Founder of Wooden Spoon Herbs

Lauren, tell us a little bit more about yourself. When and how did your interest on plant medicine begin?

Hi! I’ve always been deeply in love with plants and animals, just in awe of being alive in a body and seeing that in so many different forms. I got into herbalism specifically through an interest in wild foods, and then from there learning that these plants have been used medicinally for hundreds of years.

What is the Wooden Spoon Herbs’s mission and how does it translate into your products

Our mission is to be a conduit between the plant realm and your personal practice. We want to make herbalism accessible and easy for all. Through our product we’re able to get affordable, organic plant medicine into people’s hands and kitchens.

What is herbalism and how does it integrate into an everyday lifestyle?

Herbalism is simply using plants in a medicinal way. This can be cooking with basil, making lemon balm tea, or taking a tincture daily.

Tell us more about plant medicine. How is it different or part of Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a paradigm of herbal medicine, as it Ayurveda and Southern Folk Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses specific plants in their materia medica, but you can build your own materia medica that uses herbs from where you live.

Talking about your products. Are there any specific directions to know which product we will benefit from the most?

We recommend checking in and seeing how you’re feeling. Digestion off? Try Digestive Bitters. Wanting to kick coffee? Sub in our Herbal Coffee. Our products are all safe, gentle, effective, and always certified organic. We want to help you fill your medicine cabinet and kitchen with super delicious ways to incorporate herbs into your life.

WSH products are organized by season. Why is that? How do seasons affect us and how would that impact if we live a life with many travels?

As we travel through the wheel of the year, our needs change. Much like eating seasonally, we want to tailor our herbal regimen to each season. For example, in the winter we turn to immune support and warming herbs. In the summer we need bug repellent and cooling, hydrating herbs. You can also apply this to your travels, tailoring your regimen to your destination. Like, when I go to California, it’s so much drier than the humid south where I live, so I take moistening herbs that target my sinuses and lungs.

Tell us more about your newest product launch

My favorite new product is our Herbal Coffee. It’s 100% plants and tastes deep and roasty like coffee. It’s just as energizing, thanks to adaptogenic energizing maca. I love it with a little bit of frothed whole milk, like a herbal cafe au lait!

How big is the Wooden Spoon Herbs Team? Was finding the right team challenging?

We are in the process of building out the team, but it’s such a joy to find kind, warm, like-minded folks to support our vision and mission.

How do you see the future of medicine in 5 years? How would you like for Wooden Spoon Herbs to be part of it?

I think right now we’re seeing a plethora of reasons for supporting your health through herbs. I want Wooden Spoon Herbs to be a leading herbal brand that educates people on how and why to use herbs in a supportive, sustainable way. Longterm, I’d love to see more functional medicine integration and herbalists being able to accept insurance.

Where would you like to expand your company to? Do you envision going internationally?

We already sell all over the globe, with expanded EU distribution coming soon. We’re also looking to diversify and get into a bit more education around herbalism.

What's a regular day for you?

Lots of computer work, cooking healthy meals, matcha, research.

Given the current global pandemic, do you believe our society will shift in mindset towards a more holistic perspective?

I think we’ve already been seeing that over the past few years, but yes, absolutely I think people will be open to all sorts of alternatives.

You talk about “our innate desire as humans to be connected to the Earth”. Could you tell us more about this statement/view?

I think we all have that pull. There is so much healing to be found in nature, in slowing down.