I love the trendy tagline, “Tea is a hug in a mug.”

This blend is my best attempt at being able to offer friends a hug from my home to theirs. This blend is all around goodness for body and soul with star performances in nervous system and organ function.

Tastes excellent with a small dollop of honey.

This blend was created as my first custom blend. As a gift for guests at my wedding, these plants provide heart support.

Ingredients and their function:

1. Hawthorne (click), Crataegus

Has been used to help protect against heart disease and help control high blood pressure and high cholesterol

Materia Medica (click) 

In folklore, the Hawthorn was said to demand great respect and was not to be cut down. The blossoms were used for decorating homes on May Day and the Ancient Greece brides would carry their boughs and put their blossoms in their clothing.

Energetic: Mildly warming (TCM). As an essence, heart opening.

2. Rose (click), Rosa damascena

The polyphenols in rose tea have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Materia Medica (click)

In traditional practices, Rose was likely first used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Called Mei Gui Hua (dried Chinese rosebuds, or rosae rugosae flos), roses are used for the heart, liver and spleen meridians and to regulate Qi by promoting the movement of Qi to relieve constraint. It is known to “invigorate blood.”

Energetic: Cooling (temp); Excitable (tissue)

3. Cacao (click),

Theobroma cacao

Shown to be nflammation modulating (an important process for heart health). Meta analysis showing the lowering of LDL cholesterol.

Materia Medica (click) 

In folklore, it was viewed in ancient Mesoamerica as “food of the gods,” which is where it got its name. In ceremonies it is used as medicine for the heart.

Energetics: cooling, stimulating, mood elevating

4. Cinnamon (click), Cinnamomum verum

Studies show it as an antioxidant and inflammation modulating.

Materia Medica (click)

In folklore, it was mentioned in Chinese books more than 4000 years ago and is grown in Sri Lanka. Ancient Egyptians used it to embalm. It was viewed as suitable as a gift to monarchs and in midlevel Europe it began to be used as a flavoring spice at banquets. It was one of the sparks of the “Age of Exploration.”

Energetics: Warming (TCM). Heart regulating. Ease of joints.

5. Motherwort (click),

Leonurus cardiaca

Studies show it as inflammation modulating and an antioxidant.  

Materia Medica (click) 

In folklore, English botanist and herbalist said of Motherwort,“Divers commend it against infirmities of the heart: it is judged to be so forcible, that it is thought it took his name Cardiaca of the effect.”

Nicholas Culpeper, the English physician and author of “Complete Herbal,” said that:

“There is no better herb to take melancholy vapours from the heart, to strengthen it, and make a merry, cheerful, blithe soul than this herb.”-Nicholas Culpeper

Energetics: cooling, draining heat from upper body.

6. Linden (click), Tilia

Active ingredients in the linden flowers include flavonoids (which act as antioxidants), volatile oil, and mucilage components (which are soothing and reduce inflammation).

Materia Medica (click)

In folklore, the linden tree was a sacred tree in Ancient Greece and Egypt. Masks made of linden wood have been found in the sarcophagi of the Fayum. The Celts and the Germans claimed that truth emerged under the shade of a linden tree. Its fragrance favored the clemency of the judges and the conciliation of the parties involved. In the Eastern countries, it was more recently called the tree of justice. Ovid and Jean de la Fontaine wrote about the myth of faithful love, the one of Philemon and Baucis. The gods had offered to grant their wishes: to spend their whole lives honoring them and to die at the same time.

“Baucis becomes a linden tree, Philemon becomes an oak tree.

If only the spouses would stay under their shade,

They love each other to the end, in spite of the effort of years.“

Energetics: slightly sweet, aromatic, moist. In TCM, relieve Qi stagnation

7. Hibiscus (click), Hibiscus sabdariffa

According to study results, consumption of sour tea (H. sabdariffa) could effectively lower blood pressure in patients with stage 1 hypertension (i.e. in those with existing high BP).

Materia Medica (click)

In Ayurveda tradition calls it Japa Pushpa, is used for heart and circulatory. In folklore, the hibiscus is closely associated with the Hindu goddess Kali, who embodies “life force” and the affirmation of life. Mexican folklore says that the first agua frescas were made by Aztecs, from fruits gathered around Tenochtitlán and chilled with ice from nearby dormant volcanoes, Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl.

