the herban lifestyle™ story

Once upon a time (back in the late 1990s/early 2000s), I had a handcrafted herbal bath and body product business in New England. I sold my all-natural lotions, masques, balms and oils at my local farmers market, as well as through my (primitive by today’s standards) online store. I delighted in the process of creating new products, and I took great pleasure in learning about the aromatherapeutic properties of essential oils and the healing properties of herbs. When people came to my house, they always commented on how wonderful it smelled. I did all this while working full time, raising my two daughters and working on my doctorate in psychology. I didn’t have much spare time, but I relished the moments when I was able to work on my herbal business – it provided me with a creative outlet and much needed stress-relief.

 

Then one day, I took a position in NYC, which made my days very long. I soon found that I had little time for my business. So, reluctantly, I let it go.

 

Over the years, people have inquired about my old herbal business, and I always responded that I hoped to resurrect it some day. I never let go of my herbal habit – I loved the process, and continued to make bath and body products for myself, family and friends.

 

I reside in the DC area now, working as a wellness consultant, facilitating the scientific review of cancer prevention programs. I’m learning to balance my urban lifestyle with healthful habits – mind, body and spirit – and I share this knowledge with others through my workshops and writing. Since moving to DC, as part of this balance, I began formal herbalism studies, and it occurred to me that this would be a great time to re-start my herbal bath and body product business. So, after several months of planning and formulating, I would like to introduce you to my new love child – Herban Lifestyle™.

 

my mission

• To create high-quality bath and body products that are handcrafted with natural, organic and Fair Trade ingredients, in attractive earth-friendly packaging, and infused with Love and Gratitude.

• To be a socially responsible business that contributes generously to charitable organizations, and volunteer my time and donate my products to local non-profit organizations for their fundraising and outreach efforts.

• To be an environmentally responsible business that makes every effort to keep my waste to a minimum, offset 100% of my carbon footprint, and to seek out suppliers and service providers who are committed to environmental stewardship.

• To source ingredients for my products from suppliers who ensure that their workers, and all those involved in the production of those ingredients, are treated fairly and humanely, for whom employment is freely chosen, who are allowed freedom of association, whose working conditions are safe and clean, and who are paid a fair wage, free from discrimination based on gender, race, religion or disability.

• To endorse the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and strive to buy only from suppliers who respect International Labour Organization conventions.

my promise

My products contain pure oils, essential oils and herbs, the majority of which are either certified organic, pesticide-free/chemical-free and/or ethically wildcrafted.

 

Because the substances that you apply to your skin get absorbed by your body, and because I care about your health and well being, I promise that Herban Lifestyle™ products will never, ever contain artificial preservatives, synthetics, artificial fragrances, artificial colors, petroleum-based ingredients, GMO's or any other stuff that’s bad for you.

 

Because I also care about the Earth’s health and well being, I donate 10% of gross sales to charity, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Sierra Club, March of Dimes, Hope for Haiti, Herb Research Foundation, Miriam’s Kitchen, Martha’s Table, Common Good City Farm, and Feeding America . All Herban Lifestyle™ products come packaged in recyclable containers. All of my labels are printed with vegetable ink on 100% recycled paper (minimum 30% post-consumer). I encourage you to recycle or reuse the container once you have used up your product.

 

welcome! And please feel free to contact me with questions or comments. Herban Lifestyle™, LLC, PO Box 408, Falls Church, VA 22040. (877) 380-3562

 

Mary K.

Chief Herban Developer