Who I am
I grew up in a garden next to my mom, starting young pulling weeds and helping her harvest the fruits of her labor. I can remember eating fresh berries amongst a sea of green, as her garden was quite prolific. As a child, the garden felt magical and still does to this day. The smell of damp soil after watering that lingers in the air is something that feels like home. My early years spent in the garden transformed my view of the world, which I am forever grateful for.
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One of the first plants I learned about was Yarrow. I remember seeing it growing outside of my mom’s high tunnel some years back, and when I asked what it was, she told me it was Yarrow. She then proceeded to tell me how it can help with bug bites amongst many other things. This fueled the already existing fire from when I studied to be a Holistic Nutritionist a few years prior. Then another plant growing in the cracks of the driveway, one you’ve probably seen many times, Broadleaf Plantain. She told me how it was edible and had lots of other health benefits. Something that most people dismiss as a “pesty weed” had such healing characteristics with little to no side effects! So, the spiral began, and I started looking. Dandelions, a common yard flower, marketed as something to get rid of, have some of the most beneficial properties out there. From the flower to the roots, the whole plant offers us the versatility to heal ourselves in whatever way we need. Dandelion is highly nutritious and packed full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, with no harsh side effects. Reducing inflammation, helping manage blood sugar levels, cholesterol management, anti-carcinogenic, liver support, digestive aid, immune support, the list truly goes on.
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The passion that developed in childhood for wanting to understand how we can live symbiotically with plants as we are meant to, flooded over into my adulthood. So, I started creating. I first started in my little windowsill garden growing herbs. Those same herbs and flowers I started from seed have followed me around from one apartment to another for years (although the collection has grown quite a bit now). I grow all my herbs without any pesticides or chemicals, so I know they are their purest forms. I then harvest and hang them upside down to dry completely. After, I infuse the dried herbs in an organic oil (my personal favorites are Apricot Kernel Oil and Olive Oil) for four to six weeks in a dark cabinet. I then strain the plant matter, and bottle and use the oil in many ways.
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I first started by making Oil of Oregano and discovered how well it helped in preventing and lessening colds and cases of flu (amongst lots of other benefits Oregano provides). I am continuing to create and add products, such as my Dream Oil made with Mugwort and Chamomile that brings peaceful rest and vivid dreams. I am currently infusing my Nerve Ease Oil using Peppermint, Ginger, St John’s Wort, and Calendula to bring pain relief. A clearing Lymph Massage Oil made with Violet flowers, Cleavers, and Calendula will be ready soon as well! All my products use a combination of plants working together.
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My personal favorite is my Calendula and Chamomile Salve. The very first batch I made resulted in a harder consistency, almost like a bar instead. I was disappointed and thought the lady I had given it to would be unhappy. However, she responded and said that she had never had a product like it, and preferred the harder consistency for her eczema, she said it didn’t leave an oily residue like she thought since it was thicker but helped reduce her symptoms. Again, I believe plants know what we need more than we do usually, and if we learn to listen a little closer, we can unlock so much potential. I will continue to provide that consistency for her since that is what works best for her. However, I adjusted my balance to a smoother consistency, which was the traditional salve texture I was looking for. I again had reviews of how it brought healing relief to dry irritated skin, especially common symptoms with eczema. I use this product almost daily. I have watched it heal cuts overnight (literally!) and soothed chapped lips year-round.
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I think one of the most beautiful things about plants is how they allow us to be creative in the way we heal our bodies. They provide us with endless opportunities and ways to support our health. I love being able to use creativity and work together with plants as we have done for hundreds of thousands of years, to make products to support our health and not hurt it. Plants have power that is found deeply rooted in all of us, and the symbiotic relationship between us and the natural world around us only strengthens that connection. By using what we find in nature around us, we can help our bodies tap into their natural healing abilities. I feel an immense amount of gratitude to be able to witness and be a part of such a healing process.
