Tyaskin farm specializes in teas and more
To the untrained eye in January, the garden at Habanera Farm doesn't look like much.
But over the last decade, the quiet property in Tyaskin has blossomed into a full-fledged tea farm and wellness center, giving people a reason to venture off Route 13. Its owners, Henriette den Ouden and Chris Himmel, help clients work toward obtaining a more holistic approach to life, through a number of mind and body courses and their homemade herbal teas.
The one of a kind Wicomico County farm was recently featured in a segment on Maryland Public Television's series "Maryland Farm & Harvest," which aired Tuesday, Jan. 17. The owners of Habanera Farm had never heard of the segment, and its producers were unfamiliar with them as well, until last fall.
"We were selling our teas at a festival in Washington D.C. and, coincidentally, sold a package to one of the producers," said Himmel. "He loved it and asked if we wanted to be featured."
About four million viewers have tuned-in since the show's debut in 2013. The special MPT series travels across the state to put a human face on Maryland agriculture, telling stories of the people, skills and technology required to sustain and grow the state’s number one industry.
Al Spoler, the show's host, looked at how the women behind Habanera Farm produce as many as 12 varieties of tea in their backyard.
In addition to homemade herbal teas, which they sell at local farmer's markets, festivals and in eclectic eateries and shops like Main Roots Coffee in downtown Salisbury, den Ouden and Himmel offer their 21-acre home as a special retreat for clients looking for a more holistic approach to health.
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While nearly 10 acres of their property is dedicated to the tea operation, a little more than eight acres of woods serve as an outdoor classroom for Himmel, who specializes in grief recovery, spiritual and wellness coaching. The path in the woods allows clients to experience themselves through the seasons.
"You will loose all momentum in life if you do not pause," said Himmel. "Nature knows this. That is why there is winter."
She explained when lifestyles become too busy, symptoms of stress, fatigue, depression and insomnia occur. And that's where den Ouden's work in herbal medicine comes in. In addition to signature blends, she creates custom teas and tinctures for her clients.
Herbalism, an ancient medicine practice that carries with it the wisdom of the ages, can be used to treat many of the common maladies and disorders of modern times, den Ouden said.
To begin the tea making process, she snips and and washes various herbs, and then places them in — as far as the women know — the nation's first solar thermal herb dryer. Drying can take as long as three days for plants with a lot of essential oil.
Once the herbs are dried, they are broken down and mixed in batches, using den Ouden's mother's silver spoon. She keeps notes and records for each batch, labeling the bags they go into.
Each blend has its own purpose and every herb grown on the property has at least one medicinal quality; lemon balm is especially effective in calming hyperactive children; motherwort, known for centuries as the mother’s herb, can calm anxiety, ease menstrual issues, and aids the heart; holy basil, a member of the mint family is used for its powerful positive effects on the mind, body and spirit.
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Many clients see den Ouden for food related issues, such as acid reflux and poor digestion.
Clients also frequently ask for help in reducing daily regimens of prescription drugs for issues like thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances, diabetes and Lyme disease.
She even has remedies for common ailments like allergies and the flu, and treats patients with cancer by providing herbal additions to strengthen their immune systems while undergoing traditional cancer treatments.
Laura Davis, a client of den Ouden's for six years, said her recipes have "worked wonders."
"When I said I was suffering from migraines, not only did Henriette make me a variety of teas, but she asked me what was going on in my life," she said. "Turns out, quite a lot ... much more than I was consciously recognizing. It wasn't until I relaxed and opened up that the migraines went away."
The majority of healing ingredients come from den Ouden and Himmel's backyard garden, although certain things either won't grow in Tyaskin or are difficult to grow there in large enough quantities.
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"Out here, we are at sea level and certain plants are not happy about that," den Ouden said, adding they have a few farmers throughout Delmarva who help them grow tea leaves and lavender.
In the future, den Ouden and Himmel would like to move toward a completely organic operation and intend to continue expanding their brand and practices throughout the region.
For a complete list of services offered, a personal consult, or more information, visit Habanera Farm’s website or call 410-873-2953.
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