Season 6 Episode 11:
Coffee with Olatokunboh Obasi

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Episode Summary

In this episode about the abundant gifts of coffee, I speak with herbalist Olatokunboh Obasi. At the time of this episode, Ola was visiting family in Kenya, the birthplace of coffee. After listening to Ola’s profound appreciation for this lovely plant, I suspect you’ll never view coffee in quite the same way again! 

You’ll also receive access to Ola’s wonderful recipe for Coffee Scrub. (This would make a luscious holiday gift, too.)

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► Who should avoid coffee – and when (the answer may surprise you!)

► Why you may want to connect with your own ancestral plants

► Why it’s beneficial to know the history of the plants you work with

► How you can help to shine light on teacher’s teachers who aren’t widely known

For those of you who aren’t already familiar with her, Olatokunboh Obasi is the owner of Omaroti Salud y Bienestar, an apothecary and wellness space located in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Olatokunboh has been working in the wellness field for over 15 years. A yoga and dance instructor, clinical herbalist, nutritionist, and birth doula, she is committed to community holistic health, social justice, and education. Olatokunboh works heavily in community service and Afro Indigenous Medicine on the island and beyond. As a member of the American Herbalist Guild, she was the 2019 award recipient for her notable work in supporting diversity, equity, and justice in herbalism. Presently, she coordinates Herbalists without Borders International on the island of Boriken, providing community service to people in need.

She also trains local and online students in clinical herbalism and healing arts through her Well of Indigenous Wisdom School. A guest presenter and teacher of many conferences, she’s originally from Africa. Her travels around the world are extensive as she integrates traditional knowledge of herbs with her western education.

She received her Master’s of Science from Maryland University of Integrative Health. Olatokunboh is a mother of 3 young adults. She continues to learn from her children through challenge and tribulation as she shares her journey of life with them and the human family.

I’m so happy to share our conversation with you today!

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Would you prefer reading this episode? If so, click here to download a transcript.

Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, scroll down below.

Connect With Olatokunboh

• Olatokunboh’s website | WellOfIndigenousWisdom.com
• Caribbean Herbal Symposium | CaribbeanHerbalSymposium.com
• To support the Symposium with a donation | @caribbeanherbsympo
• Instagram | @omarotisaludybienestar
• Facebook | @omarotimedicinaindigena

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:09] Introduction to Olatokunboh Obasi
• [06:58] How Ola became an herbalist
• [10:18] Coffee is an herb
• [10:51] The history of coffee
• [12:31] Working with coffee medicinally and spiritually
• [14:37] Ola’s Coffee Scrub recipe
• [18:15] Tips for sourcing coffee
• [24:29] Closing thoughts about coffee
• [26:44] The Carribbean Herbal Symposium in February 2023
• [32:54] Well of Indigenous Wisdom school
• [42:26] How Ola likes to give back to the plants

Recipe

For smooth and glowing skin, this body scrub will add moisture and shine as well as smooth rough spots. It also serves as a good skin detox.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh ground coffee
• 1 cup fresh ground cacao
• 2-3 cups coconut oil, depending on exfoliation desire
• 10 drops Vanilla essence (or extract)
• 5 drops Almond essence (or extract)

Directions:

1. Grind coffee and mix with ground cacao.
   
   
2. Add coconut oil and stir well, so oil is well absorbed.
   
   
3. Add vanilla essence and a few drops of almond essence (optional). Stir well again.
   
   
4. Divide mixture among clean, dry 8-oz. glass jars and seal tightly.

-- TIMESTAMPS --

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 01:18 - Introduction to Olatokunboh Obasi
• 07:27 - How Ola became an herbalist
• 11:26 - Coffee is an herb (Coffea arabica, Coffea robusta, Coffea liberica)
• 11:59 - The history of coffee
• 13:41 - Working with coffee medicinally and spiritually
• 15:59 - Ola’s Coffee Scrub recipe
• 20:09 - Tips for sourcing coffee
• 26:50 - Closing thoughts about coffee
• 29:09 - The Carribbean Herbal Symposium in February 2023
• 35:40 - Well of Indigenous Wisdom school
• 45:22 - How Ola likes to give back to the plants

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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