Elul

Juniper | Juniperus

Do you like gin? If you like gin, chances are you like Juniper. Juniper is an extremely aromatic berry that is known for its cleansing powers. Just bite on a berry and notice how it cleanses your palette, your breath and your mind. As we embark on the difficult and transformative journey of self reflection, it is important that we are able to not get caught up or stuck in any one thing. Just like the body needs rest in order to have energy so too does the mind. Juniper is a useful herb in doing just that, cleansing the mind so that it can have energy to continue its work to self reflect and transform.

Mullein | Verbascum thapsus

A favorite lung ally of mine, mullein is a respiratory must have. During the month of Elul, we blow the shofar every morning. Blowing the shofar is the communal Jewish alarm clock to get serious about Teshuvah, repentance. To really cry out to Hashem, our lungs need to have the capacity to do so. Sometimes grief, trauma, depression etc. can block our voices, literally. The anguish and despair can cause our lungs pain and inhibit us from breathing and expressing ourselves freely. Mullein, a very soft and nourishing plant, can sooth the lungs and help us feel the power of our voice and our breath. And of course, blow the shofar!

Ginkgo | Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo is one of the oldest plants native to China. Considered to be somewhat holy, she is a brain tonic. She helps to keep our memories sharp and our brains working. This month, we say that G!d is in the field! The king has come down from his throne and is in the field with us. I am not sure what that does to your brain, but I get a bit flustered and overwhelmed by being in the filed with Hashem!! I loose my composure a bit and get a bit foggy in the brain. Ginkgo is a brain de-fogger. When you forget what you were going to say or where you put something or what someone told you, it is time to consider including Ginkgo into your herbal regime. She will help with brain sharpness and memory!

Gotu Kola | Centella asiatica

According to Ayurvedic medicine, Gotu Kola is an herb of longevity. A member of the parsley family, she is often used to assist folks in meditation. It is said that she helps bring balance to the left and right hemispheres of the brain and is known for her rejuvenating properties (ie helps revive the nervous system). During the month of Elul, we are encouraged to take time to think about those we may have wronged and ask them for forgiveness (easier said than done). Getting to a space where we are ready to seek forgiveness is a process and gotu kola is an herb that can help in getting us in the right head space to make it there.

Lemon Thyme | Thymus citriodorus

Like lemon? Like thyme? You are going to love Lemon Thyme! She is an immune boosting and pleasant tasting herb that contains a host of antioxidants, minerals (lots of calcium) and vitamins (lots of vitamin c). She also is uplifting, especially for the melancholic natured. On the 18th of Elul we celebrate the birth of two Chassidic leaders: Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (father of Chassidism) and Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (father of Chabad). While we navigate our intense emotional world during this month, we must not forget that we are surrounded by folks (and plants!) who love and support us. During times of spiritual work, including uplifting herbs (and people) around us can ease the hard spots and even help us accomplish our holy work!

Menachem Av

This month, Menachem Av (Comforting Father), is a time to sink deep into the pain and suffering side of human existence (at least the first 9 days of the month). That we live in a material world, means that we all will experience  pain in our lives.  In a world where there is pain, there must be comfort. This is the meaning in the name of the month: Menachem Av. Yes, this is a hard month. Yes it is full of tragedy and YES we need to be there for one another. While comfort cannot erase pain, it helps us hold space  for both suffering and joy. It is what gives us the energy to continue to work towards making this world a better place so that we can bring Moshiach! And when Moshiach comes, we will no longer need to be comforted as Hashem will, "Wipe away the tears from every face."

Just this past week, the community I live in experienced a tragic loss. I would like to dedicate this email to the soul of Yonim Eliezer Meir ben Tania Chana v' Yehoshua. He was a true lamplighter and definitely brought us many steps closer to living in a redeemed world. We should all continue to be inspired by his love of G!d and people and work to make this world a brighter place.

The tea for this month is cooling and soothing.
It has: Peppermint, Fennel, Rose and Holy Basil

Peppermint | Mentha × piperita

It’s hot this time of year and peppermint helps us keep cool and keep calm. You know that tradition of eating mint after a meal? Well, it’s because she helps with digestion and calming the stomach. This month, there’s lots for the stomach to roll around about, so peppermint might just be what the doctor ordered. She’s also great for reanimating the spirit - just smelling mint get brighten the eyes, something we most certainly need during this time of year.

What animates your spirit?

Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare

What a yummy tasting herb that is also an incredible digestive aid. In some cultures, you just take a handful of fennel seeds after a meal - both for good breath and also for good digestion. She also works wonders for milk production (you’ll notice that she is part of most lactation tea blends). One of the words we use for Hashem is el shaddai, or breasts. Howe beautiful that one of the names of G!d could be breastfeeder! The golden milk, the nectar of life! This month, when we are at our lowest we shouldn’t forget who is the one providing us with the ultimate milk, G!d.

What gives you milk in your day to day life?

Rose | Rosa

Gentle rose, the queen of flowers. Cooling and and astringent. Romantic and fragrant. The month of Av is not only about destruction, it is also about love. Yup, Jewish Valentines Day is this month. It falls on the full moon, and ee call it Tu B’Av - and it is a day of finding your soulmate in a vineyard dressed in white. Dancing in nature, unmarried men would come and find their wives. Sounds fun, right?

How will you bring more love/passion into your life this month?

Holy Basil | Ocimum tenuiflorum

She is one of the most important herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, and I drink a cup of her almost every day! She is a upreme tonic used to treat colds, flu, ulcers, poor digestion, inflammation, diabetes chronic fatigue, depression, arthritis, respiratory distress, bronchitis, asthma, infections, eczema and psoriasis amongst other conditions. In terms of mental health, she is one of the premier herbs to offer to those who are deeply stressed, overwhelmed, anxious and often shut down, tired and anxious.  She lifts the spirits, calms anxiety, improves resiliency, vitality and raises energy levels.  During a month when there is likely to be an added amount of anxiety, you can’t go wrong with this one.

What do you do when you feel anxious? How do you reground?

