Roots of Wellness: The Ancient Wisdom of Bitters, Carminatives, and Spices in Internal Sunshine Loose Leaf Tisane

I created this blend to be more than just a drink—it’s my personal daily ritual for grounding and restoration. Below, I’ve shared the traditional wisdom behind some of my favorite botanicals and a 'Perfect Brew' guide to help you bask in the warmth.

Herbal tisanes have long been cherished for their soothing effects and health benefits. Internal Sunshine Loose Leaf Tisane created by Cooking at the Taylor Treehouse combines a thoughtful blend of organic roots, spices, and botanicals, each with a history of traditional use and unique healing properties. This blend features ingredients traditionally valued for their balance of bitters, carminatives, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties, offering a flavorful way to support digestive comfort and traditional wellness.

This article explores the historical and traditional uses of the botanicals in our tisane blend, based on established herbal literature. It is not intended as medical advice.

A rustic wooden bowl filled with vibrant spices and ingredients, including ginger, turmeric, black peppercorns, spearmint, and orange, creating a colorful and aromatic display reminiscent of traditional herbal medicine.

Bitters and Their Role in Digestion

Bitters are botanicals known for their distinctly bitter taste, a flavor profile that was historically seen as a signal to the digestive system. For centuries, these herbs have been used to prepare the digestive system, gently stimulating essential functions before and after meals.

Bitters were traditionally believed to:

• Awaken Digestion: Stimulate the production of saliva, digestive enzymes, and bile, setting the stage for efficient nutrient breakdown.

• Encourage Movement: Support peristalsis, the natural wavelike motion that moves contents through the gastrointestinal tract.

• Support Liver Function: By encouraging bile production and excretion, bitters were thought to improve the liver’s ability to process waste and aid in detoxification.

  
  

Our Internal Sunshine Tisane thoughtfully incorporates these traditional bitters:

• Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale): Known as a classic liver tonic in Western herbalism, dandelion root has been used to gently support bile flow, which aids both liver function and fat digestion. Its inulin fiber also acts as a prebiotic, helping to nourish beneficial gut bacteria.

• Burdock Root (Arctium lappa):  Burdock root has been used traditionally in Europe and Asia to support liver detoxification and improve digestion. Like dandelion, its bitter compounds encourage bile flow, which aids fat digestion. It also contains the prebiotic, inulin fiber.

• Orange Peel (Citrus sinensis): Beyond its aromatic zest, orange peel has been traditionally recognized for its bitterness, which stimulates digestion. It also provides antioxidant compounds, including Vitamin C, historically valued for immune support.

• Turmeric Root (Curcuma longa): A foundational spice in Ayurveda for thousands of years, is traditionally viewed as a bitter agent that promotes liver detoxification. Historically, it has also been considered to help protect the liver and encourage regeneration after repair. Additionally, it is celebrated for its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities.

Soothing Carminatives: Balancing the Tisane Blend

While bitters prepare and stimulate, carminatives offer balance and comfort. These aromatic, often warming herbs and spices have been traditionally used to soothe the digestive system, making them perfect companions to bitters.

Carminatives were historically used to:

• Improve Digestion: Enhance digestive processes, particularly after meals.

• Dispel Gas: Help to alleviate discomfort from gas and bloating.

• Ease Bloating: Support a feeling of lightness and comfort in the abdomen.

• Balance Bitters: Their warming and aromatic qualities can balance the more intense flavors of bitters.

Our blend features these cherished carminatives:

• Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale): A global staple in traditional medicine, ginger is a warming spice renowned for strongly supporting digestion by easing nausea and bloating. Similar to turmeric, it has historically been regarded as beneficial for protecting the liver and promoting regeneration following repair.

• Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum): This aromatic and warming spice has been traditionally used to stimulate digestion. In various folk traditions, it is also considered a calming and grounding herb.

• Cinnamon Chips (Cinnamomum verum/cassia): Beyond their delightful aroma, cinnamon has been used in traditional practices for its warming, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It is also believed to act as a prebiotic, fostering a healthier gut environment.

• Spearmint (Mentha spicata): Refreshing spearmint has long been valued for soothing digestive discomfort and promoting a calm, happy gut. It also traditionally offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.

• Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus): Offers a gentle, citrusy flavor and supports digestion by reducing gas and bloating. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help support a healthier gut.

Antioxidants Protecting the Body

Understanding Free Radicals: In the process of daily metabolism and exposure to environmental stressors (like pollution or sun), the body produces unstable molecules called free radicals. These molecules can damage cells and tissues and lead to premature aging, chronic inflammation, and even cancer. Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals, and several ingredients in Internal Sunshine provide strong antioxidant support.

• Turmeric, Orange Peel, Cardamom, Cinnamon, and Spearmint: These botanicals are traditionally rich in compounds (like polyphenols and flavonoids) that are recognized as potent antioxidants.

• Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa): Beyond its beautiful color and tart flavor, hibiscus is traditionally loaded with antioxidants, including polyphenols, rutin, anthocyanins, and Vitamin C.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits Found in Every Sip of Tisane

Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection. However, when inflammation becomes chronic (low-grade and persistent), it can stress various body systems. Several herbs in this blend have been valued for their traditional anti-inflammatory effects:

• Turmeric: Is widely studied for its ability to reduce inflammation in the body. It has been traditionally used in herbal medicine to help relieve discomfort and support mobility.

• Black Pepper (Piper nigrum): This spice is often paired with the potent anti-inflammatory turmeric to enhance turmeric's absorption. Black pepper is also recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

• Ginger: Known for its anti-inflammatory effects and warming energy, ginger is often used in traditional practice to help relieve chronic pain due to poor circulation.

• Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Offering a natural sweetness, licorice root is renowned for its traditional use in soothing the digestive lining and reducing inflammation in the gut. Due to its strong flavor and potential effects on blood pressure in some individuals, only a small amount was added to the tisane for its natural sweetness.

• Cinnamon Supports healthy blood flow and traditionally helps to reduce inflammation.

The ingredients in Internal Sunshine Tisane offer a natural way to support digestion, reduce inflammation, and protect the body from oxidative stress. By adding this tisane to your daily regimen, you can savor a tasty, soothing drink that promotes your health from within.

People with specific health conditions or who are pregnant should consult a healthcare provider before adding new herbal teas to their routine.

How to Brew the Perfect Ritual

Internal Sunshine is a hearty root and spice blend. Unlike delicate green teas, its nuanced flavor and wellness properties truly shine with a longer, hotter steep.

• The Golden Ratio: Use 1.5 heaping teaspoons per 8 oz of water.

• The Heat: Use water just off the boil (212°F).

• The Steep: Let it rest for at least 20 minutes. Because this blend is caffeine-free and made of sturdy botanicals, it will never get "bitter" from over-steeping—it only gets richer.

• The Bonus: Don't toss the herbs! You can re-steep the same blend 2–3 more times. Simply increase the steep time for the next round. These lighter infusions are wonderful enjoyed cold for hydration throughout the day.

Batch Brewing:

• French Press (24 oz): 1.5 heaping tablespoons.

• Teapot (32 oz): 2 heaping tablespoons.

Shop our Internal Sunshine Loose Leaf Tisane here!

A glass teapot with a mesh strainer brews a vibrant internal sunshine blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I use to infuse this tisane? Because Internal Sunshine is a loose leaf blend of roots and spices, it needs room to expand to release its full flavor. Recommend:

• A Fine-Mesh Stainless Steel Infuser: Best for single cups.

• A French Press: Ideal for larger batches or if you want a deeper, more robust extraction.

• A Teapot with a Built-in Strainer: Perfect for sharing.

Does it contain caffeine? No. This blend is 100% caffeine-free, making it a perfect ritual for any time of day—from a morning digestive tonic to a grounding evening cup.

Can I sweeten it? Absolutely. While it has a natural sweetness a touch of local honey or maple syrup complements the warming spices beautifully.

Is it safe to drink every day? Yes! This blend is designed as a daily wellness ritual. However, as with all herbal products, if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking specific medications, we always recommend consulting with your healthcare provider first.

References:

Groves, Maria Noël. (2016). Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self- Care. Storey Publishing.

Jones, Lucy. (2023). A Working Herbal Dispensary: Respecting Herbs as Individuals. Aeon Books.