When I first met Lauren at one of our patio pop up markets this summer, I was immediately drawn to her concept of using locally grown ingredients and harvesting most of the ingredients in her products from her garden.
I purchased a Solar Eclipse Body Glow Oil and a Secret Garden Hydrosol. I couldn't believe the difference it made in my skin, I loved the way it smelled and how it made me feel. I wanted to learn more about her process! I invited Lauren to come to Let Em Have It and talk about her products and how they are made.
It was a wonderfully informative class and I thought how perfect her products would be in our Zero Waste Box subscriptions we're launching this November!
I enjoy the opportunity to promote and support fellow local owned women businesses, that are doing their part to make a positive impact on the world.
-Fallene
Learn more about Lauren in our interview below, if you're interested in learning more about our Zero Waste Box Subscription sign up here.
What are you known for in the Denver community?
I’m known as the village herbalist and Denver is my village. People have looked to medicine women for thousands of years and it’s not any different now. What is different is that modern medicine women are no longer burned at the stake.
I specialize in hand crafting herbal skincare from plants I grow in my garden. I’m a bioregional herbalist. I use herbs and materials native to our region to lessen the carbon footprint my business may place on our earth.
What inspired you to get into your passion?
Plants have always been my teacher, my mentor, and my passion. At times, I feel more connected to plants than humans! Yarrow or Achillea millifolium called me to work with them when I was hiking in the Rocky Mountains one day years ago. I harvested a handful of fresh, beautiful, yarrow and carefully took it home where I made botanical oil. I was hooked on working with plants from that moment on; it became my Herbal Vice.
What advice do you wish you could give your younger self?
Ohhh my, if I could give my younger self advice? I would tell myself to listen to my mother more and to be more confident.
What kind of impact are you hoping to make in our world?
I hope to impact the world by teaching people how to respect biodiversity. Through my work with Herbal Vice, I hope to connect people and plants so they can understand how powerful they are. Our ecological relationship with plants begins when we appreciate our regional plant varieties.
What are your hobbies?
I love to garden, harvest wildflowers, and discuss the patriarchy’s downfall.
What are your favorite forms of self care?
My favorite self-care rituals are eating healthy fresh food and dancing with my friends.
Where are you from?
I am from a community called Whispering Pines in Northern Arizona.
What is one of the greatest lessons you’ve learned in life?
The greatest lesson I have learned is to live in the moment and kiss your loved ones whenever you get the chance, because another day is not promised.