News at Townsend Draft Goods
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

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We're Gearing up for the Maple Fest with Mill Gap, VA Gear!

Mill Gap is Where it's At!

Marcella Townsend Feb 18, 2026

Wear Your Power. Sacred Jewelry Spotlight - Isis Goddess & Lapis Lazuli

Metaphysically, Isis is the keeper of sacred mysteries, the awakener of intuition, and the protector of spiritual seekers.

Marcella Townsend Feb 17, 2026

Magnesium & Vitamin D3: Your Everyday Wellness Essentials

Supporting both nutrients often leads to better energy, steadier mood, and improved overall wellness.

Marcella Townsend Feb 16, 2026

Blue Lotus Chai is at Townsend Draft Goods

Blue Lotus Chai is unsweetened with no milk powders, artificial ingredients, or preservatives. Non-GMO Certified, Gluten Free, and Vegan.

Marcella Townsend Feb 16, 2026

Happy Friday! Tomorrow is Valentine's Day

Get your Valentine a unique gift! Our warehouse barn is OPEN 11-5 p.m. every Wednesday - Saturday in Mill Gap.

Marcella Townsend Feb 13, 2026

Get your sweetie something unique - Just Like You - for Valentine's Day!

Be extra special and get your sweetie something extra-ordinary for V-Day. We're open Friday & Saturday 11-5 p.m. There's still time!

Marcella Townsend Feb 12, 2026

240 Capsules of MY SECRET

The amazing herbs in this formula have historically been used in assisting the body in promoting balanced hormones.  

Marcella Townsend Feb 7, 2026

Yoga class is canceled on Saturday, 2/7/26, due to the weather forecast!

Stay warm. Stay safe. See you soon!

Marcella Townsend Feb 6, 2026