Tell us a little about your background
I am from northern Arizona, the Tonto National Forest Area, and grew up in a small community called Whispering Pines. There is a large indigenous community there, the Apache and Navajo Native Americans. As a child I really listened to the pines, trees communicate with you if you listen carefully. I moved to Colorado about twenty years ago, I was a single mother and wanted better educational opportunities for all three of us. I attended the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism about four years ago and received my certificate in Fundamentals of Medical Herbalism. I have been a practicing professional herbalist ever since. I mentioned my own company next to it Herbal vice. An important part of my business is growing the herbs I use for my herbal preparations. The reason I do that is because I like to practice bioregional herbal medicine to really connect the whole circle. From growing a Calendula seed to making an infused Calendula oil, you really get to know the plant and what it is good for and you make powerful herbal preparations.
What is your role at WishGarden?
I am the Purchasing and Purchasing Manager. From a day-to-day perspective, I work to find sustainable sources of raw materials for WishGarden to create our beautiful tinctures. I work closely with farmers and wild artisans in the industry. Everything starts with sourcing – it’s the square. I ensure that suppliers not only grow the products correctly, but also dry them correctly, so that they meet our quality specifications. I make sure we use material that does not contain bacteria or other nasty organisms that can cause side effects.
Tell us more about your process and how you ensure WishGarden resources are sustainable
WishGarden has practiced sustainable sourcing for decades, so it’s quite easy for me to find a sustainably cultivated or wild-grown herb. But times are changing in the sector. Half of my work consists of research: what is the sustainability of the plant and where is it grown? How does it affect the ecosystem? I develop strong relationships with whoever grows the plant. I have farmers who call me directly on my cell phone if they have questions about paperwork or an herb we might need in the fall. We always think ahead. I feel fortunate that our leadership team supports me in our sustainability efforts.
Recently I found myself looking at the United Plant Savers list to identify high-risk species to be aware of. If a plant is at “critical risk”, we stay away from it. The United Plant Savers list is updated regularly and as it is updated, we aim to eliminate any herbs that are no longer sustainably available. For example, we recently looked at our birth doctor’s formulas and a few herbs in those formulas are no longer sustainable to purchase. Our research and development team is committed to phasing it out completely due to the population risk. These types of cases can cause a snowball effect when it comes to reformulations, but it is a brand pillar of ours and we stick to it. Once I have verified the sustainability of an herb and its origins, we prioritize domestic sourcing as a means to reduce our environmental footprint. Is there an organic farmer I can work with for our annual needs? We not only do our part in the fight against climate change, but also support local farmers.
I have found that sustainability efforts are most successful when you educate people about climate change and its effect on biodiversity. It is not only in the interest of the planet, but also of business. If we don’t protect our resources now, we will have no future. Act quickly!
What do you think is the biggest threat to sustainability in this sector?
The biggest threat to sustainability in this sector is that people overlook the vulnerability of plants and continue to support people who grow endangered plants wildly and companies that accept that material. As much as we need plants, they want us to be more aware of their sustainability and biodiversity. For example, you can hire a wildcrafter to obtain 100 pounds of Osha, but that is the most unethical practice at the moment because Osha is at risk from overharvesting. It is important to work with farmers who grow Osha and support their efforts to keep this wild population alive.
Is there any good news? What positive trends do you see?
The good news is that we have a generation that is changing the way people sell goods. We are changing the industry with our purchasing behavior. We are in the information age and there is more education and awareness about business practices and their effects on the planet and its species. 65% of consumers research a company before purchasing a product. In other words, Millennials and the younger generations care! Regardless of values, companies will have no choice but to do the right thing: join in or be left behind.
What is your favorite part about working at WishGarden?
My favorite part is that it’s a family business, so there’s a lot of room to be creative. I can be creative in setting up an office pharmacy, writing a blog about forestry or any other topic I am passionate about. We are relaxed and have room to learn, but also have responsibility. I feel like my opinion is respected and examined.
What is your spirit herb?
Yarrow, Achillea millefolium. I feel so connected to Yarrow because it is known as the survivor herb. It is widely used in first aid. It grows abundantly in the Rocky Mountain region and the leaves can be used as a poultice for the skin. I relate to it because I was a single mother in my twenties and I had to learn survival skills when I moved to the city. Yarrow is resilient. You can see it growing in concrete, that’s part of its medicine: its resilience to adapt. I am resilient, just like Yarrow.
Lauren Ann Nichols-Sheffler attended the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism and received her certificate in Medical Herbalism. She owns it Blue yarrow herbs also known as Herbal Vice, an herbal product company that practices bioregional herbal medicine by growing plants and sourcing locally. Lauren loves educating and advocating for plant sustainability. She is the purchasing and sourcing manager for WishGarden Herbs.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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