Let’s be clear: I didn’t stop drinking coffee because I wanted to.
I stopped because I had to.
I spent about 25 years of my life not drinking coffee. Through writing papers all night, waking up early, and powered through it all on sheer will.
For the next years of me drinking it, I could not understand why or how it gave anyone energy. Coffee made me sleepy.
Until one day, it worked.
Suddenly, I could do more. It felt like a limitless pill.
And I thought, ah, I get it now.
But then it shifted again. The kind of shift where your eyelid won’t stop twitching and your heart feels like it’s pacing in a too-small room. Where you’re simultaneously starving and nauseous.
It wasn’t sustainable. Adrenaline fatigue kicked in. If you’ve read my espresso mishaps posts, you know I have coffee seasons. A few months ago year where I drink double espressos, followed by the inevitable return to reason.. My coffee season ended a few months ago.
I’ve been drinking tea. Chai tea but also this.
This blend is what I drink on the mornings when I want the comfort of a ritual and the ability to feel like a person afterward.
It’s not a coffee dupe. It doesn’t need to be.
It’s a quiet sort of energy. One that feeds instead of drains.
Gunpowder Green
Yes, it has caffeine. This thing can keep me up for hours.
But not in a slap in the face kind of way. It feels like slow release and no crash.
Gunpowder green is rolled tight to preserve the antioxidant content. That means less bitterness and a more stable release. I still get focus, but it’s the kind that makes space in the brain, not the kind that makes you reorganize your entire spice rack at 2 a.m.
Nettle
One of my personal favorite.
While coffee leaches minerals and burns through your reserves, nettle quietly puts them back. It supports energy, iron, and nourishment. It’s not stimulating. It’s fortifying.
Ginger
Not everyone needs gentleness. Sometimes we need warmth. Fire. Movement.
Ginger brings heat to cold mornings, encourages circulation, and wakes up the digestion in a way that feels clean, not jittery. It’s not subtle. It’s like a vigorous tissue massage.
How to make it
Steep gunpowder green for 20 minutes in hot (not boiling) water.
Add:
Nettle infusion from the previous video
a few slices of fresh ginger or a pinch of dried.
Steep. Strain and sip warm or chill.
This isn’t a fix-all. It’s a small reset. A way to choose something gentler that still gives a lot of energy.
I’m not saying you need to quit coffee forever.
But if you listen to yourself and coffee stops feeling good, come back to this.
And if you want to start your herbal journey without quitting halfway through, don’t forget that The Shit No One Tells You About Tea is available now.
It’s for the people
who feel like they’re always halfway through starting.
Who keep buying herbs but never know how to use them.
Who think they’re behind because their jars don’t match.
You’re not behind. You’re just missing the kind of guide that meets you where you already are.
Order to start where you are, and get a free herb & tea tracker (message me to let me know)!
Order here.
Dosage and Safety Considerations
The information provided in this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Herbal practices and uses discussed are not a substitute for professional healthcare.
While herbs are natural, they are also bioactive substances, and proper dosage, preparation, and use are important. Always follow reputable dosing guidelines for each herb and consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, have known allergies, or have existing medical conditions.
Anyone experiencing severe symptoms or managing chronic health issues should seek professional guidance before using herbs.
Individual responses to herbs may vary, and no outcomes are guaranteed. The author makes no claims regarding the effectiveness, safety, or suitability of any herb for any particular person.
Readers assume all responsibility for their personal health decisions based on the information presented. The author disclaims all liability for any loss, injury, or damage allegedly arising from the use or application of the information in this newsletter.
Camille Charles is the voice behind The Minimalist Herbalist. Herbal researcher. Best-selling author. Professional over-doer of tinctures. Consumer advocate. Currently earning a doctorate in curriculum design, on a mission to make herbal education less confusing and more honest.
She believes learning about herbs should feel empowering, not overwhelming. You’ll find her distilling rose water in an Instant Pot, repurposing olive jars for cacao butter, and making overnight nettle infusions like it’s a sacred ritual. She talks way too much about womb health, nettle, and why your juicer is probably lying to you.
If there’s an herb for it, she’s tried it, and probably turned it into a teachable moment.
Tea’s brewing. Grab a cup.
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