Baking and Brewing With Botanicals

Baking and Brewing With Our Popular Botanicals

We sell a lot more than kratom! Take a look at our other popular botanicals that can be used for brewing delicious herbal teas and making healthy snacks and smoothies. Here are a few recipes you can try but feel free to get creative and add these herbs and spices to a variety of meals, snacks, smoothies and teas.

Cacao Powder

Cacao has more than 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries and more calcium than cow’s milk. It’s also the highest plant-based provider of iron. People commonly consume cacao to help with issues such as depression, stress, blood pressure and heart health. 

Research has shown that cacao can help reduce risk of cardiovascular disease. Cocoa flavanols have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory action, improve blood flow, and decrease blood pressure and platelet aggregation.

Hot Chocolate, Smoothies, Baked Goods

The uses for cacao powder are nearly limitless. One of the most popular uses for cacao powder is in the making of homemade hot chocolate! Simply mix the powder with warm milk and add sweetener to taste. If you’re trying to go easy on the sugar, you can sweeten it with raw honey or Stevia. Add a little cayenne pepper for Mayan hot chocolate. 

Add cacao powder to smoothies and yogurt. Incorporate it into baked goods or mix it into your pancake batter!

Mayan Hot Chocolate Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons cacao powder
• a pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup of milk or almond or coconut milk
• sweetener (sugar, honey, Stevia)

Directions:

• gently warm milk on stovetop
• mix the cacao, cayenne and cinnamon together in a mug
• pour the warm milk over the powder mixture
• add sweetener to taste

Overnight Chocolate Chia Pudding

• 1/4 cup cacao powder
• 3-5 tablespoons maple syrup or honey to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups milk or unsweetened nut milk
• 1/2 cup chia seeds

Directions

• In a mixing bowl add cacao powder, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla and whisk together. Next, slowly add part of the milk and keep whisking until a paste forms. Then add the rest of the milk and whisk until smooth.
• Add chia seeds and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or at least 3-5 hours (until it becomes a pudding texture). 
• Serve chilled with desired toppings such as chopped nuts, shredded coconut or whipped cream.

Ceylon Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a superfood loaded with powerful antioxidants. Traditionally, the spice has been used to help with bronchitis and upset stomach. Ceylon cinnamon is considered by culinarians to be of superior quality. 

Sprinkle ceylon cinnamon on your oatmeal or pancakes, or add it to any recipe that calls for cinnamon. You can also add it to your kratom as it is a strong potentiator.

Apple Cinnamon Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 medium apple, chopped
• 2 tablespoons old fashioned oats
• 1 tablespoon almond butter (optional)
• 1 cup milk or plain yogurt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions:

• Mix the ingredients in a blender until creamy.
• Top with granola, diced apples and/or a pinch of cinnamon

Turmeric 

Turmeric has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, can benefit inflammation, pain, metabolic syndrome, and help in the management of inflammatory and degenerative eye conditions. Turmeric is commonly used as a flavoring agent in many Asian cuisines, especially in curries. Turmeric powder has a warm, bitter, black pepper-like flavor and earthy, mustard-like aroma. 

Apple Cider Turmeric Detox Drink

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup or raw honey
• pinch of cayenne pepper powder

Directions:

• Mix lemon juice, vinegar, turmeric, cayenne pepper and sweetener in a mug
• pour warm water on top of the ingredients and mix

Organic Moringa

Moringa is an extremely nutritious plant known for its high levels of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory qualities and protein. Moringa is packed with nutrients shown to slow down the aging process, reduce stress, promote healthier skin and bone health and lower cholesterol levels. People consume moringa to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and improve heart health. Adding moringa to a daily smoothie is a great way to get your greens for the day.

