As an herbalist and holistic educator, I am deeply committed to uplifting humanity through the transformative power of plants. My journey into herbalism was profoundly shaped by personal experiences within my family. Growing up, I witnessed the challenges of caring for my autistic brother, which ignited my interest in understanding how plant medicine could improve the well-being of neurodivergent individuals. This ignited a lifelong interest in to exploring the biopsychology of ingestive behavior and its impact on the autistic community.
Later in life, while in my final year of college, I faced my own health struggles, including the development of polycystic ovary syndrome. Rather than relying on conventional treatments, I turned to holistic healing methods and successfully healed myself through natural remedies and lifestyle changes. This experience helped me discover the benefits of tea and reinforced my passion for plant-based wellness. I trained in the art of tea formulation and blending and fell in love with the craft. This skill would prove to be invaluable when I became a mother a few years later.
As a mother of two boys, I was yet faced with another health challenge when my firstborn son was diagnosed with piebaldism, a condition causing patches of skin to lose pigmentation. Determined to heal him, I used a combination of specialized diets and herbal treatments, eventually seeing his discoloration fill in. These personal healing testimonies solidified my belief in the power of the body's miraculous ability to heal itself with plant help.
Inspired by my family's agricultural roots in Mississippi and ancestral practices that were disrupted by displacement and environmental racism, I embarked on a mission to reconnect with the land. Through intensive study and apprenticeships in urban farming, clinical and spiritual herbalism, I developed a deeper understanding of plant medicine’s ability to heal not just the body, but the mind and spirit as well.
After more than five years of working in alternative health, my mother and I co-founded Roots + Fire Water Co., a passion project dedicated to creating healthier homes and communities through herbal teas. Our RFW teahouse, offers a range of healing modalities, including our trademarked Fire Water Teas—blends that draw on both ancestral recipes and my extensive knowledge of herbal medicine.
My goal is to increase access to tea, plant-based remedies, and organic foods, particularly in underserved communities, and to nurture a deeper connection between people and the natural world. Through studying the cultural influences on healing, I'll continue to explore the ways in which plants can positively impact physical and mental health, with a special focus on their therapeutic potential within the autistic community.
