TG: How did Plantas For The People start and What is the story behind the Name?
JW: The name Plantas For The People came from the idea that the spirit/essence of the plants can bring so much healing + transformation in one’s life and journey that I wanted to bring plants to the people. To parents, babies, community, elders. If the plants I grew brought so much healing and love to my life, what could I bring to others through this? It’s my offering, and it’s what my spirit led me to.
How does this work you do align with that self-care and compassion you so gracefully shared with us?
Faith over fear. Integrity. That might look like turning off my phone, leaving messages unread, tending to my kid’s needs first so they can relax and I can do what I need to do. Not getting upset if I don’t accomplish everything I need to do in one day. Gratitude for the things I did and can get done in that moment. Then I put that same energy back into my products and my plants so I can pass this energy on to the next person.
You are a Doula, can you talk about this a bit?
Birth is a ceremony and is one of the most spiritual transitions in a person’s life, they should be able to birth the way they want to, or at least be supported. It is time to change the stories about how we give birth. But I don’t just support natural births, I’m a full spectrum doula. I support, home births, hospital births (natural, or medicated), c-sections, abortions, miscarriages, OB/GYN visits.
What are some of your rituals or routines you do to make sure your products are at their highest vibrational form?
Ritual is part of my whole Bolivian culture. We pray to the sun, the moon, the earth, the spirits of the mountains, our ancestors. Life is a ritual itself even down to the seeds we plant being offerings to Pachamama.
I let the plants and recipes come to me in dreams and let me know they are ready to be harvested or worked with. I always offer something to the plant when I harvest any part. Intention and integrity come first when doing this work.
What's your favorite product that you like? Your sons?
I have my own personal relationship with each product, but I’m in love with Agua De Ruda. It’s a spiritual cologne that is added to spiritual baths, floor washes, altar offerings or can be used on the body.
Where do you source your ingredients?
I grow all of the plants myself, either from clippings of other plants or seeds I’ve exchanged with a lot of people along this journey. I save each seed at the end of the season. This is an extremely intimate process because I start it all from seed, harvest it myself, store it, and then make medicine with it. Any alcohol I use is either imported from Haiti from my partner or Bolivia. Even the honey comes from the bees down the block from me.
If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?
I would tell her you are that bitch! Don’t let anyone discourage or tell you otherwise. Don’t worry about being different, don’t worry about being judged, don’t fear depression, don’t fear being alone. You’ll realize that this pain is bringing experience, it’s providing layers to your soul, strengthening your mind, sharpening your focus. It’ll push you to places and situations you wouldn’t even believe you’d have the confidence to face.