Purveyors:

Spirit Works Trilogy Apothecary

Mountain Rose Herbs

My Home (either garden or

wild-crafted)

I prefer to make this blend on a stovetop with a saucepan (but an infuser would work just fine!).  I place 1 Tbs per 8oz cup that I plan to make (I make a day’s worth for sipping all day) and bring to a boil.  I then turn the heat down and allow to simmer for at least 20 minutes.  Strain and place in a carafe to keep warm.

This blend is perhaps my favorite (I might be a little bias because I work with clients with autoimmune disease and hormone dysfunction and see how many people are suffering with these health issues).

Most of modern and western society likely suffer with inflammation dysfunction (i.e. our body’s inflammatory response being out of balance), so this blend is near and dear to my mission and my heart.

Materia Medica for This Blend:

Linden / Tilia

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15507365/

https://draxe.com/nutrition/linden-tea/

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-linden-tea

Hibiscus

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33507846/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285964700_Anti-_inflammatory_effects_of_Hibiscus_rosa-sinensis_L_and_Hibiscus_rosa-sinensis_var_alba_ethanol_extracts

Fennel

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8545060/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535215001987

Cinnamon 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2

Turmeric

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/turmeric-benefits

Rooibos 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19419525/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/rooibos-tea-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4

In one 15-person study, blood levels of antioxidants increased by 2.9% when participants drank red rooibos and 6.6% when they drank the green variety.

This uptick lasted for five hours after the participants drank 17 ounces (500 ml) of tea made with 750 mg of rooibos leaves (10).

Orange peel and orange oil

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453014000056#:~:text=Orange%20peel%20is%20rich%20in,15%5D%2C%20%5B16%5D.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4121996/

The existing research evidence suggests that flavonoids extracted from citrus fruit peels are the most bioactive on Earth, even more than the citrus fruit juice sac components.

Contraindications:

Chamomile

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2982259/#:~:text=Chamomile%20is%20known%20to%20possess%20anti%2Dinflammatory%20and%20antioxidant%20effects.

Chamomile is known to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In the present study, we demonstrated that chamomile inhibits NO production and iNOS expression in macrophages, and showed that these effects are mediated through the inhibition of NF-κ B/Rel transcription factor. As stated earlier NO plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases, including cancer. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of chamomile on iNOS gene expression suggests that this is one of the mechanisms responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties.

This blend was created as my second custom blend to give my kids as a Christmas gift.

As young adults in 2023, it can be a challenge to ground oneself. This blend is designed to incorporate plants that support self assurance, self confidence and stress resilience.

1. Hawthorne (click), Crataegus

May significantly reduce anxiety. Has been shown to aid in digestion (which is important for mental health). May have antispasmodic effects, specifically helping with heart palpitations.

Materia Medica (click)

In folklore, the Hawthorn was said to demand great respect and was not to be cut down. The blossoms were used for decorating homes on May Day and the Ancient Greece brides would carry their boughs and put their blossoms in their clothing.

Energetic: Mildly warming (TCM). As an essence, heart opening. Lifts the heart when the heart is heavy.

2. Gotu Kola (click), Centella asiatica

Studies indicate this as having the capacity for being a mood enhancer and offering cognitive functional support.

Materia Medica (click)

In traditional medicine, it has been called "the fountain of life" because legend has it that an ancient Chinese herbalist lived for more than 200 years as a result of taking gotu kola. In the folklore of Sri Lanka, the deep memories and long lives of elephants are attributed to their favorite snack—gotu kola.

Energetics: memory, focus, cooling

3. Lemon Balm (click),

Melissa officinalis

Meta analysis shows significant improvement in anxiety. May work by significantly reducing excitatory transmission in the brain by inhibiting an enzyme called GABA-T that breaks down GABA, thus increasing the amount of GABA available in the brain.

Materia Medica (click)

In folklore, the name “Melissa,” originates from the Greek word for honeybee and was planted to keep the sacred honeybee content. Lemon Balm grows with steady intentionality, growing with a sort of confidence. In this sense, her attributes are said to offer us the same confidence and intentionality.