Tropical Moringa Smoothie

• 1 banana
• ½ cup frozen mango chunks
• ½ cup frozen pineapple chunks
• handful of kale
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 tablespoon moringa powder

Herbal Teas: Passion Flower, Marshmallow Root, Holy Basil, Damiana, Blue Lotus Flower, Hibiscus Flower

Passion Flower

Many people use passion flower to help ease insomnia, anxiety or restlessness. Native Americans used the herb as a medicine to treat a variety of health conditions, including wounds, boils, earaches, and liver problems. The herb is also excellent for foot soaks, bath blends and facial masks as it contains many antioxidants, including vitamin C and lycopene, that help neutralize damaging free radicals. Passion flower has been shown to help reduce spasms and relax the central nervous system. Brew passion flower into an herbal tea or incorporate it into a homemade face or body scrub.

Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root has been used in herbalism and as an ornamental plant for centuries. A confection made from the root since ancient Egyptian times evolved into today’s marshmallow treat, but most modern marshmallow treats no longer contain any marshmallow root. Traditionally, people have used  marshmallow root for digestive problems, cough and skin conditions such as eczema. Marshmallow root is an excellent addition to herbal tea concoctions.

Organic Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy basil is an Ayurvedic plant widely used as an herbal tea or taken in supplement form. Holy basil has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Many people consume holy basil as a stress reliever. 

Hundreds of scientific studies in vitro, animal and human experiments have shown that holy basil exerts a unique combination of actions that include antimicrobial, anti-diarrheal, antioxidant, anticataract, anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, cardio-protective, anti-diabetic, memory enhancement, anti-asthmatic, anti-arthritic, adaptogenic and anti-stress activities.

Damiana

Damiana is commonly used to enhance sexual health and decrease anxiety. The herb has been used to treat headaches, depression, nervous stomach, and constipation and to boost mental and physical stamina.

Fresh Botanical Tea 

Directions (This method can be used to make passion flower, marshmallow root, holy basil, blue lotus, hibiscus and/or damiana tea):

• Pour hot water over loose leaf tea and let steep
• Sweeten with honey or other sweetener (optional)
• Add milk or preferred nut milk (optional)
• Add fresh lemon juice (optional)
• Pour over ice if you prefer iced tea

 

from
https://siestabotanicals.com/bakingandbrewingwithbotanicals/

Kratom’s Role in Indonesia’s Environment and Economy

Kratom’s Role in Indonesia’s Environment and Economy

Indonesia provides around 95% of the world’s kratom with most of the product being shipped to the United States with an estimated 2 to 4 million kratom consumers. Kapuas Hulu in the West Kalimantan province is the main hub for kratom production, generating U.S. $13 million per year. The region has several kratom plantations that are fertilized by the seasonal floods of the Kapuas River. 

In a 2018 Bloomberg report, the Indonesia Kratom Entrepreneurs Association reported that Pontianak, a city 350 miles west of Kapuas Hulu, exported around 400 tons of kratom a month in 2017.

Kratom has dramatically increased the quality of life for rural farmers in Kapuas Hulu and given the area’s economy a much needed boost. Many farmers have stopped farming cash crops such as palm oil and rubber in favor of growing kratom which is far more profitable and sustainable. 

How Does Kratom Farming Affect the Environment?

The Indonesian rainforests are home to a wide variety of animals and indigenous communities that live in the forest and depend on sustainable farming practices to survive.

Farming kratom is much better for the environment than other cash crops commonly harvested in tropical areas, such as palm oil and rubber. It is well-known that palm oil has a terrible environmental impact on the rainforests and the orangutans who live there. Palm oil plantations, which take up more than 27 million hectares and produce 66 million tons of oil per year, are cleared by bulldozing or burning down the rainforest.

Rubber is made from latex, a milky liquid that drips out of a rainforest tree — similar to the sap used to make maple syrup. It is used in making auto tires, shoes, surgical gloves, sports equipment, sportswear, and as an additive for other chemicals and many other products.

