Desert Bloom

Ingredients:

Organic oatstraw
*Tulsi
Organic hawthorn leaf & flower
Organic pink rose petals
*Yellow rose petals
Organic rose hips
Organic chamomile
*Rosemary
*Sage leaf & flower
Organic hibiscus petals
*Calendula petals
*Aztec sweet herb

*grown by Seed of Life. Everything grown here is from non-GMO seeds, and raised without the use of any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

 

What’s in the tea?

Oatstraw forms the foundation for this tea. Hildegard of Bingen called oatstraw her “happiness herb” and for good reason. Oatstraw is a mild grass full of supportive nutrients, trace minerals, and vitamins. It’s a calming herb for the central nervous system, and especially good for a body that carries deep-rooted fatigue. In this blend, oatstraw combines with tulsi and hawthorn. Tulsi is a mild and safe adaptogen for all seasons of life. It is rich in anti-oxidants and has an immediate calming effect upon the body, helping to bring it back to a state of homeostasis. Tulsi eases the effects of oxidative stress, and is also known to soothe anxiety.

Hawthorn, which is in the same plant family as the rose, is nourishing to the heart, and soothes the effects of grief at the physical and emotional level. The renowned herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar, says this of hawthorn: “It is specific medicine for those who have a difficult time expressing their feelings or who suppress their emotions. Hawthorn helps the heart flower, open, and be healed.” In mythology, the hawthorn tree was the tree of love and protection – energies that speak directly to the heart.

Speaking of roses, this blend carries both pink and yellow rose petals for their heart-easing energy and aromatic rose flavor. Roses and the heart are forever intertwined, the rose being the age-old symbol of love. In the Ayurvedic tradition, the rose is said to awaken inner beauty. Rose hips bring a warm tartness and nourishing Vitamin C.

A bit of chamomile brings calm, while rosemary and sage enliven the mind. Rosemary and sage may not be standard tea choices, but they should be. Rosemary and sage are both known to improve mood and memory, and bring healing energy to the heaviness of anxiety and depression. They also add a fragrant, earthy sweetness. Their presence in this blend is designed to help bring the mind and heart into alignment.

This tea is then given a slight sweetness with aztec sweet herb. Aztec sweet herb is a small-leafed plant that is exactly what its name indicates – sweet. I personally prefer it to stevia as it doesn’t have an aftertaste. It doesn’t take much of this plant to sweeten a tea. A 10-serving batch of this loose-leaf tea has less than 10 leaves in it. A pinch of hibiscus brings a fruity finish, and a sprinkle of calendula petals brings cheer.

Steeping guidelines:

1 full tablespoon tea to 8 ounces water
Water temp: boiling
Steep time: 6-8 minutes

A note on steeping guidelines: Personally, I will steep this tea longer than 6-8 minutes if the day calls for a stronger brew.

 

Tea Story:

No matter how strong we are, there are days that feel as though they shred the edges of our heart. For those days, I wished for a tea that was heart-focused – a tea that lent itself well to a time of contemplation and letting go. We may have been strong today, and will be strong again tomorrow, but tonight we are simply a human being with a ragged heart. A heart that wants no words, but only a gentle touch. Release what was heavy in this day, and hold what was good in your hands. It’s going to be okay.

The yellow rose petals in this tea come from a beautiful David Austin rose, The Poet’s Wife, which is a richly fragrant rose with hints of lemon. The combination of pink and yellow rose petals reminds me of a warm summer evening, and a sunset sky over sand dunes. The name drew its inspiration from Paulo Cahlo’s beautiful book, The Alchemist:

“You’re crying?”

“I’m a woman of the desert,” she said,
averting her face.
“But above all, I’m a woman.”

-The Alchemist, by Paulo Cahlo. 

Please note: All statements regarding the healing properties of the plants in this blend have not been evaluated by the FDA. This tea is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. All ingredients are clearly listed. Do your research, use caution, and please consult a doctor if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications. Anxiety and depression are serious health conditions that should be addressed with a qualified healthcare provider. Some herbals may interact adversely with certain medical conditions or medications. Take your tea with care.