When I began creating my Sorrow Organic Herbal Tea Blend, I was crafting it from deep within.
I was in a difficult time in my life and yearning for something to bring comfort and calm to my overloaded nervous system and to soothe the heavy burden of my aching heart.
Sorrow has become a gentle companion for those navigating grief, heartbreak or the quiet ache of longing.
Every herb has been chosen for it's own story, tradition and role in the soft work of tending to the heart.
Let me introduce you to the seven botanicals that make up Sorrow and make it so special.
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Hawthorn is one of the most beloved heart herbs in Western herbalism, not just for the physical heart, but for the emotional one too.
Folklore tells of hawthorn as a sacred tree, associated with protection and the fae, often growing on the edges of the seen and unseen worlds.
In herbal traditions, hawthorn is seen as a guardian of the heart. Its berries, leaves, and flowers are used to strengthen and support heart function, but also to soften emotional wounds.
Many folk herbalists turn to hawthorn when there's heartbreak, grief, or a sense of emotional depletion, it's a herb that sits with you in your sorrow without rushing the process.
Oat Straw (Avena sativa)
Oat straw is like a warm hug for the nervous system. It's the green, milky tops of the same oats you find in your porridge, but when used fresh or gently dried, it carries deep nourishment.
In folk herbalism, oat straw is cherished for its ability to restore what’s been depleted by long-term stress, burnout, or sadness.
It’s a slow, steady friend. Like the kind that brings you a cup of tea and sits beside you in silence when the world feels too loud.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Bright, citrusy, and uplifting, lemon balm has long been associated with the easing of sorrow.
Its botanical name Melissa means “honeybee,” and like bees to nectar, this plant calls to those seeking lightness of heart.
Lemon balm is used traditionally to lift the spirits, calm nervous tension, and bring clarity in times of overwhelm.
Folk herbalists often refer to it as a herb that “gladdens the heart,” and it’s one of my go-to herbs when I need a moment of emotional sunshine.
Linden (Tilia spp.)
Linden blossoms are soft, fragrant, and soothing, and are the very embodiment of comfort. They even bring me comfort as I open their jar and smell their beautiful and unique scent.
In European herbal traditions, linden trees are often planted near homes and churches for their calming presence, and tea made from the blossoms has been sipped for centuries to soothe anxiety and sadness.
Linden wraps around the heart like a balm. It’s often used in grief blends, not to erase sorrow, but to ease the tightness in the chest that so often accompanies it.
Think of it as a beautiful friend humming to you as you rest.
St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
With its bright yellow flowers and long midsummer tradition, St John’s Wort is a herb of sunlight.
Historically gathered on the summer solstice, it’s been used for centuries as a herb of protection, brightness, and emotional clarity.
Folk herbalists often turn to St John’s Wort to support the spirit when shadows feel heavy. It’s a plant that carries light, but not in a forced cheerfulness kind of way, but more a reminder that the sun does return after the longest nights.
"The sun does return after the longest nights."
Rose (Rosa spp.)
The queen of the garden and a long-revered symbol of beauty and love, rose is much more than ornamental. Just opening the jar and feeling her presence hit me reminds me of this.
In herbalism, rose petals are seen as a gentle yet powerful ally for the emotional body.
Rose soothes grief, quiets an aching heart, and brings a sense of softness when the world feels harsh.
Energetically, she helps maintain boundaries while keeping the heart open, which is an important balance when we’re feeling raw or vulnerable.
In this blend, rose adds both a subtle fragrance and an emotional tenderness. You can't miss her beautiful hue either.
Blue Butterfly Pea Flower (Clitoria ternatea)
Though not traditionally part of Western herbalism, butterfly pea flower has become a treasured addition for its magical colour and soothing nature.
Known for its vibrant indigo hue, it’s often used in rituals and teas to symbolize clarity, transformation, and insight.
In this blend, it acts as a visual invitation to slow down. Watching the water turn a deep blue is a ritual in itself. It's a moment to pause, breathe, and connect with the depth of your heart, even in times of deep sorrow.
A Hug in a Cup
Sorrow tea blend isn't meant to erase your feelings, it's meant to honour them. To allow you to sit with what you're feeling with a little comfort.
Every herb has been chosen to play their role as a quiet act of self care, from Hawthorn's strength to Rose's embrace, and to St John's Wort's light in the shadows.
Whether you're deep in grief or simply tending to the tender parts of yourself, may this blend offer you a moment of peace.
A warm cup, a soft exhale, and the quiet knowing that nature always meets us where we are.
Love and support,
AM x
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