For someone who cut coffee from their diet about a decade ago, teas are sacred. So, when one of our magazine’s longtime freelance contributors recommended I try Tigertoes Herbs, Teas and Trees’ concoctions, I was all in.
Launched in 2015 by Debby Kays and her husband, Terry, Tigertoes operates out of the couple’s 5-acre farm in Fort Myers’ Buckingham suburb, where they harvest organic herbs, fruits and plants. Terry, a longtime farmer, feeds and prunes every plant and fruit tree growing on the property by hand, and Debby harvests and experiments with herbs and roots. Anything the couple can’t grow themselves in Florida’s climate, they source from organic farmers and distributors across the U.S.
Research suggests organic herbs can help combat everyday health issues: peppermint for digestion, lemon balm for stress, hibiscus for its antioxidant properties. Debby experiments with combinations, balancing flavor, scent and function. She harvests, dries and grinds the leaves and roots, keeping about 40 varieties of pre-made blends in stock, which she’ll sell online and at local farmers markets in Fort Myers and on Sanibel Island, as well as select wellness studios, like Sauna House in Bonita Springs and The Treehouse yoga studio on Sanibel. She’ll also brew custom blends (or make the concoctions into capsules or tinctures) for individuals seeking specific, holistic aids. The loose-leaf teas, which come in paper bags, offer safer alternatives to commercial tea bags, many of which have been found to contain microplastics that can seep into boiling water during the brewing process, according to the National Institute of Health.
I told Debby I wanted something to boost my energy, ease stress and improve sleep, and we settled on two loose-leaf blends. The Athletes Tea, made with ashwagandha, peppermint and licorice root, gave me a gentle, caffeine-free lift to start the day. After a few days, the mid-afternoon slump felt less intense, and I appreciated the lack of caffeine-induced headaches I sometimes get with chai. I now alternate that earthier blend with the sweeter Zen mix of hibiscus flower, lemon balm and hops. It’s meant for nighttime, but one morning serving helped relax my mind—a welcome change from the constant stream of thoughts and never-ending to-do lists that fill my brain. Now, just the simple act of steeping the tea every morning lifts my spirits. I’ll raise my mug to that.