I’ve curated Focus herbal tea to bring the fire. The third tea in the ‘As Above, So Below‘ herbal bath tea collection was created to concentrate the sunny fire element of the Manipura chakra; the solar plexus chakra.
Manipura Chakra
Manipura chakra is stacked on top of the svadhisthnana chakra, just a bit above the navel. It means ‘place of shining gem’, so Steven Universe is pretty on track with its belly jewels. The solar plexus chakra, when balanced, gives you a sense of purpose and confidence. It is connected with intellect, inner wisdom, and digestion.
Each ingredient in Focus 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 effectiveness is not well-known. 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 some people use it 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.
Fennel
Fennel and its seeds contain minerals such as manganese which activates enzymes , helps regulate blood sugar, and supports metabolism; potassium and magnesium for your muscle and nerve functions, and calcium for your bones. It also has polyphenol antioxidants which are potent anti-inflammatory agents, and limonene which helps combat free radicals.
Its magical properties include strength, vitality (physical and sexual), healing, and purification. It is sometimes used in protection spells, and is said to prevent curses.
Rosemary
Rosemary is also high in manganese, and contains carnosic acid, a powerful antioxidant. It has antinociceptive and neuroprotective properties, and clinically has shown effects on learning, anxiety, memory, mood, and sleep.
Metaphysically, it is used for good health, memory improvement, and purification. It may be included in dream pillows to prevent nightmares, and used in love and lust spells; exercise caution and remember always to have consent. It is better to work love spells on your own person to induce self-love than to cast them on unsuspecting objects of affection.
What's in the Box
When you purchase Focus 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
Focus herbal tea is a savoury tea with a sharp, complex scent, inviting concentration and thoughtfulness. 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 citrine or yellow topaz in your bath for a little more solar plexus 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.