Pairings with a past
Every blend starts from combinations with a long history of traditional use, then is balanced by taste so you will want a second cup.
Rituals & Learn
The quiet craft of the daily cup
A good herbal tea asks for very little: fresh water, the right heat and a few unhurried minutes. Here is how we brew each blend, which cup suits which hour, where our botanicals come from, and the questions our clients ask most.
Brewing guide
Three ways to draw out a blend
Delicate leaves and flowers open quickly in hot water. Fruit and mint blends turn silky when cold-brewed overnight. Dense roots, barks and seeds give the most when they are gently simmered.
Hot infusion
The everyday method, for tea bags and loose leaf alike. Covering the cup keeps the aromatic oils of mint, chamomile and lavender in your tea instead of in the air.
Warm the vessel
Rinse your cup or pot with a splash of hot water and pour it away, so the brew does not cool the moment it lands.
Measure
One tea bag, or about 2 g of loose blend (a heaped teaspoon), per 250 ml cup. Use a roomy infuser so the leaves can open.
Pour and cover
Use freshly boiled water, just off the boil for floral blends. Cover with a saucer while it steeps.
Steep, then taste
Five to eight minutes. Herbal teas rarely turn bitter, so a longer steep simply gives a fuller cup. Honey or a slice of lemon are welcome.
Cold brew
A slow, overnight steep in the fridge gives a smooth, naturally sweet tea with no bitterness. Lovely with hibiscus, rose and mint for warm Canadian summers.
Double the dose
Two tea bags, or about 4 g of loose blend, for every 250 ml of cool filtered water in a clean glass jar.
Rest in the fridge
Cover and refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours. Keep it in the fridge the whole time; do not leave it on the counter.
Strain and serve
Strain, then pour over ice with citrus or fresh mint. Drink within 24 hours.
Root decoction
Turmeric, ginger, burdock, dandelion and licorice roots are dense and slow to give up their flavour. The traditional answer is a decoction: a gentle simmer on the stove, the way family kitchens across the Middle East and South Asia have long prepared them.
Start cold
Add about 3 g of loose blend per 300 ml of cold water to a small lidded saucepan. Loose leaf works best here.
Simmer, covered
Bring to a gentle boil, lower the heat and simmer with the lid on for 10 to 15 minutes. Some water evaporates; that is the extra 50 ml.
Rest off the heat
Turn off the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes, so the leaves and flowers in the blend can infuse too.
Strain and sweeten
Strain into a warm cup. Golden Hearth is lovely finished with warm milk and a little honey.
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Blend pairing
A cup for every hour
Choose a time of day and we will suggest three blends that suit it, with a small pairing idea for the table. Every blend in the apothecary is naturally caffeine-free.
Morning: wake gently
Choose a time of day above to see suggestions.
Begin with warmth. Spiced roots and bright greens make an easy, caffeine-free companion to a slow breakfast.
Sourcing & quality
What goes into the tin, and what stays out
We would rather tell you what we know than dress it up. Items marked To confirm are placeholders the clinic will verify with suppliers before the shop opens.
- Botanicals
- Whole-leaf and cut herbs, flowers, roots and seeds only. No added flavourings, colours or fillers. To confirm
- Origin
- Country of origin for each herb, listed on the label and product page. To confirm
- Organic
- Certified organic ingredients where available, with the certifier named on the pack. To confirm
- Testing
- Supplier certificates of analysis for identity, microbial safety and heavy metals, kept on file for each lot. To confirm
- Blending
- Blended and packed in small batches in Canada, with a lot number and best-before date on every pack. To confirm
- Tea bags
- Plant-based, plastic-free tea bags with a gold-printed MK Holistic Clinic tag. To confirm
- Packaging
- Reusable tins; refill pouches that are recyclable or compostable where facilities exist. To confirm
- Licensing
- Health Canada product licence (NPN) status for each blend, or sale as a food tea without health statements. To confirm
The full recipe on the label
Each ingredient is listed by name, plant part and percentage. No proprietary blends, no hidden extras.
