News at Townsend Draft Goods
Read About Our Featured Product: Spirulina - Nutritionally Dense Superfood

Read About Our Featured Product: Spirulina - Nutritionally Dense Superfood

In Ayurvedic energetics, spirulina reads as sattvic and cooling: a Pitta-pacifier particularly well suited to the warming days of late spring and early summer.

Marcella Townsend • May 26, 2026
Five thousand years of Turmeric, Spirulina fed Aztec civilization, Soursop leaf across Caribbean

Five thousand years of Turmeric, Spirulina fed Aztec civilization, Soursop leaf across Caribbean

Turmeric has been carried in the healer's kit for five thousand years. Spirulina fed the Aztec civilization. Soursop leaf has moved through the hands of traditional practitioners across the Caribbean, Central America, and West Africa for generations.

Marcella Townsend • May 21, 2026
Tea from Darjeeling, Jaggery from India, & Magic Apothecary Tea Spoons

Tea from Darjeeling, Jaggery from India, & Magic Apothecary Tea Spoons

The shop has been busy these past weeks. New arrivals this week — humble in price, generous in tradition.

Marcella Townsend • May 17, 2026
Ayurvedic and Herbal Perspective on Berberine

Ayurvedic and Herbal Perspective on Berberine

Berberine (from barberry, goldenseal, etc.) supports healthy blood sugar, cholesterol, and gut flora; antimicrobial and liver-protective.

Marcella Townsend • May 12, 2026
Amla (Amalaki) is a traditional Ayurvedic fruit valued for its antioxidant activity, digestive support, and nutrient density

Amla (Amalaki) is a traditional Ayurvedic fruit valued for its antioxidant activity, digestive support, and nutrient density

In Ayurveda, Amla is considered mildly medhya, meaning it supports clarity and balanced mental function; Additionally, it is considered a rasayana, meaning it supports overall vitality and healthy aging.

Marcella Townsend • May 8, 2026
Moringa and Boswellia - Two Ayurvedic Herbs

Moringa and Boswellia - Two Ayurvedic Herbs

Together, these two herbs form a kind of elemental duet—fire and coolness, movement and ease, arrow and incense. Moringa awakens what has grown dull; Boswellia softens what has grown inflamed.

Marcella Townsend • Apr 26, 2026
Ayurveda Face & Neck Cream

Ayurveda Face & Neck Cream

Cerabuild Face and Neck Cream - Restore and Protect Your Skin's Lost Moisture with Phyto-Ceramides

Marcella Townsend • Mar 17, 2026
Turmeric Root - The Herb for All Body Types

Turmeric Root - The Herb for All Body Types

Ayurveda emphasizes using turmeric consistently and in moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle.

Marcella Townsend • Feb 22, 2026
Tulsi Tea - What is it?

Tulsi Tea - What is it?

Ayurvedic practitioners value Tulsi tea (also known as Holy Basil) for its warming, sattvic qualities, which are believed to help maintain balance in the mind and body.

Marcella Townsend • Jan 20, 2026
Fire Tonics: A Traditional Herbal and Ayurvedic Wellness Tonic

Fire Tonics: A Traditional Herbal and Ayurvedic Wellness Tonic

Fire tonics—often called fire cider—sit at a fascinating crossroads between folk herbalism and Ayurvedic energetics. The modern recipes vary, but the core idea is consistent: a pungent, heating, vinegar‑based infusion designed to wake up the body’s inner fire.

Marcella Townsend • Jan 16, 2026
Gymnema Leaf: The “Sugar Destroyer” in Ayurveda and Herbalism

Gymnema Leaf: The “Sugar Destroyer” in Ayurveda and Herbalism

Bitter and astringent in taste, light and dry in quality, Gymnema is considered to reduce Kapha and Pitta doshas and is known for its ability to support healthy metabolic function. Modern herbalism recognizes Gymnema for its role in maintaining normal blood sugar levels already within the normal range, reducing cravings, and promoting balanced appetite.

Marcella Townsend • Dec 16, 2025
Before & After - Raven's Hair Health

Before & After - Raven's Hair Health

My hair was falling out and it felt thin. I was taking good care of my hair and eating better, but it still kept thinning. Ayurveda & Herbal Treatments in My Journey So I returned to Ayurvedic recommendations. It called for calming the winds in my channels & mind, increasing my nutrient intake, and decreasing things that dry out. So I combined my herbal knowledge with my Ayurvedic knowledge and formulated my tea blend. I also realized that I needed to add other nourishing regimens such as massaging my hair follicles for growth stimulation, and return to sitting quietly in the mornings for a few minutes. In addition, I needed to decrease my coffee intake. Results Most people look crappy in the mornings, and I'm not excluded. It's definitely not the moment for pictures! But I decided to take REAL pictures of my hair during my own exploration of my tea blend. Coming into the kitchen to make my morning coffee, I took a "before" picture. And then I implemented my own regime: Change out my coffee morning routine for my Ayurvedic-based tea blend for 1 month.  Gosh it was hard. I wanted my coffee. But I stuck with it. I drank my tea throughout the day, too. I also done head massages morning & evening. I took pictures half-way through to see my progress. Hmmm, okay, some progress was shown. But, the most important thing that I noticed? Less hair falling out after I shampooed! Less hair falling out as I fixed my hair. AND, it actually started feeling a bit thicker! Finally, I arrived at the 30 day mark, walked into the kitchen to warm my water for my tea and snapped the pictures. YES! The results are there! Even my skeptic boyfriend had to agree that the results are there!

