When owners of Her Sanctuary and Her Story Boutique, mother-daughter team of Ciara and Susan Morreale, decided to join forces on Hertel, I knew right away that they would come together to create some powerful new beginnings. The latest twist of their combined spiritual adventure is the addition of a tea bar in the sanctuary space.
I caught up with Sue, to discuss the tea bar, the exquisite vintage tea sets (for sale), the tea classes offered, the brand of tea (Teamotions), and their relatively new co-working space. I’m glad that I stopped in to catch up, because honestly I had no idea that Ciara and Sue had incorporated a tea business into their array of offerings. As we sat talking, Sue opened each metal tea canister, to let me smell the aroma, as she discussed the flavors and health benefits, which are as follows (from Teamotions):
DISCOVER JOY :: Lemon Vanilla Green
Discover Joy was the first blend we created because restoring joy to sad and discouraged hearts was our top priority. Its everyday use honors our need to let life back in and find good in all circumstances. We blended Discover Joy with ashwagandha, lemongrass, and oatstraw to naturally and safely boost morale and strengthen the body against stress. The aroma is bright and uplifting and the lemon and vanilla offer a comforting harmony of flavors. The color of this tea in the cup reminds us of how the sunrise peaks over the horizon filling the new day with golden beauty. Use Discover Joy to calm your mind, lift your mood, and strengthen your body’s response to stress with every sip.
- Mental: Calm your mind and encourage positive thoughts
- Physical: Strengthen your body against stress
- Emotional: Lift your mood and let joy back in
SEEK PEACE :: Rooibos Coconut Chai (caffeine free)
Seek Peace was the second blend we created. We wanted to make a tea that brought attention to the importance of emotional expression because holding in our feelings is not healthy, physically or emotionally. Seek Peace was formulated to help release pent-up feelings and restore inner peace and was inspired by our desire to be honest about our feelings, express them in beneficial ways, and protect our bodies from the physical consequences of repressed emotions, especially anger and frustration. We blended Seek Peace with the liver support herbs dandelion rootand milk thistle because of their ability to foster emotional health and physical recovery. The real chai spices encourage circulation in the body to help move stagnation, and the rooibos adds richness without caffeine for the most soothing effect possible. The heavenly aroma has notes of creamy coconut and fragrant cardamom. The flavor is bold and silky with a mellow spiciness that is well-balanced and delicious. Drink Seek Peace when you want to honor your emotions and restore physical health and well-being.
- Mental: Calming and soothing
- Physical: Supports a healthy liver which cultivates total body health and prevents illness
- Emotional: Helps release pent-up emotions, especially anger and frustration, to restore inner peace
ACHIEVE CLARITY :: Vanilla Earl Grey
Achieve Clarity was the third blend we created. It is an important addition to our line because it addresses the connection between body, heart, and mind. It was developed to foster mental fortitude, physical energy. and emotional courage. This tea helps restore clarity in the midst of confusion, and helps the body, mind, and spirit focus and align. This is the tea you want in your cup when you need to think clearly and calmly. Although this tea has many applications it is an overall sensible daily tea for physical energy and mental clarity. We blended Achieve Clarity with licorice root and holy basil to support brain health, improve mental function, and enhance memory. The aroma is citrusy and bold and the flavor is rich and smooth. It is delicious on its own or with cream and sugar like a traditional English tea. Drink Achieve Clarity when you want to connect your body, heart, and mind and restore mental clarity and focus.
- Mental: Improves focus, memory, and mental clarity
- Physical: Increases oxygen to the brain, keeps your body calm and centered, and does not over-stimulate
- Emotional: Boosts self-confidence and courage
HAVE HOPE :: Peppermint Creme (caffeine free)
Have Hope was the fourth blend we created. This tea was developed to relieve worry and renew hope. It has the ability to calm anxiety, strengthen emotional resolve, and restore optimism in any circumstance. We blended Have Hope with St. John’s Wort, holy basil, and oatstrawto support a healthy stress response, soothe overwhelming emotions, and restore balance. The aroma is refreshing and calming and the flavor is layered with peppermint, rose, chicory root, and a hint of creamy sweetness. Drink Have Hope to calm your fears and lean back into life again with renewed hope and optimism.
- Mental: Calms racing or obsessive thoughts. Restores mental peace
- Physical: Supports a healthy stress response
- Emotional: Renews hope and optimism and strengthens emotional resolve
FIND STRENGTH :: Passionfruit Jasmine Green
Find Strength was the fifth blend we created. Find Strength is for the times you need to find more strength to face everything life throws your way. This tea empowers you to be all in–mind, body, and soul—and to never give up. We blended Find Strength with jiaogulan, an adaptogen herb from China often referred to as the immortality herb because of its ability to foster mental, emotional, and physical strength and stamina, and recovery in the body. It has been used for centuries as a remedy for fatigue, to increase endurance, improve immune system function, and support a healthy stress response. The aroma is inspiring and fragrant and the flavor is delicate with the perfect balance of jasmine, passionfruit, and green tea. Drink Find Strength when you need to restore physical, mental, and emotional strength and empower yourself to persevere.
- Mental: Supports fortitude and prevents mental exhaustion
- Physical: Restores physical strength, stamina, and recovery
- Emotional: Boosts self-confidence
ENJOY REST :: Apple Cinnamon Chamomile (caffeine free)
Enjoy Rest was the last tea we created in our Core Collection. It was a necessary addition and the perfect companion to the other five teas because regular, restful sleep is a pillar well-being. We must be mindful of getting adequate rest and quality sleep as not to undermine our other well-being efforts. We blended Enjoy Rest with chamomile and ashwagandha, which work synergistically to calm and soothe the body and mind to induce sound, restful sleep and aid recovery from emotional and physical exhaustion. The aroma is reminiscent of homemade apple pie and the flavor is smooth and well-balanced. We are proud to share that this tea won first place at the World Tea Competition. Drink Enjoy Rest when you are ready to unwind and restore your valuable emotional and physical energy.
- Mental: Turns off an overactive brain and fosters mental rest
- Physical: Induces relaxation and restful sleep
- Emotional: Aids in recovery from emotional exhaustion and restores tranquility
According to Sue, nobody is doing anything quite like this in Buffalo. Not just selling and serving the teas, many of which have adaptogens, but also offering up the tea bar, and the co-working space (with free WiFi). There’s even a Buddha booth (sponsored by OWM Buffalo) where people can take a free time out to meditate in a dark, enclosed space (like a booth). A person can sit and ponder and reflect inside the booth (with or without tea). “You can sit in there and meditate,” said Sue. “You can recharge, and refocus. Anyone can stop in to try this. It’s a place to decompress from any kind of stress.”
When Sue says that there’s no other place like Her Sanctuary, she’s right. The array of workshops and classes that are hosted at the space is mind-boggling, from yoga to mini trampoline (helps with lymphatic drainage). Even Roswell Park has identified the health, spiritual, and well-being benefits that Her Sanctuary has to offer – Roswell holds some of their workshops at the inspirational space. “The energy just feels great,” Sue told me. “That’s why we want people to come pay a visit.”
Her Sanctuary | 1438 Hertel Avenue | Buffalo NY | 716-886-6457 | Facebook