Honest about caution
Known cautions, such as licorice and blood pressure or hibiscus in pregnancy, are printed plainly on every blend, not hidden in small print.
MK Holistic Clinic
Tea is one part of a wider practice
The apothecary grew out of our treatment rooms. Alongside hijama (traditional cupping) and holistic care, a warm cup is part of how we welcome clients, and many ask which blend to bring home. If you would like personal guidance, talk to your practitioner during your visit.
Appointments are arranged through our main site, mkholisticclinic.com. Tea from the apothecary complements care from a qualified practitioner; it does not replace it.
- 01ConsultShare your health history and goals with a practitioner.
- 02TreatmentHijama and holistic therapies, in a calm and private room.
- 03At homeA daily tea ritual that fits the routine you have agreed together.
Questions
Before you brew
Short answers to what clients ask us most. Still unsure? Ask your practitioner at the clinic, or write to hello@mkholisticclinic.com.
How does shipping work?
This is a demo storefront, so no orders are sent yet. When the shop opens, the plan is to ship across Canada at a flat rate of $9.95, with free shipping on orders over $75. Prices are in Canadian dollars; applicable taxes would be added at checkout.
Delivery times, carriers and local pickup at the clinic are still being arranged. To confirm
How should I store my tea?
Keep it cool, dark, dry and sealed. Light, heat, moisture and air are what fade an herbal blend.
- Store tins and pouches away from the stove, kettle and sunny windowsills.
- Press the air out of refill pouches before resealing, or decant them into your tin.
- Use a dry spoon, and keep strong-smelling spices away, as dried herbs absorb aromas.
- There is no need to refrigerate dry tea. Cold-brewed tea, however, belongs in the fridge.
How long does it keep?
Dried herbs do not spoil quickly, but they slowly lose aroma and flavour. For the best cup, enjoy each blend within about 12 months of the pack date, and within 3 months of opening. To confirm
Every pack will carry a lot number and best-before date. If a blend smells flat or looks damp, it is time to replace it.
Can I drink these if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
Please speak with your midwife, doctor or a qualified healthcare practitioner first. Several of our blends contain herbs that are traditionally avoided in pregnancy, including hibiscus, licorice, red raspberry leaf and lady's mantle.
The caution note on each product page lists the specific herbs to be aware of. The same advice applies if you are taking medication or managing a health condition.
What about allergies?
Every ingredient is listed on the product page, so you can check before you order. Two families come up most often:
- Daisy family (Asteraceae): chamomile, echinacea, dandelion and burdock. Take care if you react to ragweed.
- Carrot family (Apiaceae): fennel, aniseed and coriander.
Our blends are made without added gluten, dairy or nuts, but they are packed in a facility that may handle other botanicals. Allergen controls for the packing facility are still being confirmed. To confirm
Do any blends contain caffeine?
No. Every blend in the apothecary is made from herbs, flowers, fruits, roots and seeds, without tea leaf, so all of them are naturally caffeine-free and suit any time of day.
Which size should I order?
Each blend comes in four sizes:
- Sample, 10 bags: to try a blend for the first time.
- Tin, 20 bags: about three weeks of a daily cup, in a tin you keep.
- Pouch, 50 g loose: roughly 25 cups at 2 g each, for an infuser or teapot.
- Refill, 100 g loose: roughly 50 cups, the best value for a blend you already love.
Choose your size and quantity on each blend's page, then adjust it any time in your order.
Do you offer wholesale or bulk orders?
Yes, we plan to supply practitioners, clinics, cafés and wellness retailers, as well as larger orders for events and gifts. Minimums, case sizes and pricing are still being set. To confirm
Send us a note through the wholesale and bulk inquiry section of the order page.
Are these teas a replacement for medical care?
No. Our blends are traditional herbal teas. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Where we mention traditional use, we are describing how a herb has historically been used, not promising a result. Please keep your healthcare practitioner informed about the herbs you take.
Your ritual
Ready to find your blend?
Start with a 10-bag sample, or go straight to a tin of a blend you already know.