I have a vivid memory of the moment when plants became something more to me then how they looked or what they tasted like. When I was a young girl my class went on a field trip to the hills where the Ohlone resided for thousands of years, I was 9 years old. We stopped under a big Oak tree with our guide and he picked several leaves from a vining plant under the oak, it was Yerba Buena. He put the herb in a big thermos of hot water and let it steep while he talked about the Ohlone tribes and how they used to travel up to the mountains certain times of the year to gather edible and medicinal plants. We then drank the tea in our small cups and it was at that moment when I felt something bigger than myself well up inside of me. There was an unseen connection that I couldn’t explain until I became older and began to understand and know who these plants are and how much they provide for our lives, physically, emotionally and spiritually. You could say that was the beginning of my fascination and respect for the plant world and my life long learning journey of how and what they provide for all beings on this Earth.
Hi, I am Nicole Larson, mother, wife, earth steward, maker, weaver, plant and animal lover, and curator of Živa Botanica. I have been studying herbal medicine for over 25 years, through various mentors, teachers, books and dirt time spent observing and practicing the subtle but significant changes plants can have on our health, from individuals to community. Živa Botanica comes from my desire to offer safe and effective remedies made from high quality ingredients using methods learned from years of experience.
Živa Botanica offers small batch herbal products made from plants, fungi and lichen that are respectfully gathered and wildcrafted among my home, which includes the beautiful moss laden forests, estuaries and meadows of the Salish Sea. If the herbs are not available locally, I source them from businesses that I respect who honor sustainable and ethical practices. Most of my offerings are based on seasonal plants so the inventory of each product is limited. As the seasons change so will the products.
Being able to directly connect with the plants that are used in these formulas allows me to create herbal products that are done with the upmost care, intention and knowledge of who the plant is. I source quality ingredients, making sure that the plants I gather are not sprayed, near pollutants or are in ecologically sensitive areas. All the menstruums I use are organic, these are the solvents that extract the medicinal constituents from the herbs, eg. Cane Alcohol, Vinegar, Oil and Vegetable Glycerin.
When harvesting plants I follow the Law of Reciprocity, making sure I do not over harvest any plant, fungi or lichen, and giving back by ensuring the continued growth and population of that species. We all depend on the Earth for our lives, it is wise to nourish and sustain that which feeds us and keeps us well.
Walk in Balance.