Herbal teas at night

[Roberto]

Hello,
I am looking for ideas to test, herbal teas/infusions to be used during night watches.
During the day I make tea, about 0.5l, 1 to 3 times a day I keep outside in a thermal flask; the longer it remains warm the better it is, it warms the hands etc. Coffee for me is totally different, I like it strong and concentrated so not for navigation; really not interested in decaffeinated or powder coffee.
I'd like something to drink at night while outside, maybe 2 x 0.5l during the whole night, but it must have no effect whatsoever over sleep cycles.
I am maybe sensitive for example if a drink a Coke during dinner then until 3AM I am in bed with the eyes wide open; this rules out tea (same effect), I'd like to test some herbal infusions. Internet suggests either sleep favouring infusions like chamomile linden etc, or other types like guarana etc which might keep someone awake for hours and hours: what type of herbal infusions have the least effect over sleep?

 

[Sandydog2]

I would go with whatever you enjoy that doesn’t have caffeine in, but also check that they are not acidic. Some of the herbal teas are very bad for tooth enamel and you wouldn’t want to be drinking them slowly over the night. Camomile, red bush or peppermint are not acidic. There are potential drug interactions with any herbs so do check if you are on medication. Probably best to have a few different ones that suit you rather than drinking huge quantities of any one thing.

 

[S04]

Not nearly as refined as herbal tea but in the Navy (many moons ago) the thing that those on a night watch would relish was a mug of kai. Made from a hard block of pusser's dark chocolate, scraped and melted in a pot with condensed milk and sugar. I can sense it now. It was the most satisfying thing one could ask for particularly when making night surface passages during a spot of roughers especially in the cold higher latitudes. A memory I shall retain forever.

The same thing sustained many an Arctic convoy crew during their terrible miseries.

 

[johnalison]

I have no liking for herbal teas. For us, a Bovril was always the stand-by hot drink, and great for morale in the middle of the night. I believe that a caffeine-free version is available.

 

[SimonX]

I am a coffee drinker and don’t drink normal tea but this stuff is nice. Amazon.co.uk

 

[geem]

We drink Rooibos tea. It's naturally has no caffeine. You drink it black. Lots of health benefits and tastes good if you find the brand that suits you. We drink the Tick Tock brand. Very nice

 

[Roberto]

Thanks all, taking notes before ordering some samples and begin some winter time testing

 

[Mark-1]

Not nearly as refined as herbal tea but in the Navy (many moons ago) the thing that those on a night watch would relish was a mug of kai. Made from a hard block of pusser's dark chocolate, scraped and melted in a pot with condensed milk and sugar. I can sense it now. It was the most satisfying thing one could ask for particularly when making night surface passages during a spot of roughers especially in the cold higher latitudes. A memory I shall retain forever.

The same thing sustained many an Arctic convoy crew during their terrible miseries.

I'm currently reading Bartimeus, Naval Occasions one chapter at a time as an Advent Calender. Also the WHW podcast is covering Atlantic Convoys and Swordfish attacks.

This post is properly in keeping, thanks!

 

[Bouba]

Some infusions are effective diuretics....you can’t sleep if you have to get up to pee

 

[benjenbav]

I minimise my intake of caffeine for various reasons, but have found Twinings Decaffeinated Everyday tea to be pleasant and not wildly different in taste to something like an Assam.

 

[Minerva]

I’m a big fan of Pukka teas - tend to cycle through vanilla chai, peppermint & lemon and ginger.

Or particularly a fan of fruit teas - may as well have warm cordial.

We drink them every evening during the week as I don’t have caffeine after 11:30am

 

[Roberto]

Some infusions are effective diuretics....you can’t sleep if you have to get up to pee

OT to this thread, sometimes it may be the objective proper Talking singlehanding over long periods, there may occasionnally be situations when one has accumulated excess fatigue (usually by skipping previous sleep cycles) and the body is urgently requiring a longer rest, the risk is one collapses into very deep sleep during 7-8+ consecutive hours, which might be ok in the middle of nowhere but a lot less if nearing land or other dangers. While in very deep sleep the usual sound alarms are often totally insufficient to wake one up, so before falling asleep I drink as much water as I can: a couple of hours later the stimulus to relieve myself is a lot stronger than any other alarm, tried and tested
I don t remember (nor know) the exact details but Alex Thomson said he slept through sound and vibrating alarms he had and ended hitting Guadalupe, possibly the same type of situation(?)
Route du Rhum: Alex Thomson runs aground on Guadeloupe

 

[sawduster]

Decaf earl grey has started appearing in the shops recently, quite like it as it's easier to drink without milk than normal black decaf tea.