On Nov. 20, Doane hosted its second “Stressless Workshop,” partnering with Intertribal Medicine Collective, an Indigenous-run wellness collective and apothecary based at the Lincoln Indian Center.
The event took place in the Perry Campus Center, featuring a variety of hot and cold teas for students and staff to enjoy. Felicia Welke and Erin Poor, who both work at the apothecary, led the workshop, sharing traditional ways of living and focusing on transforming communities, specifically Urban Native communities. Their teachings emphasized the use of traditional plants and herbs as medicine.
Each tea offered during the workshop came with explanations of its unique benefits. For example, orange peel tea aids digestion, boosts mood, and promotes healthy skin, while rooibos tea, grown in South Africa, supports heart health, improves digestion, reduces allergies, and enhances sleep. There were about eight cold teas available, along with one hot specialized anti-stress tea that could be sweetened with honey or agave.
Poor highlighted the importance of understanding that “making traditional medicine is an intuitive art. Each plant has a purpose and is thoughtfully crafted.” She also cautioned that some herbs can interact negatively with prescribed medications, advising participants to consult healthcare professionals before using new herbs into their daily lives.
During the session, attendees were asked to write down two things that stress them out.
“Stress is like a brick wall; it builds up,” Poor said.
Attendees were also encouraged to write two things that help them relax and post them on a board. This exercise showed that for every stressor, there is an opportunity to replace it with something positive, effectively removing stress like an exchange.
One stress reliever that wasn’t listed on the board was breathing and mindfulness, which Poor and Welke emphasized as powerful tools for relaxation. The group practiced proper breathing techniques: slow inhales through the nose followed by longer exhales through the mouth. They also guided participants to practice mindfulness by engaging with their tea, focusing on its smell, color, warmth, and taste. This allowed everyone to stay present in the moment, rather than thinking about stressors.
By the end of the workshop, attendees felt noticeably more relaxed. Welke and Poor graciously provided dried herbs and leaves for participants to make their own teas at home or gift to loved ones, along with lavender sachets.
When asked about essential oils, a topic that can be somewhat controversial, Welke explained that while they do not sell essential oils to the public, she personally uses them and has found them beneficial in her practice.
