UPCOMING EVENTS
Community Medicine Making Circles
with Jen Halima
Create herbal remedies with locally grown plants.
Classes will be the final Saturday of the month at Tonic Herb Shop, from 2:00-4:30
$45 per class or $275 for full series (7 Classes)
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Herbal Teas for Digestion
with Amy Boldt
Saturday, May 4th
2:00-4:00 pm
Learn about and taste herbs known for their digestive powers. You’ll get to taste each herb and will have the opportunity to blend your own formula.
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Fermented Sodas!
with Amanda Thorstad
1:00-2:30 pm
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‘Tis the Season for Tisanes (and Relaxation)
/in Herb of the Month /by Ashley DavisTisanes are herbal teas. Also called herbal infusions, these drinks are not technically “tea” because they do not contain Camellia sinensis– the plant used to make true teas like black, green and white tea.
Tisanes can be made from dried leaves, flowers, fruits, barks, roots and seeds–like chamomile, lemon balm, rose petal, mint and ginger. Flavors vary from sweet, sour, aromatic, bitter and astringent Many herbal tisanes have a relaxing effect and are loaded with antioxidants. They do not contain caffeine.
Speaking of caffeine, I am currently on day 4 of a no-sugar, no caffeine detox and am boy am I dragging! But that just goes to show how much I have been relying on these two substances to give me instant energy to get through my busy life. I knew about the dangers of sugar and caffeine. I regularly teach classes about the physiological impact of these substances, and here I am, witnessing how exhausted my body really feels beneath the surface of the constant go, go, go. The Chinese say that coffee steals energy from tomorrow to use today. It depletes one’s kidney qi, or vital energy reserves. I knew this, but like so many of us I didn’t feel that I had a choice if I was to keep going to make money and try to maintain improve my life for me and my children.
This solstice I am making it a priority to stay out of fight-or-flight mode (stress mode). Stress can be subtle, especially when it is so normalized. Even a “normal” amount of daily worry about money, chores, or getting ready for the holidays depletes our vital energy reserves.
As we enter the darkest time of the year, we are invited to surrender to the unknown. Lay down our burdens. Trust in a greater power to take care of what is most important and let the rest go so that you can rest and replenish. ‘Tis the Season for Replenishment. And relaxing herbal tisanes can help!
Here are a few of my favorite relaxing brews for snuggling up on a wintry day:
Chamomile-Spice Hot Toddy
Heart-Warming Tea
Happy Hour Tea
Hibiscus Berry Tea
Herbal Allies to Support relaxation, replenishment and surrender: