The Process with Herbalist Lauren Haynes
Have you ever wondered what goes into creating a skin care product, a breast oil no less? Tune in to this series, The Process, to learn how these incredible products come to be.
Meet Lauren Haynes, Wooden Spoon Herbs founder and clinical herbalist. Lauren came to plant medicine via an interest in the counterculture, the counter-cuisine of wild foods, fermentation and eating food fresh from the ground.
She stumbled into medicinal plants by way of deeply nourishing wild foods, and was immediately under their spell. She began her plant journey in 2013 by reading every herbalism book from the 70’s she could find.
After this core curriculum, she dove into a rigorous three-year formal study of herbalism at the Appalachian Center for Natural Health. Lauren began crafting herbal medicines by hand in a converted greenhouse within the lush backdrop of the Appalachian foothills, and all the medicinal plants tucked in woods. Lauren’s studies are centered in folk healing, which inspires her deep trust in nature and her medicine making approach: accessible, easy-to-use, and effective.
Very few skin care brands create breast oils. Why did you decide to create yours?
Precisely for that reason! It's a part of wellness that's so often overlooked.
You use some truly wonderful ingredients: violet leaf, red clover, calendula, yarrow and almond oil. Why did you choose the ingredients that you used?
The chest area is full of lymph vessels. Unlike the circulatory system, which has the heart to pump it around, the lymphatic system is only moved by movement or massage. These lymphatic herbs thin the lymph so that it moves more easily. When infused into an oil that requires touch for application, it helps move the lymph all over the chest, which is it's final destination before it empties into the circulatory system for it's "toxins" to be removed and excreted.
What went into creating the breast oil ? What was this process like?
It's fairly simple, and anyone at home can do it! You just steep the herbs in oil for two weeks, keeping it warm enough to infuse but not hot. Then you strain and use. You can also add essential oils if you like, but I like to keep things very simple.
What are your breast care rituals?
Massage several times a week, checking to make sure they feel good and there are no strange lumps. This also helps with my anxiety, which many people hold in their chest, and can be alleviated somewhat by moving the lymph around - the waters of the body, our emotion.
How do you celebrate and nurture yourself?
A walk in the woods, a surprise day off, a good book!
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The Breast Oil is currently unavailable, however, while we keep an eye out for it’s return, the Earth Ship tea is filled with breast supporting herbs such as nettle and red clover. The Tulsi Magnesium spray is also a wonderful addition to any breast oil.