caffeine. For when you crave something sweet.
Before the moon
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp raspberry leaf
- 1 tsp nettle leaves
- ½ tsp calendula flowers
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain. You can start drinking it a few days before your period.
The herbalists' classic blend for the end of the cycle.
Quiet night
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp chamomile flowers
- 1 tbsp oat straw
- ½ tsp lavender flowers
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 7 minutes. Strain.
For better sleep when your mind won't stop.
No coffee
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp roasted dandelion root
- ½ cinnamon stick
- 2 cardamom pods, split
- 300 ml water
- A splash of plant milk (optional)
Simmer everything gently, covered, for 10 minutes. Strain and add the plant milk if you like.
A coffee substitute with a roasted taste; drinking less coffee these days helps many of us feel calmer.
Balance
For 1 cup (250 ml):
- 1 tsp yarrow
- ½ tsp calendula flowers
- 1 tsp lemon balm leaves
Pour over just-boiled water, cover and steep for 7 minutes. Strain.
Herbalists' flowers to accompany the end of the cycle.
Autumn chai
For 1 cup:
- 200 ml water
- 100 ml plant milk
- 1 tsp rooibos
- ½ cinnamon stick
- 3 cardamom pods, split
- 1 cm fresh ginger, sliced
Simmer the spices in the water for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the rooibos and steep, covered, for 5 minutes. Add the plant milk, warm it without boiling and strain.
Warmth and spice for the autumn of your cycle.
Meet the herbs that keep you company
Ginger, chamomile, raspberry leaf, nettle… Discover what each one brings and when it can accompany you.
See the herbs