Herbal Stress Relief for the Holidays That Works

A Little Calm in the Holiday Storm

The holidays are magical—but they’re also a lot. There are lists, logistics, emotions, wrapping paper explosions, and enough sugar to fuel a small army. Even when I plan to “keep it simple,” I usually find myself running on caffeine and adrenaline by mid-December.

Over the years, herbs have become my secret weapon—not just for health, but for sanity. They help slow the swirl, soothe the edges, and turn five quiet minutes into something that actually feels like rest.

The best part? Most of these are kid-safe, easy to make, and gentle enough to use every day.

So, if your holiday joy is currently wrestling with your to-do list, here are the herbal blends and rituals my family reaches for every year to stay grounded and joyful.

Kind of Holiday Support

Unlike quick fixes that spike and crash your energy (looking at you, peppermint bark), herbs work gradually, building calm instead of forcing it.

They help by:

• Calming tension without knocking you out

• Supporting restful sleep when your brain’s running tomorrow’s menu

• Soothing “stress stomach” moments

• Creating simple sensory rituals that remind your body it’s safe to relax

1. Gentle Evening Tea (Kid-Safe)

This tea has been our go-to for years—especially when excitement is high and bedtime feels like a group negotiation.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp chamomile

• 1 tsp lemon balm

• ½ tsp lavender

• Optional: touch of honey

To make: Steep for 5–7 minutes, strain, and serve warm. The scent alone starts melting away tension before the first sip.

☕ Pro Tip: Pour yours into a real mug, not a travel one. Part of the magic is slowing down enough to hold it in both hands and feel the warmth.

2. Herbal Support for Adults (When You Need Extra Calm)

There are nights when tea isn’t cutting it—when your brain is hosting a meeting about gifts, groceries, and glitter glue. That’s when I reach for tinctures.

My personal trio:

• Holy Basil tincture

• Skullcap tincture

• Lemon Balm tincture

Add a few drops of each into water or tea. They take the edge off without fogging your brain—think of it as turning the volume down on the chaos.

3. Dream Oil Roll-On

My daughter calls this her “happy dreams.” It’s our bedtime ritual—I roll it onto her wrists, and palms, and with each roll, she tells me her favorite thing from today, and what she wants to dream about tonight.

For adults:

• Fill a 10ml roller bottle with jojoba or fractionated coconut oil

• Add 3 drops lavender EO

• Add 2 drops sweet orange EO

• Add 1 drop frankincense EO

Kid-friendly version (ages 5+):

• 1 drop lavender EO

• 1 drop sweet orange EO

• (Optional) 1 drop frankincense EO for older kids

• Fill rest with carrier oil

For ages 2–4, skip the essential oils and instead infuse the carrier oil with dried lavender or lemon balm for a gentle, safe scent.

(Click here for a mini-guide on infusions)

Roll onto wrists, the back of the neck, or even a bedtime stuffy.

4. Stress-Ease Bath Soak

When we’re all running on sugar and short tempers, this soak hits reset.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Epsom salt

• 2 Tbsp dried lavender or calendula

• 5 drops wild orange EO (mixed into 1 Tbsp carrier oil first)

For kids: skip the essential oils and just use the herbs + salt. Always put herbs inside a muslin bag or tea infuser to keep the drain happy.

Soak 15–20 minutes, light a candle if you can, and try not to overthink how much wrapping is left.

Why These Herbs Work

Herb Benefit Family-Friendly?

Chamomile & Lemon Balm Gentle nervines that relax body and mind ✔ Safe for kids

Lavender Relieves tension, promotes sleep ✔

Holy Basil (Tulsi) Adaptogen that balances stress hormones ✔ (for adults)

Skullcap Calms racing thoughts Adults & older teens

Calendula Soothes skin and emotions ✔

Sweet Orange & Uplifting + grounding ✔ (diluted)

Frankincense (EOs)

Together, they form a toolkit for peaceful evenings and steadier mornings.

All-Purpose Family Calm Tea Blend

If you only want to make one thing, make this:

Holiday Calm Tea

• 2 parts chamomile

• 2 parts lemon balm

• 1 part lavender

• 1 part holy basil

Steep 1–2 tsp in hot water for 5–7 minutes. Safe for older kids and ideal as a nightly family ritual. It tastes like peace and smells like the season slowing down.

My Calm-Season Favorites

(Affiliate links—thank you for supporting The Hearth Witch’s Nook!)

• Organic Chamomile & Lemon Balm (bulk)

• 10ml Roller Bottles (set of 12)

• Bulk Epsom Salt

• Fractionated Coconut Oil (for roll-ons & baths)

• Muslin Bath Bags

🧡 Tip: Keep a small box of these supplies labeled “Holiday Calm Kit.” You’ll thank yourself when December hits full speed.

Free Printable: Holiday Herbal Calm Cards

Want to keep these recipes handy? Download your printable cards with all four stress-relief recipes plus the family tea blend.

👉 Download the Holiday Stress Relief Herbal Cards – Free

Bring More Calm to Your Holidays

If you want these rituals to become part of your family’s cozy rhythm, I created the Holiday Calm Herbal Kit (Digital) to make it easy.

Inside you’ll get:

• Full recipes for teas, soaks, and roller blends

• Clearly labeled adult + kid-safe versions

• A printable 7 Days of Calm planner

• Label templates for jars and rollers

👉 Get the Holiday Calm Herbal Kit on Gumroad

Final Thought

The holidays aren’t about perfection—they’re about connection. A warm cup of tea, a dab of lavender oil, or a ten-minute soak might not erase the chaos, but they create small, steady moments of peace that ripple outward.

Start with one ritual—just one—and let it be enough.

Here’s to a calmer, cozier, kinder season.

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.