Tammuz

 On the 17th of the month of Tammuz, the three weeks begin. This is a time of mourning. Physically, we refrain from doing things that illicit joy, such as listening to music, traveling, buying new clothes etc. It is through this physical process that we may tap into deeper levels of grief. This is one example of how Judaism provides time and space for specific emotions. Of course, it is vital that we allow ourselves to feel whatever we feel regardless of what day of the week it is. Yet, it is also important to acknowledge the impossibility of reconciling  an understanding mind with a bleeding heart. Structure and ritual can help bridge this gap.  As we continue to be engulfed in the time of Covid and the continual fight for equality in the black community, how can we utilize the Jewish construct for mourning?  While our hearts continue to bleed, the Torah provides us with some divine bandages to help us carry on in our minds. I'd like to think that by using the Torah's tools, we become more active, hopeful and willful in transforming our lives and those of others.


The intention of the tea for this month is to cool and moisten us during these hot and dry times. The herbs included are: Nettles, Rosemary, Hawthorn, Marshmallow and Lemon Balm.

Marshmallow | Althaea officinalis

During these hot and dry months, marshmallow is a favorite. She is our quintessential moistening remedy for the mucous membranes of the body used to treat heat and dryness. During the month of Tammuz and the summer in general, we are out and about, engaging with the world, exerting lots of energy. This energy can sometimes lead us astray… We read in Likutei Moharan that, “All speech comes from heat. Someone who has a lot of warmth speaks a great deal, “My heart is hot within me. A fire rages in my utterances, [when] I speak with my tongue” (Psalms 39:4). This is the flame of fire….” While self expression is an incredible blessing, we must be mindful about the words we speak especially when we get swept into the heat of the moment….

What are ways you check your speech? How do you monitor your self?

Hawthorn Berry | Crataegus

Our hearts are cracked open this month. On the 17th of the month five troubling events occured: the tablets were broken, the daily offering was discontinued before the destruction of the first Temple, the walls of Jerusalem were breached before the destruction of the second Temple, wicked Apostomos burned the Torah and set up an idol in the Temple. It is the beginning of the three weeks and a time of communal mourning among the Jewish people. Hawthorn is a heart’s best friend. Medical herbal research has validated this use, finding hawthorn to be effective for increasing the strength of heart contractions, increasing blood flow to the heart, decreasing blood lipids and modulating blood pressure. Additionally, hawthorn is used in the form of an energy medicine for the heart. As a flower essence, she helps open the heart to giving and receiving love, and can help in healing heartache. She encourages self-love and self-acceptance.

What tools do you have to mend a broken heart?

Rosemary | Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary’s health benefits are most often attributed to her high level of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. She is also associated with enhancing memory and recall. She contains salicylic acid, the forerunner of aspirin. This may explain why massaging rosemary oil into joints effectively eases arthritic or rheumatic pain. She also contains antibacterial and antimicrobial agents, and is used by modern herbalists to treat a variety of skin disorders, including dandruff. This month, the spies were sent by Moses to travel through the land of Israel and report back to the people. Upon returning, the spies felt that it would be impossible to conquer the land (there were huge giants residing there). G!d was very upset that despite all of the miracles that these folks had witnessed, they still weren’t convinced that the Divine would lead them to the Promised Land. The Israelites were forced to wander in the desert for another 40 years so that the generation of the Spies would not enter the land. G!d wants us to believe and have faith that anything is possible, even when giants are standing before us. Let Rosemary help us to remember, remember all of the miracles of the desert and all of the miracles of today.

What do you do to stay connected to G!d even when hardships stares you in the face?

Lemon Balm | Melissa Officinalis

Lemon Balm can lift the mood while calming the mind. She is used for digestive problems, especially if due to nervousness. She is used as a hot tea for colds, migraines, insomnia, depression and hypertension especially if associated with stress. Tammuz is a stressful time for the Jewish people. On the sixteenth of Tammuz, we expected Moshe’s return to camp, with the ten commandments in hand. We miscalculated by six hours and when he delayed we assumed the worst. We panicked (most of us atleast). The Egyptian multitudes that accompanied the Israelites quickly regressed to old ways, to the security of graven images, and they convinced many Israelites to follow suit. This lead to the creation of the Golden Calf to replace Moshe as their leader and guide. Stress can lead us to do all sorts of things: shop, drink, pray, exercise and maybe have some lemon balm tea! It is important to move the stress, but G!d forbid it should lead us to do things that go against G!d and against ourselves.

How do you move your stress?

Nettles | Urtica dioica

You can never go wrong with more nettles- hated by those who meander aimlessly through the woods with no awareness to where they are going and loved by all herbalists who know of it’s profound virtues and uses as a food and medicine. She is a diuretic, an alterative, a nutritive tonic, an astringent and inflammation moderating. Nettles is a great remedy for folks who are short tempered.. This month Moshe Rabbeinu, breaks the ten commandment tablets as he is walking down Mt.Sinai and he sees the Israelites dancing around a Golden Calf… He’s angry and destroys the thing that him and G!d had been working on for 40 days. In Judaism, we say that G!d is slow to anger - this is a lesson for all of us. We are created in G!d’s image and like G!d should strive to be slow to anger. Of course, denying anger is never a good thing but perhaps if we sit in our anger long enough, it will transform from mad to sad.

How do you manage your anger? Do you ever find that beneath anger there is sadness?

SIVAN

Milky Oats | Avena sativa

Milky oats is one of the best nerve tonics out there. Over time, she can restore the integrity of a nervous system that is burned out and hyperactive. She is is quite helpful helpful where there is mental and physical exhaustion along with inability to focus, heart palpitations, loss of libido, irritability and potential addiction issues. She is also a wonderful remedy for any case of great grief from loss. We could all use a little of this medicine right now as we have been in isolation for 3 months and may be experiencing all sorts of mental/physical unrest: losses, new anxieties/fears etc. We must continue to take care of ourselves and each other.

What are ways you have been caring for yourself during this difficult time?