Energetics: Like other members of the Mint family, Lemon Balm can be both cooling and warming energetically.

4. Nettles (click), Urtica dioica

Nature’s multi vitamin.

Materia Medica (click)

In folklore, Nettles has been known the world over for time immemorial. Many indigenous cultures used Nettles in similar ways, from medicinal to practical use. 

In magic, the Cree of North America have legend on its sting, “Masan [stinging nettle] was once golden with shimmering leaves and a bright aura. The human beings did not pay their respect to this plant medicine, taking it for granted, passing it by without offering tobacco. In time it turned color to blend in with the other plants and grew stinging hairs to catch the human beings by surprise and sting them. That made us pay respect. (Keane, 2005)

Energetics: cooling, drying, draining

5. Skullcap (click),

Scutellaria lateriflora

American skullcap has been shown to boost mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety.

It’s thought that American skullcap positively impacts mood and reduces anxiety by stimulating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps calm nerves.

Materia Medica (click)

In folklore, “American Native Uses: Many tribes used Skullcap to remedy rabies from mad dog bites, it thus adopted its nickname “Mad-Dog Weed”, although this application remains somewhat of a controversy. The Mesquakie tribes used Skullcap to treat diarrhea, the Cherokee used it to stimulate a delayed menstrual cycle, to relieve breast pain, soothe nervous tension of all sorts, and to aid in childbirth.

Skullcap was amongst the herbs found listed on wooden tablets discovered in 1973, in 2nd century tombs in China.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Skullcap species, such as Baical Skullcap, were utilized for its strong anti inflammatory capabilities due to its high levels of flavonoids. It was also used for depleted capillaries and venous integrity. It was indicated for conditions of excessive mental chatter and inability to quiet the mind.” - Sun God Medicinals

Energetics: cooling

6. Passionflower (click),

Passiflora incarnata

Studies show that passionflower has the potential to alleviate some symptoms of the origins of neuropsychiatric (such as stress, insomnia and anxiety). Studies also show it may offer a gentle sedative (thus it’s use for insomnia)

Materia Medica

In folklore, Pasiflora (Passionflower) was called coanenepilli (snake tongue) in Nahuatl because of the curvy membranous outgrowths’ resemblance. In Maya, this plant is known as Pochil or Kansel-ak. It was a traditional remedy for snakebites and fevers. In herbal remedies still used in Mexico, pasiflora is often included in treatments of insomnia, anxiety, and nervousness including opiate withdrawal. Studies have shown that Maypop (Passiflora incarnata) extracts are effective sleep inducers as well useful in the treatment of anxiety and depression. And researchers have confired that at least one variety, the giant granadilla (Passiflora quadrangularis), contains serotonin. *Source-Survivingmexico.com

Energetics: Cooling

7. Tulsi (AKA Holy Basil) (click), Ocimum tenuiflorum

Studies show tulsi as metabolic supportive (by improvement in both blood glucose and HbAc1 levels). Trials reported on the effect of tulsi on individual features of metabolic syndrome improvement. (Metabolism is important for energy optimization which is key for mood enhancement).

Materia Medica (click)

In traditional medicine, holy basil is considered in Ayurveda to be a Rasayana herb, one that “nourishes a person’s growth to perfect health and promotes long life.” Some spiritual traditions consider tulsi to be the embodiment of the goddess Lakshmi, with her spiritual powers infused within the plant. Tulsi is grown in many home courtyards throughout India, where it is offered gratitude and reverence as part of daily puja (worship).

Energetics: warming

8. Rosehips (click), Rosa canina

A multivitamin, specifically high amounts of Vitamin C (higher than fruits). The adrenal gland is among the organs with the highest concentration of vitamin C in the body. (The adrenal gland being the gland that supports stress modulation).

Materia Medica (click)

“Folklore tells us that Rosehips and petals were placed in a handkerchief and thrice tied in a bundle with a red ribbon. On a Friday, the day linked to the goddesses of love and romance - Venus, Aphrodite and Freya - a lady would carry the small bundle and make a wish to nurture romance and love.” *source-Pipettes.co.uk

Energetics: cooling, moistening

Purveyors:

Spirit Works Trilogy Apothecary

Mountain Rose Herbs

My Home (either garden or

wild-crafted)