Health condition
Recipes & herbs for Sleep & Stress
Adaptogens like ashwagandha modulate cortisol; chamomile and L-theanine ease anxiety; magnesium-rich foods relax muscles. Best taken in evening for sleep support.
4 herbs that support sleep & stress
Basil
Sweet, peppery, anise, clove
Active: eugenol
1 cup loose leaves fresh
Chamomile
Apple-like, slightly floral, mild
Active: apigenin
1–3 cups tea daily
Ashwagandha
Earthy, bitter, slightly horsey
Active: withanolides
300–500 mg standardized extract
Lemongrass
Bright lemon-citrus, slightly grassy
Active: citral
1 stalk fresh per meal, or 1 tsp dried in tea
Recipes featuring these herbs
11 recipes in the RecipeCrave catalog that use one or more of the herbs above. Sorted by simplest first.
vegetarianCreamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
Comfort-in-a-bowl with cheese tortellini, basil, and a velvety tomato broth. twenty-five minutes from pantry to spoon.
- Time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4 servings
- Calories
- 460 kcal
- Cost per serving
- $3.10/serving
dairy free30-Minute Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow)
Bangkok street food in under thirty minutes. fragrant basil, garlic, chili, and crispy fried egg on top.
- Time
- 22 min
- Servings
- 4 servings
- Calories
- 480 kcal
- Cost per serving
- $3.40/serving
dairy freeQuick Vietnamese Pho (Beef Noodle Soup)
Aromatic star-anise broth, tender rice noodles, paper-thin beef finished with basil, lime, and bean sprouts. Vietnam in a bowl, in under an hour.
- Time
- 1 hr
- Servings
- 4 servings
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Cost per serving
- $4.20/serving
veganProvençal Ratatouille
Slow-cooked summer vegetables. eggplant, zucchini, tomato, pepper. silky, garlicky, herb-infused. Vegan main or stunning side.
- Time
- 1 hr 10 min
- Servings
- 6 servings
- Calories
- 220 kcal
- Cost per serving
- $2.40/serving
dairy freeVietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich
Crispy baguette stuffed with grilled pork, pickled daikon-carrot, cilantro, jalapeño, pâté, and mayo. Saigon's answer to the perfect sandwich.
- Time
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4 servings
- Calories
- 580 kcal
- Cost per serving
- $4.20/serving
dairy freeTom Yum Goong (Thai Hot & Sour Shrimp Soup)
Lemongrass, lime, galangal, and chili in a fragrant broth with shrimp. Thailand's bright, fiery, intensely aromatic soup.
- Time
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4 servings
- Calories
- 220 kcal
- Cost per serving
- $5.60/serving
veganCoconut Water Lime Refresh
Fresh coconut water shaken with lime, ginger syrup, and a sprig of basil. Nature's sports drink — minerals, electrolytes, no added sugar.
- Time
- 5 min
- Servings
- 2 servings
- Calories
- 60 kcal
- Cost per serving
- $1.30/serving
Curry Goat
Many will think this is the same as goat meat pepper soup, but, no! This is totally different. This meal takes a lot of time and should be prepared in advanced before guests arrival
- Time
- 1 hr 20 min
- Servings
- 6 servings
- Cost per serving
- $4.50/serving
vegetarianAshwagandha Chamomile Bedtime Rice Pudding
A warm dessert tuned for sleep. Pairs ashwagandha (cortisol-lowering adaptogen) with chamomile flowers (apigenin binds the same receptors as benzodiazepine drugs). Slow-cooked rice provides complex carbs that boost serotonin precursor uptake. Eat 60-90 minutes before bed.
- Time
- 35 min
- Servings
- 3 servings
- Calories
- 320 kcal
- Cost per serving
- $2.10/serving
dairy freeBurmese Mohinga
Myanmar's national dish — rice noodles in a deep, lemongrass-fish broth thickened with chickpea flour, eaten any time of day but classically for breakfast.
- Time
- 1 hr 25 min
- Servings
- 6 servings
- Cost per serving
- $3.40/serving
gluten freeCambodian Fish Amok
The signature dish of Cambodia — fish steamed in a banana leaf with a yellow kroeung curry paste of lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, and kaffir lime, set with egg and coconut.
- Time
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4 servings
- Cost per serving
- $4.80/serving
Important
Diet is supportive, not replacement therapy. Sleep & Stress that is severe or progressive requires a qualified clinician. Herbs can interact with prescription medication — check each herb page before adding therapeutic doses to your routine.