As a full-time solo traveler, I often get asked whether I struggle with loneliness or have trouble making friends in new places. While I can’t say I’ve had the same experience in each of the 11 countries I’ve been fortunate enough to visit in the past year and a half, I can confirm that regardless of language, culture, or time of year, I always know where to find my people: at local markets!
Take my encounter with Ana Yoali Wright as a case in point. I first met Yoali at the Campo Urbano Mercado Agroecológico, a lovely organic market held Wednesdays from 10 am to 4 pm in Mexico City’s vibrant Roma Sur neighborhood. Not only was I immediately captivated by the colorful products adorning her table, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much we had in common: we have similar first names, we had both recently returned from the same part of Vancouver, British Columbia, and we were both happy to have traded the chill and rain of East Van for the warmth and sunshine of Mexico City.
During our initial conversation, Yoali explained that the bright colors that first grabbed my attention weren’t just for the sake of packaging—they were directly related to the seven chakras, or energy centers that impact our mental and physical well-being. Through her project SanarTÉsana, Yoali offers 100% organic medicinal teas inspired by each chakra and made with plants from her garden in Tlayacapan, Morelos, as well as various farms in other regions of Mexico.
Something that immediately stood out to me about SanarTÉsana’s mission is that it goes beyond spreading awareness of the power of plants to heal our minds and bodies (which in and of itself is a noble endeavor!). In fact, rather than simply taking from the earth for the benefit of us mere mortals, Yoali and her collaborators actively give back to the planet by using ecological farming methods that promote clear air, water, and soil while preserving ancestral knowledge and demonstrating the importance of fostering our connection with nature in all its beauty.
Although SanarTÉsana exclusively uses Mexican plants in its medicinal tea blends, the project has been a cross-border collaboration between Yoali and her partner Luis Almazan since 2023. Originally from Mexico City, Luis has been based in Vancouver for over two decades. In 2020, drawing on his culinary arts training, visual effects industry background, and passion for preserving indigenous agricultural and cooking traditions, he founded Xinachtli, a food company specialized in transforming cacao and Vancouver-grown heirloom Tlaxcala corn into traditional foods and beverages like tortillas, mole, and pinole.
I had the pleasure of meeting Luis and reconnecting with Yoali a month after first learning about SanarTÉsana. Just like with Yoali, it didn’t take long to see how much Luis and I had in common, including shared Vancouver market vendor friends and acquaintances. In fact, those living in or visiting Vancouver should note that during the warmer months, Luis sells Xinachtli products and SanarTÉsana teas at the False Creek Farmers Market, Downtown Farmers Market, and UBC Farmers Market.
But I’ve got good news for anyone in Canada or Mexico: you don’t have to wait until Vancouver’s drier season or visit a local Mexican market to buy SanarTÉsana teas (though I would highly recommend taking the time to connect with Yoali and Luis in person if you have the chance!). Instead, you can get the teas shipped anywhere in either country.
For those in need of a thoughtful gift this holiday season, I highly recommend the Mini Tea Kit, which comes with one of each of the following aptly named blends:
💗 ConectaTÉ – designed to promote mental clarity and deeper connection, this grounding blend of lemon balm, chamomile, lavender, linden, and magnolia supports relaxation and meditative focus. It aligns with the Crown (Sahasrara) Chakra, which governs the brain, pituitary gland, and energetic body.
💜 RelajaTÉ – created in the aftermath of the 2017 Puebla earthquake, this calming blend of lemon balm, St. John’s wort, orange blossom, linden, magnolia, and yauhtli (an herb widely used in Aztec medicine and rituals) fosters deep rest, activates intuition, and relaxes both mind and body. It supports the Third Eye (Ajna) Chakra, which governs the endocrine system, pineal gland, and nervous system.
💙 EscuchaTÉ – featuring elderberry, licorice, sage, mullein, bougainvillea, calendula, and lemon balm, this blend encourages tuning inwards while protecting the vocal cords, improving breathing, and helping combat viruses and infections. It resonates with the Throat (Vishuddha) Chakra, which governs the thyroid, lymphatic system, lungs, bronchi, ears, and vocal cords.
💚 ApapachaTÉ – this nourishing infusion oxygenates and regenerates the respiratory system with mullein, caña fístula, calendula, bougainvillea, eucalyptus, yauhtli, and cuatecomate (a plant with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties). It nurtures the Heart (Anahata) Chakra, which governs the heart, lungs, liver, and the circulatory and immune systems.
💛 EmpoderaTÉ – combining lemon tea, fennel, guava leaves, mint, cempasúchil (Mexican marigold), and yauhtli, this empowering blend restores and revitalizes the digestive system. It uplifts the Solar Plexus (Manipura) Chakra, which governs the digestive system, pancreas, and gallbladder.
🧡 SienTÉ – this anti-inflammatory blend boosts presence and emotional harmony while balancing the reproductive system, thanks to yarrow, chamomile, calendula, lemon balm, and cempasúchil. It corresponds to the Sacral (Svadhisthana) Chakra, which governs the urinary system, spleen, ovaries, and prostate.
❤️ ActivaTÉ – drawing on muicle (Mexican honeysuckle), dandelion, cardamom, white sage, fennel, and mint, this energizing herbal mix strengthens the immune system and detoxifies the blood, liver, and kidneys. It nourishes the Root (Muladhara) Chakra, which governs the digestive system, adrenal glands, and spine.
It’s the perfect option for anyone looking to nourish their loved ones (or themselves) while supporting a meaningful project that promotes well-being and a deeper connection with the earth. What more could you ask for?
SanarTÉsana
Website: sanartesana.mx
Instagram: @sanartesana.te
Xinachtli
Website: xinachtli.ca
Instagram: xinachtli.cs
Market Hauls and Local Noms 