We recently connected with Lauren Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Lauren, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?
My first job in the field began before I knew what I was doing, or what I wanted to be. It began at the tender age of 1. My older brother who was eight at the time had been hit by a car when he was riding his bike. My mom needed all the help she could get. If there werent pictures of me to prove it, I would hardly remember it. Helping my mom dress wounds, pushing a wheelchair, helping to feed my brother; who at the time was learning to feed himself again. Taking care of someone else became second nature at such a young age that I knew taking care of others is what I wanted to do when I grew up, I just didnt know how I wanted to take care of others.
At the age of tweleve I was unexpectedly put into another caregiver position. This time it was for both my brothers and my mother. On a warm summer July evening our lives unexpectedly changed, with the death of my father. My mother, widowed, and again needing all the help she could get. It was only natural that I stepped up to the plate. Making meals, helping my little brother with his homework, babysitting my nephew, helping my mom make funeral arangements. I remember sitting on my neighbor’s porch who I also babysat for at the time, suggested that I should become a nurse, because it was very similar to what I was doing as a young girl. With only a few short years till graduating school, becoming a nurse became a real thought. Of course, as the years went by, life took me on a different path.
My first job in the field working with the plants was as a garden hand. I was very excited, because as I got older, I always wanted to be outside, in the garden. During the experience of loosing my father, I found infinite solace in nature, not only solace, but my own spirituality and truth. My dad and I use to fish early in the morning, so being near the water at dawn has always been one of my favorite places. Being in nature made me feel connected and alive, so when I got hired as a garden hand, I couldnt believe my dream was coming true! I wanted to work and give back to nature, because nature gave me so much. Coming from a family of farmers and gardeners, I was extremely lucky, and got hired by family who loved the craft, and wanted to teach it. The time I spent with these people is invaluable to me, because I know in my heart I learned things, that I will never learn in any text book, or class.
Because of my time in nature, plants have always be extremely fascinating to me. They are all so different, just like us humans; with different needs, wants and demands. I began hands on, from learning the soil, and how to regenerate the soil, to starting seeds, and transplanting, to harvesting and processing the plant. At the time my favorite part was watching the seed germinate and achieve it’s first set of true leaves, today I could not pick my favorite part of the process, because there is so much beauty in watching the plant develop, grow and transform.
At times being a garden hand was an overwhelming task, because some plants were extremely finicky, some required special lighting, or demanded specific distance between the seed germinating and the lighting itself. Some plants demand different nutrients to flourish, some request much less, or even none at all, and prefer poor soil (which was fun learning.) Although there was much trial and error during these years, without all of the struggle of getting to know the plants, and how to nuture them, I don’t believe I would have grasped or truly comprehended one of the best gifts that being in the garden gave me, which is patience while learning how to to listen to the plants. Learning to listen to the plants, this concept can’t be taught by a mentor, or out of a book. It’s simply remembrance, and it comes from having a connection with nature. From my door of perception, looking back, I cant help but chuckle, because although a garden hard isnt the most glamorizing job, I now know it was exactly where I needed to be, in order to be where I am today.
Lauren, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Four years after I began my journey as a garden hand, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I don’t know how to explain it, except when I became pregnant with my daughter a light switched on. Her wellbeing became my priority. I became a detective if you will, like any other expecting mother. My thoughts were filled with the pregnancy. I was thinking about the gender of the child, and what the baby would look like. I even remember getting excited about the simpler things, such as, watching her enjoy her first slice of pizza. Reading pregnancy books, and researching the latest, greatest, and safest, car seats and strollers. I took everything seriously, even down to what I was being voluntarily and involuntarily exposed too. From personal care products, to cleaning products, you name it, any potential toxin, I wanted to know about so, I researched it. I began filtering my water and removing any potential hazards to the development of human health. Everything was organic in my house, down to the ketchup on a french fry. While we were creating the perfect environment for her to the best of our ability, little did I know I would be facing one of the toughest battles of my young adult life.
