SAGAN DA LI - "The white wing that carries you" [a Buryat Herbal tea]

Sagan Da LI : a Buryat "magic" tea

Rhododendron adamsii is a small evergreen shrub with beautiful blooms native to the high mountains surrounding famous lake Baikal. It remains wild and has resisted cultivation and domestication attempts up to today. 

Our Sagan Da Li (complete: twig summit, leave and flower) is harvested wild, manually and sustainably by Buryat people, who treat it as a form of pruning keeping the plant vigorous. 

Different species of Rhododendrons have been known, since ancient times, from the Alps to the Himalayas, as powerful, medicinal and even, at times entheogenic plants (not this one, for the latter, though ;). 

Rhododendron adamsii has been mentioned in many central Asian medical treatises as adaptogenic, stimulating and tonic plant. It makes an excellent substitute to the morning coffee, in giving a nice boost without the aggressive effect of coffee on the digestive system. It has become a morning staple and favorite of mine.

In local medicinal systems, it is considered that Sagan Da Li's leaves and flowers possess the abilities to increase a man's vitality and potency, to awaken, uplift, focus, and strengthen physical and mental stamina, etc. It has been applied when general decline of living powers, headaches, chronic exhaustion, etc.

In local folk medicines of central asia Rhododendron adamsii is used  to cure heart, nervous and stomach illnesses, and also as diuretic, sweating and lowering fever agent. There is the widespread opinion  that it acts immediately  and holistically on the whole human mind-body system.

A delicate round flavor with raspberry notes and potent sensations

This plant is known in Central Asia under many names which reflect its importance for different people thanks to medicinal, ritual, and shamanic  properties widely recognized from Mongolia to Siberia and  Tibet.

Buryats call it “sagan-da-li”, which means "the white wing" (that carries you). The plant is also said to contain the spirit of the mountain.

In Russian language, one of the names is simply “flavorful tea”, as it is indeed, well... very flavorful : green notes evoking the invigorating meadows of the mountains around lake baikal, with added spicy, floral and fruity notes, the latter evoking delicious dried raspberries coated with a little tartness.

Local recommendations of use

As with all traditional pharmakeia it is wise to follow the cultural expertise that has developed over centuries.

Those are the recommendations I have received from local sources, users and experts : Rhododendron adamsii is a powerful tonic plant not to be used with excess. Not more than 2-3 times a day, and not close to bed time.

Sagan Da-li plant material can be used pure in hot water or can be added to any other herbal infusion or tea.

(indicatively : 5-6 pieces at a time, leave and / or flower)