The Fascinating Origin Story and Enduring Popularity of Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb Tea Blend

The Origin Story of Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb

In the early 1970s, a young pharmacist named Dr. Michael Stoner was working at a small apothecary in California. Dr. Stoner had an affinity for botanical remedies and liked to experiment with different herb combinations in his free time. One night, after closing up shop, Dr. Stoner decided to mix together a few of his favorite herbs - damiana, wild dagga, blue lotus, and Indian warrior - to create a soothing and relaxing tea blend. As soon as he sipped this unique concoction, Dr. Stoner knew he had crafted something special. The blend of herbs created a mild, pleasantly smoky flavor and left him feeling calm and content.

Creating the Smoky Herb Blend

Dr. Stoner began tweaking his original formula, carefully adjusting the ratios of each herb to perfect the flavor and effects. He discovered that by adding other herbs like mullein, lavender, and passionflower, he could enhance the blend's smooth, smoky taste. Dr. Stoner also found that varying the preparations of the herbs - using extracts versus raw cut herb, for example - would also change the final product. After months of meticulous experimentation, Dr. Stoner settled on a formula that he deemed his "smoky herb" blend.

To use the blend, he simply instructed people to infuse it in hot water to make a potent herbal tea. The resulting brew had a rich, earthy flavor with a hint of sweetness and a relaxing smoky aroma. After drinking the tea, people reported feeling mellow and stress-free - the perfect drink for unwinding after a long day.

Spreading the Word

Excited by his creation, Dr. Stoner began sharing samples of his smoky herb blend with friends and regular customers. The tea gained a cult following among hippies, artists, musicians and other alternative types who fell in love with its calming effects. As demand grew, Dr. Stoner decided to begin selling bags of the dried herb mixture in his apothecary.

Word spread, and soon people from all over California were stopping by Dr. Stoner's shop to pick up his now-famous smoky herb blend. Patrons raved about how the tea became a part of their daily relaxation rituals. The blend's popularity really soared when Rolling Stone magazine published a feature story hailing the smoky herb tea as "every hippie's new favorite brew."

Creating Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb Company

Realizing he had a hot product on his hands, Dr. Stoner decided to go into business full time producing and selling his smoky herb blend. He trademarked the name "Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb" and converted an old warehouse into a tea production facility. Dr. Stoner purchased high-quality organic herbs in bulk and hired a small staff to help hand-blend each batch of the tea.

Expanding Distribution

Initially, Dr. Stoner sold his product exclusively through his own apothecary and by mail order. But as orders increased, he reached out to health food stores, coffee shops, dispensaries and other retail outlets to carry the Smoky Herb blend. Within a couple years, Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb was being sold by hundreds of merchants across California and the western United States.

Dr. Stoner was careful about his product's branding, always emphasizing its roots as an artisanal tea blend crafted from fine botanicals. He resisted calls to make Smoky Herb into a mass-marketed item or to cut costs by using lower quality herbs. Dr. Stoner wanted to maintain the premium quality that made his blend so special.

Cultivating Mainstream Popularity

Despite its mild psychoactive effects, Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb tea gradually became popular across all segments of society. Its fans ranged from celebrities and executives looking to unwind after a stressful day to elderly insomniacs hoping to get some rest. Dr. Stoner's avoidance of marketing Smoky Herb specifically as a marijuana alternative helped it appeal to a wide customer base.

Of course, the blend remained especially beloved in the counterculture that first embraced it. But hippie health food stores and progressive cafes now sat side-by-side with upscale grocers and mall tea shops carrying Dr. Stoner's famous blend.

The Smoky Herb Phenomenon Today

Over the past 50 years, Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb has grown from a California curiosity to a global phenomenon. It is one of the most recognizable herbal tea brands in the world and continues to be made from Dr. Stoner's original blend of damiana, wild dagga, blue lotus and other herbs.

Mainstream Popularity

Smoky Herb's popularity has only continued to increase as new generations discover its relaxing charms. It long ago shed any stigma and is widely enjoyed both for its flavor and mild stress-relieving qualities. Dr. Stoner never imagined his backyard hobby would turn into a thriving international business.

New Products

While the original blend remains its flagship product, Dr. Stoner's company has innovated over the years. They now offer Smoky Herb in tea bags for convenience, as well as in extract form so customers can add a dropper full to drinks or foods. There is also a line of Smoky Herb-infused bath and body products that allow people to soak in its soothing essence.

Commitment to Quality

Despite modernizations to its production process, Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb still uses only organic, ethically-sourced herbs. Employees carefully hand-blend each batch and subject them to rigorous quality control testing. This artisanal approach ensures each cup of Smoky Herb tea provides the same relaxing experience Dr. Stoner intended when he first combined those herbs so many years ago.

For over 50 years, Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb has been a reliable and beloved tea brand. It's hard to imagine the herbal tea world without this iconic smoky blend. From hippies to housewives, stressed executives to restless insomniacs, Smoky Herb continues to be the go-to botanical brew for relaxation.

FAQs

What herbs are in Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb tea?

Dr. Stoner's original blend contains damiana, wild dagga, blue lotus, Indian warrior, lavender, mullein, and passionflower.

Is Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb tea psychoactive?

Yes, the blend has mild psychoactive effects that users report helps them feel relaxed and calm.

Where can I buy Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb tea?

The tea is sold online, in natural food stores, dispensaries, specialty tea shops, and mainstream grocers and retailers worldwide.

Does Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb come in teabags?

Yes, in addition to the original loose leaf form, the blend is also available in convenient teabags.

Is Dr. Stoner's Smoky Herb safe?

The blend uses only organic, natural herbs and is generally considered safe, but check with your doctor if you have concerns.