Licorice | Glycyrrhiza glabra

Licorice is sweet and moistening. She is soothing and healing for the lungs and the respiratory tract, and she is also restorative for the adrenals and helps the liver to clear excessive cortisol, the primary “stress hormone.” Receiving the Torah can be stressful, especially for folks who are perfectionists. When I try to be perfect, I get exhausted. When I aim to do everything, I end up achieving nothing. Although we are receiving the Torah and all of her wisdom, we are not commanded to be perfect. Yes, we should learn and continue to improve ourselves, but every person has their own rhythm, time and personal relationship with G!d. Licorice provides us with sweetness (physically and mentally) when we are overworked and our drive to be perfect dries us out.

What sweetens up your life?

Tulsi | Ocimum sanctum

Tulsi (holy basil) is known to treat stomach spasms, kidney conditions, promote an increase in blood circulation and aid in the treatment of snake and insect bites. Due to her affinity for the brain and her uplifting and calming properties, holy basil is also frequently used to help alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety. When drank as a tea or taken as a tincture, it leaves you with a sense of calm and peace. Perhaps that is why in the Jewish tradition basil leaves, worn individually or as a small garland, are said to add strength during fasting periods. On Shavuot, we read the Ten Commandments. I don’t know about you but when those 10 are read, I get all existential and nervous. My heart starts to beat a little faster and I begin to wonder about the true meaning of each one. It is at this moment when a nice cup of Tulsi can bring me back to earth, calm me and prepare for me a grounded conversation.

What moments in your life make you feel ungrounded and what do you do to re-ground?

Linden | Tilia americana

As a relaxing nervine, linden has been used to assist folks struggling with insomnia, nervous and muscle tension, anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, digestive issues originating from emotional unrest. Her calming nervine, antispasmodic, and helpful circulatory properties are used to help to ease spasms and cramps that contribute to headaches, tight muscles, and migraines as well as menstrual cramps. As Robin Rose Bennet says, “ Linden opens the emotional and spiritual heart even as it improves cardiovascular circulation… linden has a divinely inspired way of opening you to the bliss of your true multidimensional nature – the larger reality we’re all part of. “ This month is when we go from being individual Jews to a Jewish people. “True faith of the whole people ‎did not commence until the first day of the month of Sivan, when ‎for the first time, the Torah describes the Jewish people as united, ‎i.e. ‎ויחן ישראל ‏‎, “Israel encamped,” (singular mode) as opposed to ‎all previous encampments when the Torah always writes: ‎ויחנו ‏ישראל‎, Israel encamped, (plural mode).”

What opens you up to feel a part of community? What makes you feel expansive?

Iyar

During the month of Iyar there is a practice of counting the Omer. Each night from the second night of Passover until the night before Shavuot, we count. Why is it that G!d has commanded us to count the days in between the Exodus and receiving the Torah? It is more than just about building a relationship with G!d, it is also about growing up so that we are able to hold space for the Torah (a HUGH responsibility). Every time, my daughter Raizel Chaya makes a new noise or moves her body in a different way, I am in awe. Every day she grows so much and yet she is just a baby! The Omer is a chance for us to grow so much and to realize that although we may not be babies in the physical sense, we are most certainly babies in the spiritual sense. We have so much to learn although sometimes there is a block to learning and life continues as if we know all of the answers ahead. During the Omer, I invite us to try to chip at the wall and maybe make a little hole so that by Shavuot, we can let new friends in, new ideas in or a new way of seeing in. The tea for this month is calming and soothing - great for just before bed, for teething babies or for stress and anxiety. It has Catnip, Chamomile and Mint.

Catnip | Nepeta Cataria

Got a teething baby? Catnip is your go to herb. Back in the day parents used to hang a small bag of the herb around colicky infants’ necks so help sooth them. Now it is more common to give it to them in a tea. It has a long history of use as a tranquilizer, sedative, digestive aid, menstruation promoter, and treatment for cramps and flatulence. When adding this fragrant herb to your tea blend, think about your current teething pains and what you can do to manage it. As we count the Omer, we can meditate on our sometimes painful relationship with G!d and ways we have been able to work it out with G!d.

How do you work on your relationship with G!d?

Chamomile | Martricaria Chamomilla

Chamomile is used externally to treat wounds and inflammation and is used internally for fever, digestive upsets, anxiety and insomnia. There are several oils in the plant that have a relaxing effect on the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract, making her an antispasmodic. Of course, when we are working on our relationship with G!d, we can get nervous and for many that means an upset tummy. We know that when we stand before Hashem, we cannot hide. Every single part of us is exposed and that can make us feel uneasy Not only can chamomile help sooth our belly aches, but she can also help reduce anxiety.

What are other ways that you have been able to find peace and calm in moments of extreme vulnerability?

Mint | Mentha Piperita

Peppermint is used externally for itching and inflammations and internally as a digestive aid and treatment for menstrual cramps, motion sickness, morning sickness, colds, cough, flu, congestion, headache, heartburn, fever and insomnia. In the Talmud we read, “As a remedy for heart pain, let him bring three egg-bulks of mint, and an egg-bulk of cumin, and an egg-bulk of sesame seeds, and let him eat them together.” I don’t know about you but one of the many reasons I pray to G!d is to help heal my broken heart - whether it be loss, confusion, angst etc. During the Omer, we go through 7 of the attributes through which G!d is revealed: Loving Kindness, Might, Beauty, Victory, Praise, Foundation and Kingship. As we spend one week in each of these attributes, we have a chance to think about how we relate to each one and how we manifest them in our own lives. I am reminded of the complexity of G!d, relationships and even myself and my heart.

How do you find peace between your many selves?

Nisan

Here we are. It is Nisan 2020, the month when we celebrate Passover and our Exodus from Mitzrayim (Egypt or narrow place), and we are in the midst of our own, personal and global, Mitzrayim waiting for redemption. Again and again, we witness how the Torah is not a document of the past, it’s eternal and divine, and it can help us move from constriction to expansion- no matter the decade/century. The Torah is a constant reminder of how much light there is despite our fears and how much hope there is despite our despair.

