Tea and Tisanes; Traditions and Translations

Folk Herbalism

…is what I like to think of as “the magick inherent in working with plant matter, elemental energy, and intention”

In some ways it feels odd to talk about tea, ne, tisane given everything happening lately but I've spent the last two weeks deep in what folx call spooky season, with herbal blends being a big part of my work so I’m happy to share some of that with you here.

Funny thing is, if you turn to any form of media... it's still spooky season in a very different [world & political news] context. We’re all working through a lot, when many cultures believe that we humans have closer access to wisdom from our ancestors and the earth, is all I’m saying.

It’s felt like a blessing and a rest to work with my altars and flowers and rosaries and cards and ancestors all month. As I’m also doing shadow work this fall for the first time around, I keep thinking about ways to feel grounded and protected. Not so strangely that includes feeling connected to the earth. For me that means integrating plants into my every day life, so among other things, I’ve been drinking way more tisane in fall than in the summer.

This year, I've gone from drinking lemon verbena with hibiscus to mostly drinking black tea with spices... and those choices have been heavily informed by my Caribbean upbringing and my 9 month immersion program in Yogic practices, including Ayurveda and Asana.

While I've always enjoyed most of the ingredients in traditional chai, I'd never had a commercial version that I enjoyed mostly because I'm not a dairy-in-tea person... It wasn't until I shared masala chai made with my fellow immersion-mates one bright but chilly Sunday afternoon, that I fully learned to understand and appreciate the drink. Something clicked for me exploring Yogic traditions with other folx of color, guided by our teacher who grew up with those traditions and shares from a 'decolonize, reclaim, and reframe' lens. Shout out to Satya Yoga Coop for their pioneering work to decolonize yoga!

It's a tiny secret that I'd wanted to offer a chai blend early on after starting Premye, but not being of Indian or Hindu descent I was hesitant to do that without research and respect. Learning about Chai's relatively recent history [black tea came to India in part due to Britain's quest for affordable importable tea] was eye opening especially when I focused on the Chai Wallahs ingenuity and stunning syncretism in crafting local blends. As a Black Caribbean person working on decolonization and culturally conscious herbalism, I appreciate syncretism for its resourcefulness and radical ways of honoring traditions while adapting to the now.

Folk herbalism, what I like to think of as “the magick inherent in working with plant matter, elemental energy, and intention” is a balm and an aid in troubling times. Just like deepening spiritual practices, taking time to care for ones communities, and intentionally cultivating patience and balance can do the same. My herbal teas and tisanes are grounded in those intentions and as an herbal artist it’s such a joyous practice to let aroma and aesthetics play a key role in how I formulate my blends and offerings.

I'm excited to introduce my Karibe Chai during this season of tradition and transition, and I offer this blend in the spirit of transculturation and syncretism. For me, those concepts are about respectful incorporation of cultural traditions with layers of one's own cultural heritage.

Karibe Chai features traditional Masala Chai ingredients [black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and peppercorns] with a culturally West Indian twist of allspice, hibiscus, juniper, and orange rind. The blend has a bright, crisp feel with floral, citrus, and earthy notes. Together these herbs can have an energizing, digestively supportive, and grounding effect. This blend is intended to be prepared in the more traditional method of decoction. Read more about the blend in the shop!

PS. This is one of those tip of the iceberg conversations for me, and I think we all have room to grow and share here. I want to share this resource from California State University on cultural appropriation and transculturation. The definitions shared, questions posed, and resources offered in the work helped me evaluate and express my thoughts on crafting a traditionally Indian drink as a Black Caribbean person in the West. If you have thoughts you'd like to share on this topic, drop me a line!