5 Herbal Recipes to Soothe Stress, Mood Swings & Fatigue

Fall is my favorite season, but it’s also the one where my energy dips and my mood feels like it’s riding a hay wagon through a corn maze—great one minute, stuck the next.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The combination of shifting light, school schedules, and seasonal change can be a lot. But instead of pushing through, I’ve learned to soften. And herbs help with that.

These five recipes are my personal go-tos when I’m feeling scattered, tense, or just plain tired. They’re not miracle cures—but they help me support my nervous system, balance my mood, and reclaim a little steadiness in the swirl.

Made for You If...

• You’re feeling mentally or emotionally off as the seasons shift

• You need energy support that doesn’t involve more caffeine

• You’re looking for herbal recipes that are simple and effective

• You want something natural that’s safe for regular use

What You’ll Come Away With:

• 5 easy herbal recipes to support mood and energy

• The real-life why behind each herb

• Ideas for teas, tinctures, sprays, and soaks

• A printable pack to keep on hand when overwhelm hits

🌿 Want all of these recipes plus bonus blends, herbal guides, and a printable Mood & Energy Tracker?

I bundled everything into a cozy little digital pack so you can keep it in your kitchen, print the recipes you love, and track what works best for your mood and energy. Grab the Mood & Energy Herbal Recipe Pack here - just $5 for 7 recipes, a quick-reference herbal guide, and a 7-day tracker you can start using today.

1. Holy Basil Morning Tea (aka Tulsi)

Adaptogenic and uplifting, holy basil is my favorite for foggy, overwhelmed mornings.

To Brew:

• 1 tsp dried holy basil-Holy basil is an adaptogen, meaning it helps your body adapt to physical and emotional stress. Studies suggest it may reduce cortisol levels, improve mental clarity, and boost overall resilience.

• 1/2 tsp spearmint or lemon balm-Calming to digestion and gently uplifting, spearmint is known for reducing mild tension and helping with focus. Lemon Balm is a gentle nervine (nerve-calming herb) that can lift mood, promote relaxation, and support focus without sedation.

• Steep in hot water for 5–7 minutes

Drink in place of your second cup of coffee or when motivation dips. I sip this while opening the curtains and stretching—it helps clear the cobwebs.

🛒 I buy my holy basil in bulk and store it in these glass herb jars for easy scooping (affiliate).

2. Lavender + Lemon Balm Mist

This is my reset button. I use it mid-afternoon when I’m overstimulated or scattered.

To Make:

• 2 oz distilled water

• 1 oz alcohol-free witch hazel

• 8 drops lavender essential oil

• 6 drops lemon balm EO or sweet orange

Mist around your workspace, living room, or onto your chest like a mini aromatherapy hug.

👉 Use our base mist recipe from the Mood-Boosting Room Spray

🛒 I use these amber glass spray bottles to preserve the scent and avoid plastics (affiliate).

3. Oat + Chamomile Bath Soak

Simple, soothing, and skin-softening. Great for tension and emotional spiral days.

To Make:

• 1 cup oats (whole or ground)

• 1/2 cup dried chamomile

• 1/4 cup Epsom salt (optional)

Bundle in a muslin bag or old sock and toss in bath. Soak 15–20 minutes.

Loving these recipes so far? The Mood & Energy Herbal Recipe Pack includes two extra mood-boosting recipes plus an herbal quick-reference guide and printable tracker. Perfect to keep by your tea kettle or tuck into your self-care stash.

Lazy Hack: Use the bath tea after your kid’s bath—it helps you both.

🛒 Grab these reusable muslin soak bags to keep cleanup simple (affiliate).

4. Passionflower + Lemon Balm Glycerite

Best for late afternoon or evening support when everything feels overstimulating or edgy.

To Use:
Take 1 dropper of the lemon balm glycerite in passionflower tea before dinner or as part of your bedtime routine.

Passionflower: A calming nervine that supports the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest mode). It may help ease racing thoughts, tension, and occasional sleeplessness.

Lemon Balm: Pairs beautifully with passionflower for both mental and physical relaxation, and may also help improve mild restlessness in the evening.

🛒 I keep glycerites in these 2 oz amber dropper bottles labeled by use (affiliate).

5. Nervine Nourishing Tea Blend

This one’s more of a reset tea for hard days. Gentle enough to drink daily.

To Blend:

• 1 part oatstraw

• 1 part lemon balm

• 1 part holy basil

• 1/2 part rose or chamomile

Oatstraw: Nutrient-rich (especially in minerals like magnesium and calcium), oatstraw supports long-term nervous system health and can help reduce burnout.

Brew 1 tbsp per mug, steep covered for 10 minutes. Sweeten if you’d like. I usually make a thermos of this to sip throughout the day.

👉If you'd like a little extra nudge to make these moments part of your routine, my Mood & Energy Herbal Recipe Pack pulls all 5 recipes together, includes 2 bonus recipes, add the herbal "why" guide and includes a printable tracker so you can see what's working.

Get the pack here and keep it handy for the days when you need it most!

Final Thought:

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for stress or fatigue—but small herbal moments can go a long way. Whether it’s a tea in the morning, a mist in the afternoon, or a warm soak at night, you’re allowed to support yourself gently.

These aren’t chores. They’re care.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All content is for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.