This Nisan, I invite us to consider how we can be active participants in a global exodus from this virus. Instead of complaining, let’s do small acts of kindness. Instead of hording, let’s share. We are all in mitzrayim and yet some of us have more to offer than others - be it money, time, health etc. How can we use all of our resources to make sure that as many people as possible come out of this with us?

The tea for this month, crafted with my friend and herbalist Lauren Samuels, has parsley, nettles, lemon balm, turmeric and licorice. It is a nourishing and uplifting Spring time blend (in fact you can even make this blend with all fresh herbs). 

Parsley | Petroselinum crispum

“Parsley has minerals galore, including a good supply of iron. It’s high in folic acid, which helps relieve stress by strengthening the nervous system. Parsley is well known for strengthening the functioning of the kidneys (Robin Rose Bennett).”  As a medicine, parsley herb is best known for its effects on the urinary system. Parsley leaves and roots are used as a diuretic and have been used for a variety of ailments in which increased urination is beneficial, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, cystitis, edema and, historically, it was used for gonorrhea. It has become customary during the Karpas portion of the seder for the Jewish People to dip Parsley in salt water. “For the first dipping, which is called karpas, many people follow the custom of using parsley (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 118:2).” Though we are not dipping the parsley in salt water for medicinal purpose, it is no coincidence that we use a green herb, symbolic of spring time, fertility and vitality (in Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are associated with fertility and vitality). We are reminding ourselves that this Spring is here, freedom is here, we are here!

What things around you remind you of Spring?

Lemon Balm | Melissa officinalis

“From here on, the months belong to you to do with them as you wish. But during the days of slavery, your days were not your own but rather were for the work of others according to their will. Therefore this [Nisan - the month of your freedom going out of Egypt] will be the first of the months of the year for you (Sforno on Exodus 12:2:1). “ Nisan is the month where we got our freedom. Lemon Balm, a gentle nervine, helps to calm and rejuvenate the nervous system. She can help ease anxiety, relieve headaches and even be useful for folks suffering from heart palpations. She’s great for a nervous tummy and is a great anti-viral ally. Even though we got our freedom this month, we were very scared - so scared that we asked Moses if we could go back (more than once)! Lemon balm is an herb that can help us ease those nerves when we are in a big unknown.

How do you calm yourself when you take a risk and do not know what waits for you on the other side?

Nettles | Urtica dioica

Nettles! A mineral rich power herb that tastes delicious in anything and everything (lots of iron). Though she is prickly, she is one of the most beautiful and healing of all plants out there. Used as a nutritive tonic, she can grow almost anywhere and is a good herb to take on the regular. She is associated with the war god, Mars and grows when winter snow melts, usually in the month of March ( just about now). If there was one plant to take with us into our journey in the desert, I think it should be nettles. Known as an herb that protects as well as a fertility ally, you can’t go wrong having her in your traveling apothecary.

What is a food/herb/practice that you do on the regular to help you stay healthy?

Licorice | Glycyrrhiza glabra

The sense of this month is speech. Licorice is known for its moistening affect on mucous membranes and she is an incredible ally for the lungs. You will see her in many lung blends (be it a tea, a syrup or a tincture). Not only does she help literally with lungs and our voice, but spiritually speaking, the licorice plant is associated with the planet Mercury. Herbs under Mercury are largely responsible for communication and movement of thought. As we sit at our seders and tell the story of our Exodus from Egypt, everyone’s story will be different as we all experience life differently. Let licorice help in cultivating healthy lungs and clear communication.

What do you find helpful in improving your communication skills?

Turmeric | Curcuma longa

The most well known use of Turmeric is as an anti-inflammatory. It is used most especially to treat heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, cancer, depression and chronic age-related diseases caused by inflammation. The plague of boils, one of the ten, is also referred to as the plague of inflammation. “And the Word of the Lord sent forth a burning sore and inflammation of the flesh upon the land of Mizraim (Exodus 2:5).” There is a saying in Judaism that the cure is created before the disease. I’d like to think that before G!d brought down each plague, G!d also brought down a cure. Even though there was destruction and chaos, beauty and remedies were also being formed. And while Egypt did not benefit from those remedies, we can and we must. Whatever mitzrayim that you, your friend or the world may be in, the cure is there. It may be that it is not our time to benefit from it, but we can do our best to research and find it so that others may.

What have you found to be helpful to you in times of difficulty?

Adar

The first thing that comes to mind in Adar is joy. We are taught that in Adar, one increases in rejoicing (Taanit 29a:18) and yet we do not recite the ultimate prayer of praise, Hallel. What is the reason for this? Perhaps it is because even though the Jewish people were saved and even though they were allowed to fight back, they were still under the control of a non-Jewish King (Megillah 14a). Despite the win, thanks to Esther, we still need to remember the big picture. While kindness and justice defeated hate and bigotry in that one particular episode, there was still much work to be done and there still is.

The tea for this monthwas created with herbalist, Lauren Samuels and has Cleavers, Calendula, Reishi, Elderberry, Burdock and Albizzia all infused in Cacao! It is an immune elixir and pick me up.

Cleavers | Galium aparine

Do you get irritated by the little things? If yes, this plant is for you and what better time to take it than in the month of Adar (when we are supposed to increase in joy)! According to Herbalists David Hoffman and Matthew Wood, Cleavers is a great herb tonic for the lymphatic system, cleansing our bodies of harmful toxins. During Adar, one of the Torah Portions (Parah) that we read is about the red hefir and describes in detail the purification practices in our temple. Using cleavers is a way to cleanse your own temple, your body.

What are ways you care for and cleanse your body?

