Herbal Research & Evidence

☀️ Focus Ritual Botanicals

  • Camellia sinensis (Organic green tea, leaf) — traditionally sipped for alertness and a crisp, clear sensory profile.
    Evidence snapshot: PMID: 21040626 (L-theanine+caffeine improved attention in a crossover trial), Review (overview of L-theanine+caffeine and cognition).
  • Centella asiatica (Gotu kola, herb) — used in traditional systems for mental clarity and calm focus.
    Evidence snapshot: PMID: 28878245 (systematic review; mixed/limited clinical evidence, more trials needed).
  • Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary, leaf) — classic “remembrance” herb with invigorating aroma.
    Evidence snapshot: PMID: 35170682 / Open-access review (cognition-related findings; heterogeneity noted).
  • Mentha piperita (Peppermint, leaf) — refreshing, uplifting aroma associated with alertness in lab settings.
    Evidence snapshot: PMID: 18041606 (aroma study: peppermint increased alertness and some memory measures).
  • Ginkgo biloba (Leaf) — historically used for circulation and mental processing.
    Evidence snapshot: PMID: 25114079 (meta-analysis in cognitive impairment showed benefits with EGb761); PMID: 23001963 (no clear effect in healthy adults). Findings vary by population and preparation.

🌙 Rest Ritual Botanicals

  • Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm, leaf) — gentle citrus-herbal profile traditionally used for calm.
    Evidence snapshot: PMID: 34449930 (systematic review/meta-analysis for anxiety/depression outcomes); PMID: 39458539 (2024 clinical review noting promise; more RCTs needed).
  • Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower, herb) — traditionally sipped in the evening for unwinding.
    Evidence snapshot: PMID: 21294203 (passionflower tea improved subjective sleep quality in a small RCT); Open-access RCT (2024) (extract supported sleep quality/stress measures).
  • Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile, flower) — honeyed floral notes with a long history in bedtime teas.
    Evidence snapshot: PMID: 31006899 (systematic review/meta-analysis on sleep/GAD; generally supportive with caveats); PMID: 39106912 (recent review on sleep outcomes; improvements mainly in awakenings).
  • Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender, flower) — calming aroma often used in wind-down routines.
    Evidence snapshot: PMID: 31655395 (systematic review/meta-analysis of lavender for anxiety—oral forms strongest; inhalation evidence mixed).
  • Scutellaria lateriflora (Skullcap, herb) — a traditional “relaxing nervine” in Western herbalism.
    Evidence snapshot: PMID: 23878109 (double-blind crossover study in healthy adults suggested mood/anxiolytic effects); Emerging human data; more large trials needed.

🌿 How to Read the Research

🔬 Clinical Trial (RCT): Human studies comparing an herb to a placebo or control group. These show how herbs may affect people under controlled conditions, though doses or extracts can differ from those used in teas.

📖 Systematic Review or Meta-Analysis: Summaries of multiple clinical trials that help reveal overall trends. They offer a broad view but depend on the quality and size of included studies.

🌿 Traditional & Observational Use: Centuries of use or real-world data showing how certain herbs have been part of cultural wellness practices. While not cause-and-effect evidence, they provide valuable historical and safety context.

💫 Takeaway: Science continues to explore why these time-honored botanicals support clarity, rest, and balance. Understanding different study types helps you interpret results with curiosity rather than certainty.

How to Brew & Begin Your Ritual | Shop All Blends | Read FAQs

References are provided for education only. Our teas are food/beverage products and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Individual studies vary in methods and populations; results may not generalize to everyone.

Shop Now

Ritual Teas by Natural Care Doc

Discover functional, small-batch teas formulated by a naturopathic doctor to support beauty, balance, and focus from within.

Each blend is crafted with clinically studied botanicals that target the body’s natural rhythms—helping you sharpen the mind or settle into deep rest.

✨ Focus Ritual — for clarity, steady energy, and mental resilience.

🌙 Rest Ritual — for calm, relaxation, and restorative sleep.

Sip with intention. Each ritual supports your nervous system, hormones, and skin health through the synergy of herbs and mindfulness.

Learn how to brew your tea ritual, explore the science behind our ingredients, or visit our FAQ page for details on freshness, safety, and sourcing.