Mama Sunshine Herbals

Mama Sunshine Herbals is a creative apothecary honouring plant medicine and indigenous wisdom. Everything is ethically and sustainable sourced, wildcrafted or organic.

Mama Sunshine Herbals came from years of reconnecting with the innate ancestral wisdom Mother Earth imparts on her daughters, while in a 100-year old apartment in downtown Los Angeles. My healing and transformation throughout my twenties was much informed by these studies. I read materia medica books on each herb, as well as went to numerous workshops - from Reishi Sound Baths to Flower Essences and even Herbal Astrology. I sat and listened on the highest mountains and brightest deserts. I learned different ways of knowing.

My products became a favorite among friends and were in a few boutiques around L.A. I was unsure as to if I wanted to make this into a consumeristic kind of thing, as the study of herbal medicine and rekindling this relationship to the earth will be a lifelong journey. But, I love the play and theory around formulating recipes so much! So, I finally designed labels (rather than typewriting everything) in the Fall of 2018 and launched an Etsy in early 2019.

The same year I officially finished my herbalist certificate in Alchemical Herbalism under Sajah Popham’s School of Evolutionary Herbalism (Oregon), and completed the Foundational Track in TCM from Michael and Leslie Tierra’s East West School of Planetary Herbology. I often attend Herbalist conferences to learn from our elders.

In 2020 I suddenly became I caregiver, and the shop went on hiatus. I learned it’s harder than I thought to let go of an allopathic perspective, although I was witnessing extreme trauma, rather than disease. Now, in summer of 2024, I am resurrecting Mama Sunshine Herbals in the hopes that I collaborate with a local grower, here in Charlottesville, Virginia that can look after our herbal allies that make up Mama Sunshine’s recipes.

Thank you so much for your support, and your camaraderie in the spirit of pausing, being, listening, and admiring this beautiful world. Cheers to the unknown!