Kendra Hastings: Wild Tea

What do you like about wild tea and why did you want to grow it in the Living History Gardens? 

The Apache name for wild tea is izee ts’ose, izee meaning medicine and ts’ose meaning narrow(used to describe the long stem and hair-like leaves). Thru learning the traditional name of this plant, the Apache language has been revitalized within my life. Learning the language has brought me closer to my roots and ancestry. Speaking in Apache is full of creative expression and beautifully descriptive. The plant names carry knowledge and tell their stories of who they are and how they work with people to bring healing. 

What has it been like trying to grow wild tea yourself instead of picking it wild?

Humbling to say the least. I’ve also gained more respect for this plant and understanding the wild nature of where/how they grow teaches you that sometimes plants are hard to tame but being patient is key because they will reveal themselves when they’re ready. 

What are your memories of your family using wild tea, past or present?

Apache people and other tribes have been using tea for generations. The knowledge the plant carries has been shared with us through our traditions and ceremonies. I remember going to pick tea for the first time as a kid and having my grandma show me the right way to harvest by leaving an offering and prayerfirst then picking the tea by breaking the stems at the base of the plant, leaving the roots and spreading the seeds for the plants to continue to grow. 

Tell us a little about your family’s story. (Like, who is your family and how did their journey take you to be here, growing in Flagstaff?)

My family comes from the Navajo and White Mtn Apache tribes, my mom is Navajo from Crystal New Mexico and my dad is Apache from Canyon Day Arizona. My parents met at NAU and raised my siblings and I in Flagstaff. A few years ago, they were able to build a house on two acres of land which gave us space to start growing food. My family has roots in farming, both my parents grew up on the rez helping their grandparents plant and harvest corn. Many years had passed since my parents had grown anything, so I decided to start growing a garden in their backyard.  After hearing stories of how my parents would help plant corn, I learned how our people would grow food and began planting many different crops. 

Is there a member of your family who inspired your connection to wild tea? What is this person like? Do you have any favorite stories of them?

My late grandma, who was technically my dad’s aunt but helped raise him after his mom passed, would always tell us stories about the Apache way of life while drinking wild tea. We would always visit her and she would always have a big bundle of tea ready for us to take home. 

Tea Recipe:

• 1 bundle of wild tea(5-7 strands of dried stems/flowers) 

• 2 qt of water 

• honey or preferred sweetener(optional) 

Bring water to a boil and add tea bundle

Boil for 5 mins or until water reaches a deep amber color

Serve hot or iced with honey