Calendula | Calendula officinalis

Calendula has been used both internally and topically to heal wounds, burns, and rashes. The sunshiny flowers (all over the west coast right now) are a traditional remedy for supporting the immune system and lifting the spirits. The Talmud tells us that Esther was actually of a greenish complexion, but that she had a “thread of grace” that was upon her (Talmud Megillah, 13a, 15a).  This thread of grace caused her to win favor in the eyes of the King (as well as others) and is what led to her ability to save the Jewish people! It is said that she had no need for oils or ointments because her skin was perfect. However, had she needed anything for her skin… calendula would do her wonders as she helps with dryness and gives you that little extra glow.

What in life gives you that extra glow?

Reishi | Ganoderma lucidum

Reishi is known as a “mushroom of immortality” and is one of the most researched herbs in the world.  She is an effective immune modulator, nervine tonic, and hormone balancing herb that can bring harmony to the body-mind and spirit. This month, the most important leader of the Jewish people is born and dies. Moshe, born on the 6th of Adar dies 120 years later on the 7th of Adar. And though G!d tells Moshe that, “This people will thereupon go astray after the alien gods in their midst… they will forsake Me and break My covenant that I made with them (Deuteronomy 31:16) …” Moshe’s Torah still lives on. Though things have transformed with the times, Moshe’s legacy and the Torah he received is still very much alive. That is true immortality…

What in your life feels immortal? What traditions link you to the past and to the future?

Elderberry | Sambucus

Elderberry is most commonly thought of and utilized as a flu remedy, as it directly inhibits the influenza virus’s action. She contains high levels of vitamins C, B-complex, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. She has a strong antiviral effect and immunomodulating properties, which makes her great for the common cold. Elderberry is also known as a fruit of opposites (which is what this month is all about). It has the potential to be (energetically) both healing and harmful.  In the month of Adar evil is turned on its head! We are encouraged to drink wine until the world is turned on its head and we no longer know the difference between cursed is Haman and blessed is Mordechai. Just like elderberry, it’s a month of opposites!

What in your life seemed to be one way and then later turned into something entirely different?

Burdock | Arctium lappa

Burdock is a great ally for the digestive system. She is rich in inulin, a pre-biotic that feeds our gut bacteria and supports a healthy gut microbiome. Inulin also helps our bodies regulate blood sugar levels. Burdock is also a mild bitter, stimulating digestive secretions to help improve appetite, digestion, and absorption of fats. In Adar we read the Torah Portion called Zachor. Zachor means to remember, and the Torah commands us to "remember what Amalek did to you on your way out of Egypt" (Deut. 25:17). The Sages explain that the definition of remembering is to speak the matter aloud at least once a year. New studies show that our gut microbiome not only helps us digest food but also impacts our brains and our memory. More on that here. We have got to take care of our gut in order to take care of our minds.

What practices do you have to maintain a healthy microbiome?

Albizzia | Albizia julibrissin

Known as the happiness plant, albizzia is our go to joy herb for the month of Adar. In fact, she is native to Persia, the place where our Purim story takes place. Known by some as herbal prozac, she is used as a sedative and a mood enhancer (going all the way back to the 2nd century). Chinese people traditionally recommend her use for anyone who is suffering from grief as a result of a severe loss. During Adar, we are commanded to increase in joy (easier said than done). Rather than see joy as something that comes as a result of good things happening, we are encouraged to see joy as a way of being.

How can we cultivate more joy internally instead of focusing on external things that we think will make us happy?

Shevat

When I think about the month of Shevat, the first thing that comes to mind is water. Not only is the zodiac the water bearer (Aquarius), but also the Torah Portions that we read during this month have lots to say about water (splitting of water, begging for water, bitter water, Miriam and water, water coming out of a rock etc.). In the Jewish tradition, water is connected to Torah. Just as we cannot physically live without water, spiritually we cannot live without the Torah.

This month, we think about what gives us strength, courage and resilience. The mineral rich tea that my friend Lauren Samuels and I have created is meant to calm our anxiety and invigorate us. It has Nettles, Oatstraw, Horsetail, Fennel and Hawthorn Berry. 

Nettles

Nettles,rich in iron, silica and potassium,nourish our blood. Externally she is hot and dry, but internally she is cooling and moistening. Unfortunately, Nettles get a bad rap in Judaism. They are used to describe places that are chaotic and destructive. And you know what, if nettles are not treated correctly, she can do just that! This month, we celebrate all plant life (Tu B’Shevat- the. new year for trees). It is an opportunity for us to get to know plants that may appear one way on the surface but reveal an oasis of healing deep down.

Is there a place in your life that deserves more attention to uncover its beauty?

Oatstraw

Oatstraw feeds the Nervous System. She calms anxiety and brings back our life force when it gets depleted. She is used for depression, insomnia and stress and also helps us break additions. This month we read the Parshas that tell the story of our Exodus from Egypt, which was not easy. The Jewish people were addicted to living in a slave like mentality. Thank G!d for Oatstraw. She helps us to let go of our destructive patterns and rebuild our strength! 

What destructive patterns are holding you back from moving forward?

Horsetail 

An herb of Saturn, Horsetail builds up minerals to strengthen our bones! She nourishes our blood by adding silica and calcium to it, aiding movement and circulation. She also strengthens hair, skin and nails. She grows straight up and looks like a staff which connects nicely to this month. The word שבט, Sh'vaht, is related to the Hebrew word for tribe, שבט shay'vet, which also translates to scepter, a classic Jewish symbol of leadership.

What gives you a sense of confidence?

Fennel

A favorite of the Rambam, Fennel works wonders for our digestive system.  She is an antispasmodic, expels mucus and gas and increases lactation. She moistens our organ of the month, the esophagus, allowing for smooth and easy digestion. What better way to give our digestive tract some loving than by including a sprinkle of lady fennel into our tea blend!  The word for Egypt in Hebrew is Mitzrayim, which literally translates to a narrow place. The esophagus is that very narrow place that eventually leads to the stomach. Without moisture, our food struggles to reach our stomach. Similarly without feeling supported, loved, cared for etc, it can be hard to move from a narrow place into a wider one. Our psyches/minds/spirits need just as much moistening as our esophagus. And once it is nice and soft, we can go and go and go.

What are ways you can moisten your psyche so that you can move from a narrow place to a wider one?