Tropical forests in Southeast Asia are being cleared for rubber plantations, putting endangered birds, bats and primates at risk. By 2024, up to 8.5 million hectares of new rubber plantations will be needed to meet the demand for rubber, report UK researchers in the scientific journal Conservation Letters. One review found that the numbers of bird, bat and beetle species can decline by up to 75% in forests that have been converted to rubber.

In contrast, kratom can be grown without any damage to the tree or surrounding area, thus allowing for greater rainforest preservation.

From Tree to Tea: How is Kratom Produced?

How is kratom produced? Is it made in a high-tech greenhouse or a lab? Actually, not much has changed over the centuries when it comes to kratom farming practices. You’ll be happy to know that kratom is naturally and organically cultivated and produced from the leaves of kratom trees which are picked, washed, ground up and dried.

In the Beginning

For millennia, the local people of Southeast Asia have been cultivating the kratom tree to benefit from its medicinal and recreational properties. The earliest known reports of kratom consumption in Malaysia is 1836. Kratom belongs to the Rubiaceae family, which includes coffee and gardenia plants. These towering evergreen trees with their large glossy leaves are quite impressive and can reach up to 80 feet or more. 

Kratom trees grow naturally throughout the jungles of Indonesia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia but are also planted by kratom farmers for cultivation on private land. These trees require a tropical climate and are very sensitive to frost and drought.

Traditional Use/ Ethnobotany

Kratom has been used for various purposes in Southeast Asia for centuries, including as a household remedy for various ailments, as a recreational drink (primarily among men), and in some Thai villages, it was used as part of religious ceremonies. Farmers, fishermen and other manual laborers in Southeast Asia would also chew the fresh or dried leaves to combat fatigue and improve work productivity. The leaves could also be smoked or brewed or steeped into tea.

In traditional use, rural populations would ingest kratom leaves to treat common medical problems, such as diarrhea, fever, cough, anxiety and pain and even used it as a wound poultice. It is still popular in Asian village communities during social gatherings. 

Protecting Kratom Farming in Indonesia

Currently, the Indonesian government allows the growing and harvesting of kratom for export, although local sales and distribution are illegal. In June 2019, however, Indonesia’s Minister of Health proposed a potential kratom ban that could become effective in 2024. According to the government, this would allow farmers 5 years to transition their livelihood away from kratom and toward other crops. 

If the law comes to pass, it will harm both the economy and the environment as these farmers would likely have to go back to farming rainforest-destroying products such as rubber and palm oil.

In an Indonesian news report stating that the government was considering a ban on growing and exporting kratom, a kratom leaf farmer from Bunut Hilir Subdistrict, Syaparudin, is quoted as saying (translation) “Of course for us it is very unfortunate. Because purik [kratom] leaves are a livelihood after rubber latex, which is cheap.” According to Syaparudin, the government is expected to reconsider the proposed ban. 

“Honestly, this is our hope as a society to fulfill our daily life and pay for our children to go to school and college,” he said.

Another kratom leaf farmer named Ahlan from Jongjong District had similar sentiments. He stated (translation) in the article “Kratom leaves have become our hope to meet family needs.”

Potential Effects on the U.S.

Indonesia’s massive production of kratom — and its legality — is important to countries such as the U.S. where the demand is strong and growing for both personal use and business investments. An increasing number of business owners are opening kava bars and online shops and some are adding it to their smoke shops and other small businesses. In turn, the higher exportation rate further boosts the production rate. Only time will tell if the proposed ban will be enacted or repealed. 

American Consumers

Americans make up the large majority of kratom consumers worldwide. According to the American Kratom Association, “nearly 5 million Americans consume kratom as a part of their health and well-being regimen and have done so for decades.” Some data suggests there could be up to 15 million kratom consumers in the U.S. Surveys reveal that kratom users are educated, middle-income, employed and have health insurance, according to the AKA.

 

from
https://siestabotanicals.com/kratomroleindonesiaenvironmenteconomy/