Gaia Herbs® Regenerative Organic Certified® Herbal Tinctures offer a quick, convenient way to reap the concentrated benefits of herbs with zero pill fatigue.
They’re also perfect for incorporating into simple, tasty wellness rituals.
Today, we’ll show you how with four new scrumptious tincture recipes featuring: Lemon Balm & Ginkgo for brain support, and Valerian & Poppy for sleep support.*
And if you missed our last tincture recipe article featuring Milky Oats & Skullcap, check it out here.
The Benefits of Gaia Herbs® Valerian & Poppy ROC™ Tincture
Our Valerian & Poppy tincture is crafted with herbs traditionally used to support healthy sleep and relaxation, and help calm restlessness and nervousness before bed.*
It’s a simple, yet potent two-ingredient tincture you can take daily to help you ease into sleep and rest deeply.*
Since it’s designed for sleep, we recommend taking 2 ½ droppers full within an hour before bed. This will give it enough time to work without making you drowsy too early.
For non-drowsy relaxation support, check out our Milky Oats & Skullcap tincture.
What Does Valerian & Poppy Taste Like?
The Valerian & Poppy tincture has an earthy, bitter flavor, which comes primarily from the Valerian root.
Some people like this flavor, but many don’t, which is why we created these recipes that either complement or help neutralize Valerian’s bitter flavor.
Poppy also tastes bitter, though that’s largely indetectable next to the Valerian.
So, why would we use an herb with such a strong flavor? Our goal was to create tinctures designed to be felt, and there’s really nothing better than Valerian for supporting sleep, calm, and relaxation before bed.*
Once you try it, we think you’ll agree, a little bitterness is worth it for a better night’s rest! Plus, these recipes are super enjoyable.
2 Soothing Valerian & Poppy Herbal Tincture Recipes for Sleep Support*
Tart Cherry Bittersweet Mocktail with Valerian & Poppy
If you’re used to relying on an alcoholic or sugary non-alcoholic nightcap to help lull you to sleep, this is the perfect healthy substitute.
The natural melatonin in tart cherry juice1 complements the Valerian & Poppy tincture’s sleep support benefits, plus has added benefits for exercise recovery.
The flavor is bright, tart, and sweet, with a hint of bitters, very chic.
Ingredients:
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2 oz tart cherry juice
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2 1/2 droppers Gaia Herbs® Valerian & Poppy ROC™ Tincture
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The juice of one-quarter of a lime
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3-5 drops of pure liquid stevia (omit if you prefer a sour-bitter flavor)
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Ice
How to Make it:
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Fill a highball glass with ice.
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Drop in Gaia Herbs® Valerian & Poppy ROC™ Tincture, pour in the tart cherry juice, squeeze in the lime juice, and finish with a few drops of stevia.
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Stir well, and drink up.
Not a stevia fan? A couple of tablespoons of simple syrup, monkfruit syrup, or honey syrup also tastes great.
Valerian & Poppy After-Dinner Herbal “Coffee”
In this recipe, the bitter, earthy flavor of Valerian is muted by the pleasant, slightly bitter earthy flavor of dandelion or chicory “coffee” with Chaga powder, sweetener, plant milk or half and half, and vanilla.
If you’re new to herbal coffee alternatives, they brew up a lot like instant coffee and taste similar, but are caffeine-free, making them the perfect nighttime brew. The addition of Chaga adds immune benefits2 plus more of that complex, coffee-like flavor.
Some popular herbal coffee blends include Dandy Blend, Perro, and Roma. Just be sure you’re buying a caffeine-
free product, as some brands mix real coffee with chicory.
Ingredients:
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1 1/2 teaspoons dandelion, chicory, or your favorite herbal coffee alternative
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We brew this strong to help mask the Valerian flavor
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1 teaspoon organic, sustainably-sourced Chaga mushroom powder
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2 1/2 droppers Gaia Herbs® Valerian & Poppy ROC™ Tincture
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1 teaspoon raw honey, coconut sugar, monkfruit, stevia, or your favorite natural sweetener
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Desired amount of your favorite plant-based creamer or dairy half-and-half to taste
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1/8-1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
How to Make It:
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Combine the herbal coffee substitute and Chaga powder, then prepare according to the label instructions (most brands just require hot water). Note: Chaga is not essential for a tasty brew, but it adds great flavor.
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Squirt in 2 ½ droppers full of Gaia Herbs® Valerian & Poppy ROC™ Tincture.
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Add vanilla.
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Sweeten and add creamer or cream as desired.
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Enjoy!
Optional additions include cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
The Benefits of Gaia Herbs® Lemon Balm & Ginkgo ROC™ Tincture
Our Lemon Balm & Ginkgo ROC™ tincture is crafted with herbs traditionally used to support a calm, focused state and healthy circulation.*
Lemon balm is a nootropic, a herb or substance known to support focus and various cognitive processes. It’s also been studied for its relaxant properties, and tastes great.3
Ginkgo has traditionally been used for circulatory support.*
Combined, they offer broad-spectrum brain support in a convenient, made-to-be-felt tincture.
