Mention the words "herb" and "Colorado" and the next thing that comes to mind probably isn't "with kids." But stay with us for a minute. That's all it'll take.
A certain Colorado amendment brought a bunch of attention to one of the oldest traditions in the Rockies: using botanicals with medicinal qualities.
But in a place like Boulder, the publicity is well deserved. We found a town steeped in herb, but not necessarily in the way you would think.
Drop by the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, a gift from Boulder's sister city, Dushanbe, Tajikistan. It's said to be the only authentic Persian teahouse in the western hemisphere, and it's a great place for a steaming cup of Jasmine tea. The calming low-caffeine brew set the right tone for our groovy adventure.
As we walked along the Pearl Street Mall area, we found a shop that until recently hung a sign advertising: "Legally selling herb since 2004." They were half kidding. The business, Savory Spice Shop, offers a variety of freshly-ground spices that promise to elevate your next meal.
Savory sells more than 160 blends and local products with flavors like Ghost Pepper Salt (that's our son Iden trying a tiny sample), Pearl Street Plank Rub, Spicy Vanilla Bean Sugar as well as our kids' favorite, freeze dried corn. I recommend the Mayan Chocolate powder -- good for hot chocolate and brownies.
They also carry locally-sourced, small-batch sauces, jellies and honey. My kids went for the wildflower honey from Beyond the Hive, a company founded as the Johnston Honey Farm by homesteaders in 1908. That's right, Colorado's earliest settlers were already keen on natural remedies.
At Rebecca's Herbal Apothecary we learned more about the healing properties found in natural ingredients or as she puts it, botanical medicine.
Inside, we saw jars overflowing with organic, hand-picked, medicinal-quality dried herbs. Some are mixed as therapeutic blends to sooth aches, pains or illness. Other are sold in bulk for personal blending. Since it's spring, we spent some time inhaling the decongesting steam and lung tea. They also sell salves, tinctures, soaps and smudges.
The methodology of mixing essential oils and aromatherapy may be considered a form of sorcery by some, but there's a science to it was well. Rebecca's offers classes for those interested in learning more about how herbs can be used to improve your health and the environment.
In 1969, a group of four friends decided that people were drinking too many soda drinks and coffee. And they thought that might be unhealthy. So they took to the Rocky Mountains and harvested lots of herbs, borrowed some space in a barn to dry them and packaged them in tiny tea bags wrapped shut with wires donated by the telephone company. It was the beginning of the Celestial Seasonings tea company.
That original blend, called Mo's 36 Herb Tea, is believed to be the foundation for their number-one selling Sleepy Time tea, which, confidentially speaking, wasn't a tea at all. It was an herbal infusion and over the past 50-plus years, the group has added ingredients like green, white and black tea, Acai, rooibos and echinacea to become one of the largest producers to herbal tea blend in the country.
If you're in Boulder, you can visit their factory (that's our son Aren sniffing the lemongrass), taste-test any of their wide variety of teas and learn more about the company that began with the simple calling to make healthy beverage alternatives. Coming from Florida, we have to admit that we like their teas best when they're iced.
The kids were impressed by the Celestial Seasonings factory tour, which lasts just under an hour. We have the overstuffed bag filled with kid-friendly blends to prove it. A word of warning: If your youngsters ask for Fast Lane tea, just say "no." It's got lots of extra caffeine.
One terrific way to see Boulder is on Banjo Billy's bus tour. You'll learn a lot more about the history of the area and the local culture and he may even offer you an herbal tip or two.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.