Marcella Townsend • Dec 14, 2025
Rhodiola: The Ayurvedic Adaptogen for Modern Resilience

Rhodiola: The Ayurvedic Adaptogen for Modern Resilience

Fuel your resilience with Rhodiola—an adaptogen trusted for centuries to balance stress, boost energy, and sharpen focus. Encapsulated for purity, potency, and convenience.

Marcella Townsend • Dec 7, 2025
Usage of Oregano Essential Oil in Herbalism & Ayurveda& Aromatherapy Practices

Usage of Oregano Essential Oil in Herbalism & Ayurveda& Aromatherapy Practices

Oregano essential oil is used in both herbalism and Ayurveda as a potent cleansing agent due to its antimicrobial, antifungal, and detoxifying properties. In herbalism, it is applied for intestinal cleansing and immune support, while in Ayurveda it is considered heating (ushna) and detoxifying, helping to burn toxins (ama) and reduce excess Kapha.

Marcella Townsend • Nov 29, 2025
What is ivermectin and what is the equivalent to it in the field of Ayurveda and Herbalism?

What is ivermectin and what is the equivalent to it in the field of Ayurveda and Herbalism?

Ayurvedic & Herbal Antiparasitic Herbs: Ayurveda doesn’t have a single “drug equivalent” to ivermectin, but it uses antiparasitic herbs and cleansing protocols (krimi chikitsa) to address worms and parasites. These herbs act as natural anthelmintics, laxatives, or digestive tonics.

Marcella Townsend • Nov 27, 2025
Energy in Ancient Medicine - Ojas & Vitality

Energy in Ancient Medicine - Ojas & Vitality

This post explores the Ayurvedic view of energy, the concept of ojas, and how traditional herbs like yerba mate, maca, and eleuthero root have been used to support vitality across cultures.

Marcella Townsend • Nov 9, 2025
Fire & Air Elements for Health Health, Ancient Medicine Principles

Fire & Air Elements for Health Health, Ancient Medicine Principles

The culprits for hair thinning according to ancient medicine? Fire and Air Elements.

Marcella Townsend • Nov 6, 2025
Wind & Skin: An Earth Medicine Guide to Vata Season

Wind & Skin: An Earth Medicine Guide to Vata Season

It's Fall and the winds are here. According to Ayurveda, wind dries out the body. There are practices you can do to fight the dry skin & chapped lips! When the wind blows dry and cold, we answer with warmth, oil, and steadiness...

Marcella Townsend • Oct 31, 2025
Two botanicals revered for their immune-boosting, circulatory, & cognitive-enhancing properties

Two botanicals revered for their immune-boosting, circulatory, & cognitive-enhancing properties

Whether you’re looking to boost immunity, sharpen your mind, or restore balance, astragalus and ginkgo offer a gentle yet powerful synergy.

Marcella Townsend • Aug 24, 2025

Fresh Reads for You

Explore more

This is my 20% Bad

Try to live the 80/20 rule.

Marcella Townsend Jun 8, 2026

June 6, 2026 announcements & Congratulations to Class of 2026!

A couple of Announcements: 1. Yoga on June 6, 2026 is canceled due to multiple activities scheduled on this day. We wish all graduates big congratulations! 2. The upcoming Townsend Consignment Auction starts at 9 AM on June 13th! Come out & enjoy breakfast options by Puff's BBQ & find some deals! 3. I'm still taking consignments for the auction. Contact me (Raven Townsend) if you're wanting to consign. 4. Our warehouse barn in Mill Gap, VA is OPEN today, 11-5 PM! Congratulations to Class of 2026!

Marcella Townsend Jun 6, 2026

We are closed today, Friday (6/5/26), because of a funeral.

Our shop is closed today, Friday, but we'll be back tomorrow. Thank you

Marcella Townsend Jun 5, 2026

Johnny Depp's The People's Artist - Zeda Townsend Voting

Put an Artist from Highland County, Virginia into the final round!

Marcella Townsend Jun 4, 2026

Announcement: For this week only, we are closed on Friday, 6/5/26

Open Wednesday, Thursday, (Closed Friday), & Saturday 11-5 p.m. in Mill Gap, VA

Marcella Townsend Jun 3, 2026

Wormwood, Black Walnut, & Cloves Supplement, Vitamin E Capsules, & Pitta Dosha Balancing Incense

Read about bitter cleansing herbs, the benefits of Vitamin E, & Pitta-pacifying aromatics of sandalwood, jasmine, and rose.

Marcella Townsend May 27, 2026

Read About Our Featured Product: Spirulina - Nutritionally Dense Superfood

In Ayurvedic energetics, spirulina reads as sattvic and cooling: a Pitta-pacifier particularly well suited to the warming days of late spring and early summer.

Marcella Townsend May 26, 2026

    In Honor of Memorial Day, we are closed, 5/25/26

    We're closed today, 5/25/26.  

    Marcella Townsend May 25, 2026