Farm-Fresh Herb Products to Beat the Heat
Clinical Traditions Herb Co.—a small herb farm and
apothecary located in and serving Jacksonville—grows organic herbs and then
crafts them into herbal teas, tonics and tinctures, including a Soothing
Summertime Tea and a Move Easy Elixir, which are sure to help you chill out as
the heat of summer approaches. These products— along with other healing
offerings—are available online as well as at the mobile apothecary at the
Jacksonville-based Riverside Arts Market on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Owner
Kaki (Katherine) Bryan, a certified clinical herbalist, operates under the
principle that nature knows what our bodies need. Kaki lives in alignment with
the seasons, growing and harvesting herbs to energetically meet the physical
and emotional needs each season presents.
The
herbs that prosper in the intense summer sun are here to share their resilience
to heat with us. These plants are featured in the Soothing Summertime Tea blend
and the Move Easy Elixir (a concentrated herbal extract). The phytonutrients
present in these blends help to clear heat and stagnation from the body to
create balance, Kaki explains.
“The
Soothing Summertime Tea is a tart and tangy herbal tea made for that ‘type A’
personality, or one with a strong pitta dosha, according to Ayurveda—aka a lot
of internal heat and fire,” says Kaki. “Drinking tea increases hydration,
needed on hot days, and it also provides several electrolytes that aid with
hydration.” The ingredients are roselle, lemongrass, lemon balm, cranberry
hibiscus and blue butterfly pea flowers. The ingredients are rich in
antioxidants and are organically and regeneratively grown in Jacksonville.
“This
fruity tea is a tropical delight, inspired by agua de Jamaica, but is a deep
purple color when brewed in your cup,” notes Kaki. “It has tons of
plant-healing powers, aka antioxidants, and is super hydrating. Traditionally,
many of these herbs are used to help regulate blood pressure and reduce a
fever. Roselle hibiscus is known for its calming and soothing effects on the
body. During hot summer months, when temperatures can be uncomfortably high,
consuming roselle hibiscus tea or incorporating it into refreshing beverages
can help relax the body and reduce the feeling of heat-related stress and
restlessness.”
The Move Easy Elixir is a strong blend
of anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing herbs to help you “move easy”. “This potent
remedy will help you chill out while also helping to heal bodily aches and
pains,” observes Kaki. “Ingredients include turmeric and Solomon’s seal roots,
accompanied by skullcap and ginger extracted in cane alcohol and organic raw
apple cider vinegar with a touch of black cherry juice.” The ingredients are
organically grown, sustainably hand harvested and processed with love in
Jacksonville.
The elixir comes in a 1- or 2-ounce bottle with a dropper top lid for ease of consumption. You can put the elixir straight in your mouth or dilute in a cup of water, tea or juice. “This blend is strong tasting and has strong effects, so it’s best to dilute and start with one dropper full and add more drops as needed and tolerated,” Kaki explains. “The effects of ‘Move Easy’ are mental and physical tension relief while also moistening and restoring joints and helping fascia tightness too—perfect for helping you enjoy the outside fun that the summer season offers.”
In
addition to growing herbs and crafting them into wellness products, Kaki also
offers holistic health consultations, workshops and other events. Shares Kaki:
“If you have a nagging symptom or a feeling that something just isn’t right; if
your life force isn’t satisfactory for the life you want to live and you would
like to heal naturally using a holistic (multifaceted) approach, I offer
clinical consultations to get to the root issues and provide strategies for you
to pull up those strangling roots.”