When is the best time to drink this tea, and how should it be brewed?

By its nature, this is an evening tea: caffeine-free, with a soft chamomile background and a resinous coniferous aroma that goes well with a pause after a busy day, reading or quiet relaxation in the cold season. It does not stimulate but rather helps you switch off and slow down.

For brewing herbal blends with dense plant ingredients — such as bergenia and cedar cone — the following is usually recommended:

• Take 1–2 teaspoons of the blend per 200 ml of boiling water.
• Brewing time is 5–10 minutes. A shorter time gives a lighter infusion; a longer one strengthens the astringency and the coniferous accent.
• It is best to cover the teapot or mug with a lid or saucer so that the essential oils of oregano and chamomile do not escape with the steam.
• The tea is good without additions, but if you like, a small amount of honey softens the astringency of the bergenia and brings out the coniferous note.

Store the blend in a dry place away from direct light and strong odours — herbal blends easily absorb other aromas, which can change the taste.