What Does Lemon Balm & Ginkgo Taste Like?
This tincture has a deep yet pleasant lemony grassy flavor.
Many people enjoy taking it in plain water, but it also lends itself to a variety of sweet and savory drinks and recipes.
2 Lemon Balm & Ginkgo ROC™ Tincture Recipes for Brain & Focus Support*
Iced Green Tea Pick-Me-Up with Lemon Balm, Ginkgo & Lemon
Instead of reaching for that afternoon coffee or chocolate, try this healthy nootropic pick-me-up for calm alertness, clean energy, and mental clarity support.*
Ingredients:
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1 bag of your favorite green tea or 1 teaspoon loose green tea (Jasmine or gunpowder green tea is nice in this recipe)
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2 droppers Gaia Herbs® Lemon Balm & Ginkgo ROC™ Tincture
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Juice of half a lemon
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Optional natural sweetener, like honey or monkfruit, to taste
Another option is to combine premade lemonade with the green tea, Arnold-Palmer-style.
How to Make:
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Bring a kettle of water to a boil, then let it sit for 3-5 minutes to reach optimal brewing temperature (160-180 degrees Fahrenheit for green tea).
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Pour over green tea and let brew for 1-3 minutes.
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Strain the tea or remove the tea bag, and sweeten while it’s hot so the sweetener dissolves easily.
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Fill a mason jar with ice, and pour in the green tea. Note: Mason jars won’t break when hot water is added. Alternatively, use a mug or heat-proof measuring cup.
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Add 2 droppers of Gaia Herbs® Lemon Balm & Ginkgo ROC™ Tincture and the lemon juice, stirring to combine.
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Sip slowly and savor the flavors.
Pro tip: Pre-brew a big batch of green tea, sweeten, and cool for easy mixing throughout the week.
Mason Jar Salad with Minty Lemon Balm Ginkgo Dressing
This salad does double-duty as a fast workday lunch and nootropic tincture dose in one.
Basic Salad Ingredients:
Mason jar salads are typically packed in layers, then dressed just before eating. The following recipe offers suggestions, but the combinations are endless.
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Bottom layer: Hard veggies, like carrots, cucumbers, peppers, celery, and cabbage
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Next layer: Soft veggies like artichokes, tomatoes, olives, roasted peppers, corn, avocado (toss in lemon juice to preserve color)
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Next layer: Your choice of protein
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Top layer: Your choice of greens + any nuts, seeds, cheese, or extra toppings
How To Make:
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Layer your favorite ingredients in a quart-size jar and refrigerate until ready to eat.
Minty Lemon Balm & Ginkgo Vinaigrette
Makes about ¾ cup
Ingredients:
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1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
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Zest of 1 lemon
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1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
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A drizzle of honey or a pinch of sugar
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1-2 cloves garlic, minced
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1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil
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1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
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6 droppers of Gaia Herbs® Lemon Balm & Ginkgo ROC™ Tincture
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1/8-1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
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Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground sumac
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Freshly ground pepper, to taste
How to Make:
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Combine everything in a jar, put on the lid, and shake to combine.
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Pour desired amount over your salad just before eating, and shake to combine.
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Enjoy your herbalicious lunch.
Get Your Gaia Herbs® ROC™ Tinctures & Start Creating Your Tincture Ritual Today
Ready to test these out for yourself? Hop over to the Gaia Herbs® online store to get your Lemon Balm & Ginkgo and Valerian & Poppy ROC™ tinctures today.
What makes these tinctures stand out from the crowd?
For starters, they’re the only herbal tinctures made with 100% ROC™ herbs grown exclusively on Gaia Herbs®' Regenerative Organic Certified® Farm in Brevard, North Carolina.
This means you’re getting the very freshest herbs grown right here in the United States to the strict quality standards of Gaia Herbs® and the Regenerative Organic Alliances®. These herbs are tested for quality before and after processing, and made in the traditional way, using only water and regenerative organic certified alcohol from cane sugar, ensuring no toxic solvent residues.
These tinctures are also designed to be felt, meaning you don’t have to wait long or take a lot to feel their benefits.
Learn more in: What Is An Herbal Tincture & Why Are They Making A Comeback?
Shop Gaia Herbs® ROC™ Certified tinctures and start creating your tincture ritual right now.
References:
1 “The Effect of Tart Cherry on Sleep Quality and Sleep Disorders: A Systematic Review.” Food Science & Nutrition.
2 “A brief overview of the medicinal and nutraceutical importance of Inonotus obliquus (chaga) mushrooms”. Heliyon.
3 “Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) in Psychological Well-Being: A Review”. Nutrients.
