At 29, I was living with tons of stress. I was a broke grad student and teacher fueled by coffee and exercise and alcohol caught in the vice grip of New York City life. I was a wreck, and I didn’t even know it.
One day, I ended up in the ER after passing out while crossing Broadway alone. Doctors couldn’t agree on what caused this. Over the next 6 months, results from intensive medical testing were inconclusive other than stress. At this point my doctor suggested I move back to the Bay area so I could thrive in a more calm and nurturing environment.
When Aaron and I moved back to San Francisco, I still felt tired and anxious so I made baby steps to improve my eating, drinking, and sleep habits. But what really changed everything was my experience with herbal medicine at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Potrero Hill, San Francisco.
The relief I found in acupuncture, meditation, and herbal medicine turned my life around. I still saw Western doctors (I come from a family of nurses), but the integration of these new medicines and habits changed my life. After a year, I had new energy from walking, doing yoga and meditation, and eating a healthier diet. I quit smoking and was drinking less alcohol and coffee.
The most exciting part of this experience with traditional medicine was learning to make herbal tea. Every week, I cooked wonderfully strange plants in a ceramic pot for 30-60 minutes. The particular herbs, fungi, and plants I used changed from week to week, according to my symptoms. Aaron and I had a blast inspecting the unfamiliar ingredients. While the tea was simmering, it filled the air with strong odors, some pleasant, some less so. The brew itself was so potent at times it was almost undrinkable.
This sudden health crisis led to my passion for herbal medicine and tea. It’s been an essential part of a healthy lifestyle for myself and my family for dealing with a wide range of issues. While August is not a wellness tea company, the herbs and spices I incorporate have special therapeutic properties. I think of them as health enhancements to our delicious blends.
Here are my favorite teas for calming and sleep, colds, digestive trouble, energy and mood boost. This is not intended to be medical advice. Our teas contain small amounts of herbs, fruits and spices. Always consult a medical professional before diagnosing or treating yourself with herbs or plants, especially if you are taking other medications or supplements.
Calming & Caffeine Free Teas
- Nightfall - This blend of potent digestive aids including marigold, ginger, lemon balm, chamomile, and lemon verbena does double duty of calming your mind and digestion.
- Days of Heaven - Lemon verbena, chamomile, rhubarb support healthy digestion and combat inflammation.
- Silent Night - Nutmeg is a powerful adaptogenic that balances mood and promotes restful sleep.
Calming Green Teas
- Combray - Vanilla promotes mental calm. Cardamom’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties help respiratory function.
- Neon Forest - Chamomile for calming and insomnia, sweet woodruff aids in insomnia and blood circulation.
Digestion Teas
- Cult of Demeter - Barley and aniseed support healthy digestion. Cacao’s flavonoids are antioxidant and antimicrobial. Cacao’s theobromine balances mood
- Nightfall - This is your best friend for soothing digestion. Marigold, ginger, lemon balm, chamomile, and lemon verbena are potent digestive aids.
- Daybreak - Reishi mushroom reduces fatigue, boosts mood and immunity. Cacao shell boosts cognition, supports gut health and reduces inflammation. Dandelion root combats inflammation. Chicory root is a prebiotic that stimulates gut health.
Mood Lift Teas
- Dolomite - Jasmine aroma is anti-anxiety and sleep aid. Almond scent also promotes calm and relaxation.
- Metropolitan - Bergamot and nutmeg both balance mood. Clove’s antioxidant powers support the respiratory and digestive system.
- Negroni - Gentian to support digestion. Orange is an energizing, uplifting aroma.
- Gold Rush - Orange aroma lifts mood. Rosemary’s antibacterial properties aid digestion, and its scent boosts memory.
Sustainable Energy Blends
- Jet Black - Both the aroma and the caffeine of coffee beans boost energy alongside strong black tea. This is a lovely energizing balance of coffee, mate, and tea for a smooth caffeine absorption thanks to the L-Theanine from tea.
- Dirty Chai - Cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper work wonders to wake up your mind and body. Mate and ground coffee add a gentle boost to the sustainable energy of black tea. The L-Theanine in tea slows caffeine absorption so you avoid energy crashes and jitters.
- Silencio - This blend simulates your palate and promotes healthy digestion. Bromelain from pineapple supports digestion. Pepper has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-ulcer and anti-asthmatic properties.
Cold and Flu Teas
- Biarritz - Star anise is used for respiratory support. Orange blossom eases coughs and digestion. Neroli promotes relaxation.
- Combray - Cardamom oil used for chest congestion, digestion and relaxation
- Civil Disobedience - Cardamom oil has been used to ease chest congestion. It also promotes digestion and relaxation.
- Tropic of Capricorn - Eucalyptus has antiviral and antifungal properties. It’s been used for cough and congestion, and its scent promotes calm and relaxation. Lemongrass supports digestion and eases headaches.
Whew! Okay that was a lot. Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy exploring some of these blends.
Thank you,
Gina
Head Blender
August Uncommon
