A soothing Levantine herbal drink — a blend of flowers and herbs (chamomile, lemon blossom, rose, and sage) steeped in hot water and sweetened with honey, a relaxation drink, very low in calories, low glycaemic load, and free from common allergens.
Zhourat is a traditional beloved Levantine soothing herbal drink (Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian, and Jordanian), a blend of dried aromatic flowers and herbs (chamomile, lemon blossom, rose, sage, wild thyme, anise, and others) steeped in hot water and sweetened with honey. Its name comes from the word for flowers.
It holds a place in Levantine folk medicine as a calming drink for the nerves and stomach, consumed for relaxation and before sleep and when stressed or during colds. Its delicate floral and herby flavour, caffeine-free nature, and soothing benefits have made it a treasured household drink, combining pleasure with rest and wellbeing, present in evening gatherings and quiet nights.
Prepare the zhourat blend (available ready-mixed, or mix dried herbs yourself: chamomile, lemon blossom, rose, sage, wild thyme, anise). Zhourat is a blend of aromatic soothing flowers and herbs with a delicate floral and herby flavour.
Bring the water to a boil then let it calm down slightly from the boil (water that is violently boiling may cause delicate herbs to lose some of their oils). Hot but not aggressively boiling water is most suitable for steeping floral herbs.
Add the zhourat blend to the hot water, cover the cup or teapot, and leave it to steep for five minutes until the water absorbs the flavour, colour, and aromatic oils of the herbs. Covering while steeping preserves the beneficial volatile aromatic oils.
Strain the drink from the herbs into cups. The infusion is now a warm golden-hued liquid with a delicate floral and herby flavour, ready to sweeten.
Add the honey and stir until dissolved (while the drink is warm not boiling, to preserve the benefits of the honey). Zhourat has a gentle flavour and needs only light sweetening. A lemon slice is an optional refreshing touch.
Serve the zhourat warm. It is a traditional beloved Levantine soothing herbal drink, consumed for relaxation and to calm the nerves and stomach and before sleep (the herbs are soothing), and it is caffeine-free. Its delicate floral flavour, warmth, and soothing benefits have made it a cherished household drink, especially in the evenings and at night and when stressed or during colds.
The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar, while the glycemic load (GL) measures how much a full serving raises it. Together they give the complete picture.
A low value (≤55) means a gradual rise in blood sugar — the most suitable range for diabetes and insulin resistance.
Glycemic load reflects the impact of the full serving. To lower it: take half a serving, or pair the recipe with a source of protein and fiber.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet per FDA food-label reference values — your daily needs may be higher or lower. Values are derived from the recipe's ingredients via the USDA database.
The most common problems when preparing Zhourat Herbal Infusion, and how to fix them:
Too few herbs or too short a steep. Use a sufficient tablespoon of the blend and steep it covered for 5 minutes (this extracts the flavour and oils). Fresh quality herbs are stronger than old faded ones.
Steeped too long. Do not over-steep (5 minutes is enough) — too long extracts bitterness and astringency from some herbs. A moderate steep gives a delicate floral flavour.
Added to a boiling drink. Add the honey while the drink is warm not boiling, as high heat destroys the enzymes in honey. Warm temperature dissolves it and preserves its benefits.
Was not strained. Strain the drink through a fine strainer when pouring, or use a tea bag or herb strainer. A strained drink is clearer and more pleasant.
Flavour is mild or expectation is too high. Zhourat is a gentle relaxing drink (its effect is a traditional soothing action through herbs, warmth, and the ritual), not a powerful medicine. Drink it warm in a quiet setting for relaxation, and use more chamomile (the most calming herb).
Zhourat is best drunk fresh and warm right after steeping (most fragrant and beneficial, the aromatic oils are at their freshest). The plain infusion (without honey) can be kept refrigerated for one day; reheat and add honey when drinking. It can also be drunk cold in summer.
The dry zhourat blend keeps in a sealed container in a cool dark place for months (retaining its aromatic oils and flavour). It is a convenient pantry staple ready to brew at any time, especially in the evenings.
The ready blend is the key to speed, steeping a cup in minutes. Prepare a quantity of the dry blend and keep it stored, for a quick relaxation drink whenever needed.
Use clean herbs from a trusted source and clean water, and drink the infusion fresh. Honey must not be given to children under one year old. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should limit concentrated herbal infusions and consult a doctor (some zhourat herbs may affect pregnancy).
| Original Ingredient | Tested Substitute | Ratio | Flavor Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready zhourat blend | Single herbs (chamomile, sage, or lemon blossom) | same quantity | A single herb can be used (chamomile for calming, sage for digestion) instead of the blend, or mix whatever is available. The blend gives a richer flavour. |
| Honey | No sweetener or a little sugar | to taste | Zhourat is delicious unsweetened (healthiest and lowest in calories), or with a little warm honey — it has a gentle flavour and does not need much. |
| Hot | Cold (in summer) | — | Steep the zhourat then chill and add ice and lemon for a refreshing iced herbal drink, a delightful summer option for the heat. |
| Number of cups | Zhourat blend | Water |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (cup) | 1/2 tablespoon | 1 cup |
| 2 (base) | 1 tablespoon | 2 cups |
| 4 (pitcher) | 2 spoons | 4 cups |
Zhourat is one of the best drinks for relaxation: a blend of herbs and flowers (chamomile is soothing, sage, lemon blossom, rose) containing aromatic oils and compounds studied for their calming effects on the nerves and stomach, caffeine-free (ideal for evenings and before sleep), very low in calories (zero without sweetening), and low glycaemic load. Tip: drink it without sweetening or with a little honey while warm. Note: pregnant and breastfeeding women should limit concentrated herbal infusions and consult a doctor (some zhourat herbs may affect pregnancy), so moderation is important.
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