Hawthorne Berry 

Hawthorn is a heart centered circulatory tonic that regulates blood pressure and cholesterol. The letter of this month is the Tzaddi, also known as the Tzaddik, which translates to a human being who emulates G!d’s righteousness. In Psalms (92:13) we read, "A righteous man will flourish like a date palm...in the courtyards of our G-d they will flourish." Here is the connection between our letter of the month and the holiday of the month, the New Year of Trees. Why do we see this connection between the tzaddik and the tree? Well, in actuality the tzaddik is more like an upside-down tree! As a tree has roots in the earth, they have roots in the heavens (psalm 92:13).

Name one time this month when you acted from a place of holiness. How did it feel?

Tevet

As we enter the month of Tevet, we find ourselves in the middle of the darkest and coldest time of year. During the first few days, we celebrate the end of Hanukkah, a reminder that even in darkness there is light. Physically we may be more inclined to bundle up and stay at home, isolating ourselves waiting for the spring to come. Or perhaps we find ourselves cuddling with our loved ones, relishing in the warmth of community. This tea for Tevet, is designed to warm us, uplift us and move us. It's got cinnamon, orange peel, st. johns wort, milk thistle and dandelion root! The base is rooibos. I suggest having this tea with a dollop of milk or milk alternative and a bit of honey as it will bring out all of the other flavors!

St Johns Wort | Hypericum perforatum

We read, “Women are obligated regarding the Channukah light, for even they were part of that miracle (Shabbat 23 a:2).” What does it mean that even they were part of that miracle? According to some, it means that there was a Jewish heroine who helped facilitate the miracle - in this case Judith, a Jewish power house of a woman, who kills Holofernes, a Roman general who threatened to take over her city. Because of her bravery, there are some communities that celebrate a festival of the daughters, a time to honor Judith and all other heroines on the first of Tevet. St Johns Wort, our first herb in the Tevet Tea, is used for fear, depression, anxiety etc. When we feel like we don’t have the power to make a difference or even get out of bed, she is an ally. She, like Judith, rises up and fearlessly does what needs to be done.

How does fear impact going after your dreams and what are ways that you manage it?

Milk Thistle | Silybum marianum

According to the Sefer Yetzirah, the sense of this month is anger. “One who rends his garments in his anger or who breaks his vessels in his anger, or who scatters his money in his anger, should be like an idol worshipper in your eyes, as that is the craft of the evil inclination (Shabbat 105:b). ”In the Jewish tradition, anger is considered to be the source of idol worship. Why? Because in the heat of anger, we may do/say things that keep us from seeing the oneness of creation. Does that mean we should just bury our anger and pretend it does not exist? No! Definitely Not! Every feeling has a purpose, even anger. The real work is to learn how to understand, manage and transform our anger. As Rabbi Kook has said, “We have been taught that all qualities that G!d has engraved in the human’s nature and soul, not one of them is absolutely evil…it’s needed to use each one in the right time and measure.” Milk thistle is an herb commonly used for liver health. She is used to treat cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders. The liver in both Chinese Medicine and Jewish thought is associated with the feeling of anger which is why by caring for our liver we can help manage our anger.

What tools do you use to help process your anger?

Orange Peel | Citrus sinensis

“Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, in his royal palace, in the 10th month, which is the month of Tebeth (Tevet)…(Esther 2:16).” Why in Tevet? According to Rashi it is because Tevet is, “the cold season, when one body enjoys (the warmth of) another body.” By coming before the King during the season when we’ve got cuddle fever, her chances of winning him over were greater. And she did. What else happened on the 10th of the month? The walls of Jerusalem were breached which led to the destruction of the first and second temple. In winter we can tend towards isolation, anger and self destruction or seek community and warm embraces. Orange peel helps build and move energy in the body. She is perceived to have a pungent, bitter flavor and a warm property that helps keep things moving during a cold and stagnant season. The challenge for us is harnessing that movement for the good. Will we be like Esther, taking advantage of the season to win over the heart of a King? Or will the desolation of the season cause our walls to be breached, leaving us to be vulnerable to negativity?

Cinnamon | Cinnamomum verum

Rosh Chodesh Tevet begins on the 6th day of Hanukkah and falls right around the time of the winter solstice. Just when Adam thought the days would continue to get shorter and shorter, until there was nothing but darkness, they started to get longer. “Once he saw that the season of Tevet ie. the winter solstice had arrived, and saw that the day was progressively lengthening, he said: Clearly the days become shorter then longer, and this is the order of the world. He went an observed a festival for eight days…He, Adam, established these festivals for the sake of Heaven… (Avodah Zara 8a:8).” Cinnamon is pungent and warming and is a remedy for cold conditions: cramping, bloating, nausea etc. She tonifies but also gets things moving! Do you ever feel stuck or stagnant, like things just aren’t flowing right? Imagine how Adam must have felt when he observed the days getting shorter and shorter or how the Jewish people must have felt when the walls of Jerusalem were breached on the 10th of Tevet or how we feel when we read the last Torah Portion of the month recounting our slavery in Egypt. Trapped perhaps? Cinnamon keeps us strong while also moving us - she is our fire when it gets cold and our fuel when we are depleted.

What fuels you? How do you keep moving when the walls seem to be caving in?

Dandelion root | Taraxacum

The letter for the month of Tevet is ע (Ayin) which means eye. We read in Tehillim, “The mitzvah of Hashem is clear, enlightening the eyes.” When we talk about enlightening the eyes, we are not referring to literal sight rather we are referring to perception: How do we perceive the world? Our sages say that we have two eyes (flesh and blood) that record physical images and a third eye which takes what our physical eyes see and internalizes them with thought. The Ayin is the third eye. What is the relationship between the third eye and Hanukkah? Light. Just as the Hanukkah candles bring light to the darkness, so too must our third eye. We can choose to see the world through a lens of darkness or through a lens of light (Torah). Yalkut Shimoni teaches, “Rabbi Shimon Ben Elazar says: There is no part of the body that is beloved as the eye.” The way we see impacts how we see others, how we see ourselves and how we see G!d. Dandelion root, is another liver herb. According to Chinese Medicine, the liver is connected to the eyes and our visual ability relies mainly on the nourishment of liver blood. She is rich in vitamin A (dandelion leaves contain more vitamin A than carrots!), vitamin C, iron and calcium. They said carrots were good for your eyes…. dandelion root is your go to eye medicine.

