Jem's Digestive Blend

An excellent tea for before, during, or after eating. This blend soothes the belly and relaxes the body. The spiciness of Ginger root offers warmth while the aromatics of Cardamon, Fennel seed, and Orange peel gently stimulate digestion. Dandelion root jumps in with the ever important bitter notes, reminding us of how bitter balances sweet. Marshmallow root smooths things over with its demulcent properties, providing slippery support to internal tissues. Lastly the sunny petals of Calendula flowers round out the blend with a sprinkle of astringency to soothe any gut inflammation. 

Community Herbalist Notes: 

I love this blend as an ally to help me digest food as well as people, places, and experiences. In particular I lean on the presence of the three roots—ginger, dandelion, and marshmallow—they offer me grounding energy and downward motion after a long day. Jem’s Digestive Blend can be brewed as a hot infusion or even gently simmered on low heat for 10-15 minutes to draw out the potency of the denser roots and seeds. 

Ginger, dandelion root, marshmallow root, fennel seed, orange peel, cardamom, and calendula petals.

Disclaimer: Anything in the above that reads like medical advice or health related claims is purely myth and legend—not endorsed by the FDA or other governing and policing bodies to whom we pay homage in all things.

Label 14

Snake

Herbs of Solidarity

Ananke, the Greek goddess of necessity, appeared as a snake—along with Chronos—at the beginning of time. They coiled around the egg of the world, and offered the contraction that would give birth to the earth. Many great things are born of necessity. In hardship we find strength. While great fame is given to the virtues of letting go, expansion, and release—all seeds require contraction to sprout new life. The oscillating heat and cold, expanding and contracting, is the heartbeat of the planet. 

Here the serpent of necessity borrows the rod of Asclepius. In an economy that devalues your life-energy and squeezes you for labor—setting up protection for cultivating health is a necessity. As a healer, she offers medicinal herbs and menacing stares. She coils and rises, protecting you during convalescence, allowing the necessary safety and rest to support your body's innate healing capacity. At the serpent’s day-spa, the roses’ aromatherapy and spiny protection are of equal import. Deep inside the elixir field, your three herbs (jing, qi, and shen) stir.

Merging with her pot of herbs, the serpent’s sidewinder spine shakes free of the past. She is proud to foster a culture of care as the sun sets on late-stage capitalism, and to reclaim her power as a folk healer in her community. Naturally imbued with class solidarity, the snake knows what it's like to slither on the ground, and be derided for their lowly place. Even climbing the heights of a tree does not shift the prejudices. But their bifurcated tongue smells a forking of history up ahead.

As production mercifully contracts, what utopia might emerge in the decline? With a hiss, the snake champions you to take hold of the scoop in their mixing bowl and be the one who chooses how your life energy is used.