Lesson IV Activity: Tea Meditation
As part of my studies, I was encouraged to spend time meditating with tea brewed from a single herb—an exercise designed to help us experience the plant’s taste, energetics, and active constituents firsthand. For my practice, I chose chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla).
Chamomile was an easy pick. It’s one of the first herbal monographs I’m working on, I keep it stocked in my kitchen, and it’s delightful on its own—no sweeteners or flavor-boosters like ginger or cinnamon required.
I brewed a simple cup (no small feat on a sweltering summer afternoon here in the Deep South) and followed the Herbal Academy’s Lesson IV roadmap for observing and categorizing my experience.
What scents do you smell?
The aroma is delicate, carrying a light note of green apples.
How does it make your sinus passages or other parts of your body feel?
Even chilled, the tea felt a bit strange in the heavy summer heat—warm and swampy against the backdrop of a sticky day. Still, I could imagine it being deeply comforting in winter, the kind of cozy warmth you’d crave when the air turns crisp.
Is it sweet, salty, pungent, etc.? What tastes do you notice?
The flavor is subtly sweet with soft, herbaceous notes, rounded out by hints of apple and pineapple. There’s a faint astringency—so mild it’s almost an afterthought.
Is it warming or cooling? Drying or moistening? Where do you feel it in your body?
Chilled, chamomile feels slightly cooling and gently drying. I noticed the sensations mostly in my sinuses and throat.
Does the plant have a personality that comes through to you? Do you experience it as a male energy or a female energy? Does it feel like a light, happy, laughing child or a somber, wise elder?
Some herbalists, especially those who practice Vitalism, describe plants in human-like terms—wise elders, playful children, nurturing friends. I don’t personally practice Vitalism, but I appreciate the imagery. Based on chamomile’s long-standing reputation for calming the mind and inviting restful sleep, I picture it as a wise grandmother in a cozy cottage, always ready with a soothing cup and a listening ear.
You might ask the plant if it offers any particular support for you.
While I didn’t make a direct “request” of the plant, I hope chamomile will continue to support my ability to rest well—something I think we could all use a bit more of.
