‘Cleansing’ herbal tea is the second tea in the ‘As Above, So Below‘ bath tea collection. It was created to invoke the water element of the Svadhishthana chakra; the sacral chakra.
Svadhishthana Chakra
Svadhishthana chakra is the next chakra up the stream from the muladhara chakra, and it is the seat of your intuition, sexuality, and of your ability to transform and accept change. The sacral chakra is the dwelling place of the self, filled with the power of creation.
Each ingredient in Cleansing tea contains a little medicine and a little magic. I’m not here to talk about the more farfetched claims surrounding any of these herbs; studies have been done about each of them that talk about preventing cancer or other major diseases, but we’re not going to go there. Please do not use herbal tea in place of actual advice or prescriptions from your doctor, and remember to check if any medication you are taking could react with the ingredients in the tea.
Tulsi Holy Basil
Tulsi holy basil has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial agents; some people use it as a mouthwash and in hand sanitizer, though the studies were done using an alcohol extraction rather than a tea. It has been used to counteract stress and anxiety, to create positive effects on cognitive function and memory, and to help with blood pressure (again, please see above RE: not using tea as medication). Holy basil–sometimes called ‘hot basil’ because of the peppery flavour of the leaves–also has antioxidant properties.
On the magic side of things, tulsi holy basil is used for protection against negative energies and ‘evil spirits’. It is considered a purifier of mind and body, a connecter to the divine, an awareness enhancer. Holy basil is said to promote spiritual growth, connecting one with their own inner wisdom, with other people, and with the spirit realm.
Bay Leaf
Bay leaf is a perennial shrub of the laurel family, and has been used for thousands of years as a food flavourer and a traditional medicine. It has antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antibacterial properties, and is used as insect repellant. Bay leaf contains linalool, which some studies say can act on the central nervous system as an antidepressant agent.
Magically speaking, bay leaf doesn’t rest on its laurels; people use it for protection, purification, good luck, and boosting psychic powers. Placing it under your pillow is said to bring on prophetic dreams, and carrying a leaf on your person is protection from dark magic.
Black Pepper
Black pepper was once called ‘black gold’ because of how precious it was. One of its bioactive compounds is piperine, which gives pepper its sharp flavour and a lot of its health benefits. Piperine is a kind of antioxidant that reduces the risk of chronic illnesses and neurological conditions, and it increases the amount of nutrients absorbed into the bloodstream when mixed with other foods. It aids digestion by stimulating production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and can reduce gas buildup in the intestines. Black pepper also boosts white blood cells, supporting your immune system.
Black pepper’s metaphysical properties include protection, and banishment of negativity. It can help you release jealousy, and boost confidence. Some people use it to clear energy blocks and help open their third eye.
Sage
Sage contains important minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and copper, and is high in vitamin K. It has antioxidant properties as well, helping protect cells from damage via small amounts of vitamins A, C, and E, and rosmarinic acid. One study using sage as mouthwash showed it to have antimicrobial properties as well, successfully reducing the colony count of streptococcus mutans , the bacteria that makes plaque.
The magic of sage is similar across many cultures; it’s used for purification and removal of negative energy. Some people carry it to improve wisdom and increase mental abilities and health. Sage burning for purification is a highly appropriated practice in witchy communities, so I’ve made sure the sage in my tea is ethically harvested, and not the white sage that the indigenous people of Turtle Island use for smudging.
What's in the Box
When you purchase Cleansing herbal tea at my massage therapy studio, you’ll get a cute paper pillow box with a sigil on the label. Each box contains one small tea bag with 1 teaspoon of loose tea, and one large tea bag with 2 teaspoons of loose tea. I created the sigil to infuse the contents of the box with purifying energy directed at the person who uses the tea. The tea bags, tea, box, and labels are all compostable.
How to Use
Cleansing herbal tea is a savoury tea with a deep and peppery scent, invoking a solemn ritual atmosphere. This tea might taste odd with sweetener added, so I usually add epsom salt or sea salt to the tub, and a little pinch of sea salt to the tea. If you are feeling extra witchy, drop a stone like carnelian or tiger’s eye in your bath for a little more sacral chakra magic (I don’t recommend adding stones to your tea; some crystals are water soluble and not good for drinking).
Because it is soup outside and not weather, try taking a cool bath with this tea instead. Simply find two glass jars with lids, fill both with water, and drop a tea bag in each jar. Seal the jars and let them steep at room temperature overnight (perhaps on your windowsill under the moon? It will be full soon) or for at least 18 hours. You might want to put them in the fridge once they’re steeped for a little extra cryotherapy magic. Then, pour a lukewarm or cool bath, dump the bath tea jar in the tub, and either drink the other tea straight from the jar, or pour into a fancy cup or mug to drink from.
Hydrotherapy wisdom teaches us that soaking in a salt bath for longer than 20 minutes will reduce the medicinal aspect of your soak. I’ve measured the tea bag for your cup to make a smallish cup of tea, because drinking too much hot beverage in a hot bath can be dangerous for your thermoregulation. Remember the hydrotherapy gods? They’re still watching. Please bathe responsibly.