Nick Nowaczyk knows he’s not reinventing the wheel with his new tea company, Urbal Tea, but he does hope to reach as many people as possible who are not already in the know about the health benefits of ingesting herbs.

"We want to bridge the gap between urban society and herbal health," says Nowaczyk. "There are a lot of people who haven’t been exposed to all the benefits yet."

The name, Urbal, is a play on words, combing the words "urban" and "herbal."

Nowaczyk – along with business partner Nick Kowalski – started the business a couple of years ago and sold his tea at festivals and farmers markets. In January 2014, tea blending morphed from a hobby to a full-time venture.

Today, Nowaczyk and Kowalski have a licensed kitchen in West Allis and Urbal Tea is available at most of the Sendik’s stores, Good Harvest Market and Beans and Barley. It is also available online.

"We are currently working with restaurants and cafes," says Nowaczyk. "Our goal is to grow our business as much as we can."

Nowaczyk, who was born in Green Bay and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, worked as an apprentice under a Madison-based herbalist for more than a year.

"Herbs have been used for centuries as medicine," he says. "Many prescription drugs derive from herbs. I believe the world continues to evolve and become more interested in alternative health remedies."

During his time as an apprentice, Nowaczyk mastered herbalism and found a deep connection between humans, plants and health.

"Plants and humans have a mutually beneficial relationship," he says. "Plants were put on this earth, in part, to be used as medicine for humans."

Nowaczyk also has a professional history working with underserved and mentally ill teens, which also inspired his mission to share the benefits of herbs with the masses.

Urbal Tea has 18 blends divided into three categories: herbal, wellness and apothecary. The herbals are overall beneficial and can be consumed every day. Wellness teas are more specific – The Brain Buster, for example, helps with focus and clarity. The apothecary teas are even stronger and more medicinal.

All of the herbs are organic and many are sourced from Wisconsin-based farmers. Available blends include Peach Rooibis, Kiwi Strawberry Energy, Cran-Apple Detox, Berry well, Equilibrium and Apple Hibiscus.

Urbal teas are sold in three-serving introductory packs, three-ounce quantities or in bulk. The price is under $4 per ounce.

"This is very reasonable for this quality of tea," says Nowaczyk. "We keep our tea at a cost point that allows anyone to try it and to be able to drink it everyday if they choose."

Most importantly, Nowaczyk hopes to educate people on the proactive health measure tea offers.

"There are a lot of things the body does not get in an everyday diet," he says. "Our teas are gentle, but they help to fuel and provide the nutrients needed for the body to heal itself and, more importantly, to be preventative so the body doesn’t get sick in the first place. That’s why our tagline is ‘healing with herbs.’"