How do you exercise your third eye to see the world in a positive light?

Kislev

As we enter the darkest time of the year, we are reminded to create light. Kislev, which translates to pocket of the heart, is a time for us to tap into our inner light through our dreams and the light that connects us to G!d through the lighting of Hanukkah Candles. It says in the Talmud, "The Mitzvah of Hannukah is a single candle for each person and their household." This passage reminds us that every single person is a lamplighter. We all have something to contribute to this world and on Hannukah we participate in lighting our own light and witnessing the light of others. The herbs included are Chamomile, Lavender, Sage and Mint. This aromatic tea is great to drink after dinner.

Chamomile| Matricaria Chamomilla

Calming for the stomach, the organ for the month of Kislev, Chamomile is a gentle friend that works on the Immune, Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Digestive systems. For more on these benefits, click here. During the month of Kislev, we seek to find light in the darkest time of year (the winter solstice always falls in Kislev). We must train ourselves to appreciate even the smallest amount of light. Maybe it’s your evening hot chocolate or a phone call to a far away friend or swimming laps once a week - we must seek out and savor those moments of light. We read in Proverbs 13:25, “ The righteous one eats to the satiety of his soul, but the stomach of the wicked is always lacking.” This winter, rather than focus our energy on that which we don’t have, let’s be grateful for that which we do have and who knows how it will expand. On Hannukah, we celebrate the miracle of a drop of oil lasting not one or two days but eight days. May we learn from that miracle how to take those drops of joy we all experience and water them so that they may GROW!

What in your life seems small but has the potential to grow? How can you grow it?

Sage | Salvia officinalis

Cleansing and refreshing, Sage helps us get rid of the Klippot/Distractions/Mind Mush around us and connect us to our truest essence. She has pungent volatile oils that stimulate the fire of the body (digestive and mental function), something we really need to cultivate during the coldest time of the year. By increasing circulation to the brain, she assists poor vision, mental fatigue and brain fog. Often you will see sage sticks that people use to cleanse a space of negative energy or to cleanse themselves of harmful energy. Whether you drink this in a tea, add some to an herb pillow that you can sniff before bed or make into a stick, her powers of clearing and renewing are palpable. There is an old Jewish tradition of crying as much as you can before going to bed to cleanse your heart and soul so that the dreams we receive are as pure as possible (after all dreams are 1/60th prophecy). Combine that with some sage and the Bedtime Shema and you’ve got yourself a pretty rad evening dream ritual.

What are other ways you cleanse yourself before bed so that you are read to receive whatever the Divine has to offer?

Lavender | Lavandula

One of my absolute favorite herbs, and one of the friendliest, lavender grows everywhere! Well almost everywhere. She likes dry and well drained soils that have full sunshine! She works on the lungs, skin, nerves and digestion. For more on these benefits, click here. The name lavender comes from the latin, to wash, or bathe and in fact one of its most common uses is to clean linen (not only because of its great smell but also because of its antiseptic qualities). You can add a little of her to your cleaning products, your deodorant or your shampoo. She is often used to help folks with anxiety (even Maimonides included her in his herbal blends). The letter of the month, samech ס, means to support. Winter can be a time of increased isolation and anxiety. It is the most yin time (dark, cold, slow, inward) of the year and is an ideal time to reach out to our support systems. The rainbow, the Zodiac of the month, is a reminder of the promise that G!d made to never destroy the world again by flood. “And I will confirm (through the sign of the rainbow) my covenant with you, and no flesh will again be cut off by the waters…and there will not again be a deluge to destroy the earth. (Genesis 9:11).” It’s G!d’s symbol of support and way of reaching out to us humans. May we be blessed to feel G!d’s support this month.

Are you able to ask for help when you need it? Who/What/Where can you count on getting support during the darkest time of the year?

Peppermint | Mentha

Mint is a heart ally and this month Kislev, translates to pocket of the heart. During a time when we are super cold/vulnerable/isolated, mint protects the heart. In the talmud we learn, “ As a remedy for heart pain let him bring three egg bulks of mint …(Gittin 69 b:6).” The tribe for the month of Kislev is Benjamin. When Jacob, Benjamin’s father, blessed him before his passing, he likened him to a wolf, symbolizing Benjamin’s craving for God. In the body, the kidneys are identified as the source of craving. One of the meanings of the name Kislev is kidneys and in Chinese Medicine winter is a time to care for our kidneys. Our lady peppermint is a great kidney tonic (in the form of tea). She helps reduce the risk of kidney disease by ensuring that the filtering devices, called nephrons, work efficiently to remove waste and water. By removing physical waste, we may also be removing emotional waste, as body and mind are intertwined.

What emotional or physical waste are you eager to clean this winter? Are their tools you have to get it squeaky clean?

Cheshvan

Art by Nechama Shaina

Cheshvan begins on Monday night October 28th. After the craziness of the high holidays, we suddenly enter the stillness of Cheshvan. The days get shorter and cooler, and we begin to spend more times indoors. The trees lose their leaves, the wind has a crispness to it and all of a sudden, we may be overcome by feelings of nostalgia and longing. The tea for this month will help us embody the stillness, nourishment and letting go of this time.

 Chaga ~ Inonotus Obliquus

In Autumn we eat mushrooms to strengthen our immune system. Chaga is a dark mushroom used for all types of infectious diseases and is particularly helpful for digestion. In both Chinese Medicine and Judaism, Autumn is the time of the Large Intestine. According to Chinese Medicine, the emotions connected to this time, and to the large intestine, have to do with letting go and moving forward. In the Jewish tradition, we read the Torah portion of Lech Lecha this month. In this Parsha, our patriarch Abraham demonstrates the ultimate form of moving forward: leaving his known world for the great unknown. In order to have the strength to leave what is familiar, we need to be physically and mentally healthy and strong. Chaga helps us build our physical strength and immunity during a time when we are vulnerable to getting sick. 

