Which Tea to Gift Your Mother?
(So She Doesn’t Think You’ve Given Up and Bought Her Another Candle)
So it’s Mother’s Day (or her birthday, or Tuesday, you know she deserves something. Also you know she’s somehow held the entire family together with a glue stick, dried mango, and sheer willpower.)
Either way, you want to give her something thoughtful. Useful. Beautiful. And you could get her another lavender-scented candle. Or a foot soak she won’t use. But let’s do something different this year.
Let’s give her tea.
And not just any tea. The right tea.
The kind of tea that makes her pause mid-sip and think,
"Huh. That’s oddly perfect. Did they actually pay attention when I mentioned I like spearmint but not peppermint? Could it be… love?"
Let’s make that happen.
Step 1: Identify Your Mother’s Vibe
(Yes, this is basically a personality quiz in disguise. Herbalist-style.)
The Soft-Spoken-but-Secretly-Terrifying Matriarch
She wears linen. She arranges flowers and entire family schedules with the same level of calm. She’s not loud, but when she speaks, the room adjusts its posture.
Tea Match: Rose + Tulsi + Green Tea.
Why: Rose for softness. Tulsi for her no-nonsense immune and stress support. Green tea to keep her sharp (because she already knows everything and needs the energy to keep pretending she doesn’t).
Deeper dive:
Rose adds gentle floral notes and supports the emotional heart (and yes, hers is enormous, even if she hides it behind perfect eyebrows).
Tulsi (Holy Basil) is adaptogenic, grounding, and slightly spicy, perfect for someone who shoulders everything without complaint.
Green tea brings clarity, a touch of caffeine, and that wise, slightly bitter edge that says “I saw this coming.”
This is the “Queen’s Garden Blend” Blend.
The Always-Busy Buzzing Bee
She has seven hobbies, three jobs (somehow), answers your texts in real time, and remembers your dentist’s name.
She is caffeine-fueled ambition in comfortable shoes.
Tea Match: Lemon Balm + Ginger + Peppermint.
Why: Lemon balm for the nervous system. Ginger for circulation and warmth. Peppermint to cool the chaos without the sleepiness.
Deeper dive:
Lemon balm is calming for the nervous system without being sedative. Perfect for taking the edge off without slowing down.
Ginger supports digestion and warms the system, this is for energy and that inner fire she somehow never runs out of.
Peppermint clears the mind and adds a refreshing brightness that matches her calendar color-coding and inbox-zero goals.
This is the “Take Five” tea. Whether she actually takes five is between her and her calendar.
The Mom Who Owns a Yoga Mat (and Actually Uses It)
She talks about “alignment” a lot. Her favorite mug says “hydrate or die-drate.” and her water bottle is made of glass. She probably told you about ashwagandha before it went viral.
She’s soft-spoken, emotionally fluent, and slightly intimidating if you’ve had five coffees and she’s had none.
Tea Match: Nettle + Spearmint + Lavender.
Why: Mineral-rich nettle because she’s glowing for a reason. Spearmint for a touch of sweetness. Lavender to remind her she deserves rest too.
(Yes, even if she’s already drinking four adaptogen blends and moon water.)
Deeper dive:
Nettle is mineral-rich, nourishing, and excellent for anyone who lives an active lifestyle (and doesn’t want to age out of her favorite Pilates class).
Spearmint is cooling and uplifting, a little sweeter than peppermint, and pairs beautifully with green herbs.
Lavender is soft, floral, and deeply calming. Great for body and mood when someone’s doing a lot, even when they make it look effortless.
This is the Alignment Blend. She’ll probably drink it while reading plant-based astrology memes.
The Deep Feelings, Deep Reads Mom
She sends you quotes from books you didn’t read. She once sent you a poem that made you emotional about bees.
She doesn’t want tea that’s flashy. She wants tea that means something.
Tea Match: Chamomile + Rose + Rooibos.
Why: Chamomile for emotional grounding. Rose for heart support. Rooibos for antioxidant-rich calm (with no caffeine to keep her up rereading Little Women again).
Deeper dive:
Chamomile is the ultimate herbal hug. Gentle on the gut and the spirit.
Rose again speaks to the emotional heart, balancing the bittersweet notes of life and love and, let’s be honest, family.
Rooibos is caffeine-free but rich and grounding, with antioxidants that don’t shout about it.
This is the Soft Armor Blend. Strong but delicate. Comforting without numbing.
Serve with tissues and a good reread of Jane Eyre.
Step 2: Don’t Overthink It
Seriously. Stick to 3-5 herbs.
One for flavor.
One for energetic effect (warming, cooling, grounding, lifting, etc).
One that says, “Hey Mom, I know you better than the candle aisle at Target.”
You’re not creating a masterpiece. You’re creating a moment.
Step 3: Presentation, Baby.
You don’t need a commercial tea blend tin with embossed gold script that will have the same old dried up lemon slice, low grade matcha and jasmine dust.
You need a clean glass jar, loose leaves you put together yourself and a handwritten label. Better yet, make it a few jars, add each blend in this post and find a pretty gift box at HomeGoods. Give her options, give her handmade, give her your thoughtfulness.
Minimalist Herbalist Tip:
If you don’t know her exact vibe or only want to go with one blend, go with Rose + Ginger + Orange Peel.
It’s fancy, gentle, soothing, and impossible to mess up. Like a hug in a cup.
Even if you’re the reason she needs to relax.
Moral of the story?
Tea is thoughtful, useful, and personal. It’s an herbalist’s love language.
And when chosen well, it says: “I know you. I see you. And I found you a flavor that feels like coming home.”
You got this.
Now go blend something.
➡️ Need help choosing herbs based on what you actually have in your kitchen cabinet?
Drop your mom’s vibe in the comments and I’ll matchmake her the tea she deserves.
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 journal!
Order here.
Want to ease into herbal practice with support?
I’m hosting a 30-Day Herbal Challenge.One herb per week. A new recipe each day.
No pressure. No perfection. Just easy steps, reminders, and a community that actually cares.
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.
Grab a cup. Tea’s brewing.