During this month of April, I am celebrating the first anniversary of the launching of my newsletter, A Cup of Tea & Jams! Today, I am returning to a previous reflection from my newsletter titled Freedom in the Quiet.

To Read: https://acupofteaandjams.substack.com/p/freedom-in-the-quiet

Playlist Referenced: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02hYVtOFkX7xobllxA8Sbp?si=LEk8WFLnRmer6O03uPVHYg

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I had no intention to send an offering today and yet here I am. I've learned that when my spirit and creativity decide to move and flow, listen to it. I'm realizing that I was inspired by the power of music today, so shout out to all of the musicians and artists that create beautiful love songs and stories that capture our experiences.

Let me back up.

Today is Friday, February 14th, 2025, known to everyone around the world as Valentine's Day. There are all types of hearts and love and roses and chocolates and conversations about love and all the forms of love. As the day went on, I thought about a particular playlist that I created nearly eight years ago. Now, it is one of my favorite playlists and it's timeless, at least to me. I was inspired by a couple songs that really captured the sweetness of love, the joy of love ,and the romance of a budding relationship. And so that inspired me to create Sweet Like Honey Groove because your girl loves a good groove. I hope you enjoy.

Subscribe to A Cup of Tea & Jams and read the rest of this post to retrieve the Damiana Delights recipe.

A Cup of Tea & Jams is a reader-supported publication and podcast. If this offering blesses you, consider upgrading to a paid subscription or buy me a cup of tea.

On the last new moon of 2024, I thought it would be fitting to share today’s offering, which is about the beautiful and powerful plant motherwort. It’s interesting that this episode is premiering at the start of winter yet the plant itself flourishes during the hot summer months of Leo season.

While there are definitely some folks who know what motherwort is, there are quite a few folks who are not familiar. I was definitely one of the latter. In early spring, I decided to try my hand in growing motherwort, which is very easy to do because it is part of the mint family. As a result, it grows abundantly.

After spending some time with the flowering herb and receiving support during a year that was full of grief and heartache, I decided to bring it forward in my Garden Talk series to lift up how it has bolstered me through this time. I am joined by a wonderful woman and fellow herbalist, Erika Parker-Smith who also has a deep relationship with motherwort and has so much knowledge & wisdom to share.

In our conversation, we talk about how motherwort is supportive for the womb and heart. We also discuss navigating life transitions, cycling through grief, and how a walk with motherwort has led Erika to become a death doula.

To learn more about Erika and her work as an herbalist check her out at Rebelmancy and on IG via @rebelmancy and @the_eccentriccousin.

Other gems shared in this episode:

* Black Grief Practitioners Are Protecting Black Life In Death

* Alua Arthur Ted Talk: Why thinking about death helps you live a better life

* Going With Grace

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A Cup of Tea & Jams is a reader-supported publication and podcast. If this offering blesses you, consider upgrading to a paid subscription or buy me a cup of tea. To receive exclusive posts and support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

In today’s episode, I will be talking about this beautiful plant and I'm not alone. I invited my good friend and fellow herbalist Marasia Simone to discuss all of the great ways that Rosemary is currently impacting our lives. Marasia describes herself as a soul care herbalist, who provides herbal support for the heart & soul. She is the founder of Center Sage Herbal Remedies and creator of A Sage Named Simone, a publication where she shares about her own self love affair & spiritual journey.

In this conversation, we talk about the origins of this body oil, what Rosemary is teaching us in this season, and the journey to reclaim the inner wise and wild one within us. We also shared four songs that embody the energy and lessons that Rosemary brings to each of us. The songs are also embedded below in a short playlist I created. I am deeply grateful for Marasia sitting down and sharing space to talk about this sacred medicine. This soulful conversation left me so full. I hope you enjoy! Let me know in the comments how you partner with Rosemary and if there is a song that reminds you about its energy and power.

To stay in touch with Marasia be sure to subscribe to her publication, a sage named simone and follow her on socials via @asagenamedsimone & @centersageremedies.

Other gems shared in this episode:

* Dirt Gems Plant Oracle Deck

* Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit acupofteaandjams.substack.com/subscribe

A Cup of Tea & Jams is a reader-supported publication and podcast. If this offering blessed you, consider upgrading to a paid subscription or buy me a cup of tea. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming subscriber.

Growing hibiscus is truly a journey. I had the pleasure to chat with my friend Qubilah Huddleston about her journey with the beloved flower for my second installment of my Garden Talk audio series. Qubilah is a fellow herbalist, gardener, and writer. She is founder of The Holistic Agenda and Black Women Get to Be, a place where Black women get to receive actionable advice on how to do more of what feeds their soul.

In this episode, you will hear us refer to hibiscus by its various names. Also, we discuss Qubilah’s call to return back to land, her pursuit in personal wellness and community care, and the ancestral medicine that Hibiscus provides.

Gratitude to Qubilah for saying yes and becoming my very first guest at A Cup of Tea & Jams! Y'all are in for a treat! The transcript is available to read on the web version of the publication in the upper right corner under the title of the article.

To stay in touch with all of the cool things Qubilah is up to, be sure to subscribe to her publication, Black Women Get to Be and follow her on IG @qubilahsays. Also, if you live in the DMV area, she is leading two upcoming herbal workshops! See the flyer below for more information and register via here.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit acupofteaandjams.substack.com/subscribe

Hello Good People! Welcome to A Cup of Tea & Jams podcast. This is an audio companion to my newsletter. Every now and again, I want to chit chat and send a little voice note about life, plants, and good music. Today, I am excited to share the first installment of my Garden Talk series. This is where I bring stories about the different plants I am currently growing this season and all that I am learning about myself and life during the process. This episode is about the beautiful and uplifting Lemon Balm, which has supported & replenished myself over the last couple of weeks.

My musical offering is “Symptom of Life” by WILLOW. In the episode I break down my interpretation of this song and how it feels like my time with lemon balm.

Lastly, as I mentioned at the end of the podcast, there is a wonderful Spiritual Herbalism Conference that is happening the first week of October, 10/5-10/6. This year’s theme is A Healer in Every Home. It will be a powerful time so I hope that folks who are interested, can attend!

Enjoy this episode! There is also a transcript provided to read on the web version of A Cup of Tea & Jams. After you listen, let me know what you think in the comments or send me an email.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit acupofteaandjams.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to A Cup of Tea & Jams podcast. This is an audio companion to my newsletter. Every now and again, I want to chit chat and send a little voice note about life, plants, and good music. In my first episode, I give a quick overview on what to expect in this audio experience and share a bit about how my garden is currently a source of joy in my life. Future episodes I will bring stories about the 10 different plants I am currently growing this season and all that I am learning about myself and life during the process. Of course, there will still be some great music to share and maybe some herbal goodies. Also, here is the link to my Plants Are Portals volume 1 playlist and my first newsletter about the call to spiritual herbalism.

Stay awhile, grab some tea, & jam with me!

Music from Uppbeat.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit acupofteaandjams.substack.com/subscribe