How are you finding time to take care of your physical body during this time?

Black Cohosh ~ Cimicifuga Racemosa

 Black Cohosh is a dark, gnarled, root that that can be helpful when leaping between states of being. Often used for childbirth and menopause, she moves what does not desire to be moved. She is also helpful for those in abusive relationships or patterns of addiction. In the Jewish tradition, the great flood begins this month, and we read the Torah portion about Noah and the flood. Noah is commanded by G!d to build an ark (תבה) because it will rain for 40 days, destroying the earth. He enters the ark on the 17thof Cheshvan.This month, we too enter our own little arks, a place that can be lonely, scary and dark. We witness the death and decay of nature, grieve the loss of summer and turn inwards. Rather than jump to the next thing, we sit in the unknown. Whether it be a simcha or a loss, stopping to process is a fundamental part of Judaism. It is something we do every week when we celebrate Shabbat. Black Cohosh, Autumn, Noah’s Ark etc. are all allies in the divine cycle of grief, stillness and celebration. 

What practices do you use to find stillness in a busy world?

 Yarrow ~ Alchillea Millefolium

 Yarrow tastes bitter and pungent an appropriate flavor for the month of Cheshvan also known as Bitter (Mar) Cheshvan, as it is a month with no holidays. Historically she has been used to treat wounds and nowadays is used for stomach cramping, internal and external bleeding, and fevers and digestion. The sense of the month of Cheshvan is smell. According to the Jewish tradition, the redeemer aka Mashiach will arrive this month. Our Sages teach us that one of the names of Mashiach is Yinon (“shall rule”). Yinon is a cognate to nun, the hebrew letter of the month. We read in Tehillim, “May the name (Yinon) endure forever, as long as the sun.” It is said that this redeemer will not judge through sight or hearing but through smell. Why smell? It is our purest sense because it did not take part in the sin in the garden of Eden (Adam and Eve eating from the tree of knowledge). Modern science also differentiates smell from our other senses noting its intricate connection to memory. We use smell to find our partners (pheromones are real), feel comforted (smells like home) and even detect fear and disgust. Smell is our guide. Yarrow works similarly. A guiding plant, she is an ally to the wounded warrior. She helps heal and orient us on our path. When we feel disoriented and are unable to smell the good from the bad, Yarrow is our friend. 

What tools do you use to keep focused on your dreams?  

 Shatavari ~ Asparagus Racemosus

 Shatavari is an Ayurvedic yin tonic that nourishes the reproductive system, which is ruled by Scorpio, the zodiac of Cheshvan. She supports women’s hormonal systems and is an aphrodisiac. This month, we commemorate the death of Rachel who died giving birth to her son Benjamin. Rachel was one of the many women in our tradition who struggled to conceive. Those who have no children pray to her so that she may intercede on their behalf. In Judaism, G!d holds three keys: the key to the womb, grave and rains (Taanit 2a). It is no coincidence that in the same month we mourn Rachel, Jews in the land of Israel begin to pray for rain, as rain is what allows our earthly seeds to grow. However, prayer does not exist in a vacuum. As we read in the Talmud, “We do not depend on miracles.” Prayer must be accompanied by practical wisdom. Shatavari is just one of many herbs who have assisted women struggling with infertility and all sorts of reproductive struggles. 

May we remember that in all aspects of our lives, there is a balance between faith and action... Where could you use more faith? or more action? 

 Saffron ~ Crocus Sativus

Saffron represents the unification of opposites. She is our tea unifier. Pluto, one of the two planets that rules this time, is known to harmonize what seems at first glance to be dissonant. Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, whose yahrzeit is on the 16thof this month, would not call Cheshvan mar (bitter). He would look at the word mar backwards – and call this month ram Cheshvan, the Great Cheshvan! Why would he call it a great month? After all, it has no holidays and comes at a gloomy time of year. The idea is that we take all of the energy from the high holidays in Tishrei and bring it with us to Cheshvan so that we can generate a connection to G!d even during darker days.  According to the Talmud, she was among the spices used in the Ketoret, incense offering, offered in the Temple in Jerusalem. Today she is used to regulate the cardiovascular system and help lift depression, clear asthma and coughs, and reduce fevers. During a season where the days are getting darker and colder, she is the sunlight in our cup. 

How do you bring sunlight to cloudy days?

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Tishrei

The Body Part for the month of Tishrei is the Gallbladder. In the Talmud we read, "The liver becomes angry; the gallbladder emits fluids (bile) to pacify that anger (Berakhot 61b)." What is this trying to teach us? For one, it shows us that for every disease/imbalance that exists, there also exists a cure/something to bring it back into balance. It also reminds us that there is a harmony that we can create in our bodies and in our minds when the different parts of ourselves (different organs and emotions) work together. How often does one emotion dominate our psyche or does one part of our body give us pain? When this happens we tend to hyper-focus on fixing that specific emotion or working on that particular organ without taking a step back to look towards how our other emotions or organs may be impacting this particular imbalance. In the Chinese System, the body contains a set amount of energy. If there is a lack somewhere, there is an excess somewhere else and vice versa. In Shaarei Kedusha, a Kabbalistic text written by Hayyim Vital we read, " The body of man was formed from the four elements...that have both good and evil included in them. These are fire, air water and earth...for the body to be healthy, these humors must be balanced. However, if there is an imbalance, and any one of them overpowers the positive characteristics of the others with its negative characteristics, this results in illness and disease..." As we get ready to reflect on our character and aspects of it we hope to improve, remember that sometimes the cure is not in tirelessly working to fix that organ or emotion, rather there may be another part of us that is able to be uplifted in order to heal the issue. 

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Art by Nechama Shaina