After a healthy and successful full term pregnancy with absolutely no complications, and a very easy birth; I faced one of the most difficult situations of my yound adult life. An infant with anaphylactic food allergies. I wish the diagnosis of the food allergies was as simple as I made it seem, unfortunately, it wasn’t. For months my daughter went misdiagnosed. Luckily, by the grace of what can only be God saved her life. By her reactions (at the time) not being severe enough to cause any potential life threatening outcomes.
**Dear reader, before diving further I want to make one thing very clear. In no way is the word misdiagnoses meant to bash traditional medicine, or deter anyone from seeking tradtional medical care. The reason I mention this is because it is truly apart of my daughter’s journey. If it wasnt for this part, and my intuition, I dont believe I would be here today, and it is also apart of my spiritual journey of how I found my truth. Because, looking back on my daughters experience, it truly is is nothing short of a miracle, from the glory of God. Because now I know the food I was consuming, and therefore she was consuming via breastmilk, was causing an allergic reaction in her. And unfortunately, at that point in time, it was labeled simply as eczema. Her story isnt to point out the flaws of that system, its to show you how it can in fact be lifesaving when used correctly. For instance, the avoidance of that specfic food, and or/ epi-pen. In her specific case, it was was a proper diagnosis we needed to keep her healthy. Luckily, miracle, after miracle. We got just that.
In Nov of 2010, my daughter was born healthy, alert, and active. In 2011, just a few short months after I gave birth; she began experiencing “episodes” of patchy, red, inflamed, hive rash- like, skin. Her skin would swell and cause pain, (at the time I didn’t realize these were hives and she was having an allergic reaction. I thought it was eczema like the medical professional diagnosed her with.) When we discussed these issues with her doctor at the time, he explained that “babies under one don’t develop food allergies, and that it was eczema.” I was sent off to the pharmacy with a topical steroid prescription. At the time I didn’t think much of it, I was 21 when I had her, I was young, and I thought I was doing everything I possibly could for her wellbeing at the time.
The prescription was filled, and I began applying the steroid cream as directed, at times it appeared that her skin was clearing up, but then out of nowhere this head-to-toe hive like rash would appear and the directions to the prescription clearly stated not to apply to large arears of the body. My daughter who was four months old at the time, began to truly suffer, constantly itching her skin, the mittens you put over their tiny little hands wouldn’t stop her either. Suffering from her symptoms, with no way to verbally express it, and wrongfully misdiagnosed, her symptoms began to grow worse.
It wasn’t until she contracted a respiratory virus, and she wasn’t eating much. Her skin cleared up, and we began finally connecting the dots. My husband, Ivory’s father suggested that it was food allergies. He was determined and brave and demanded the doctors do blood work.
Every sign was pointing to food allergies, yet I kept telling myself what the medical professional told her dad and I: “babies under one don’t get food allergies”. We immediately booked a doctor’s appointment and asked how this could possibly be? Since allegedly, infants under one don’t develop food allergies? We demanded blood work for her, to confirm or deny food allergies. Three days later the lab tech, the doctor, and our family, were all stunned. A four-month-old baby with Ige levels off the charts, and confirmed anaphylactic food allergies.
Anaphylactic allergies to dairy, gluten, peanuts, soy, egg, and all nuts. We were prescribed an epi-pen, briefly taught how to use it, and sent home. Plan? Avoid the foods listed above and use the epi-pen if she comes into contact with any of it. Well, of course she was exposed, because I consumed those foods, and therefore it was in my breastmilk. Unfortunately the elimination diet didn’t work and she was still had reactions. To quickly solve this problem, a special formula was prescribed. This formula was extremely expensive, and hard to find locally. I did as directed, because this formula didn’t make her break out. She was eating, she was happy and that’s all that mattered to us.
I was young, and overwhelmed, looking for solace, so I went back to the garden for guidance. That’s where I met calendula again, but on a deeper level, and the rest truly followed after that. I had a fairly good grasp on how to grow the plant, so I began reading herbal books. I wanted to know the plant inside and out. What did the active constituents mean, what were they capable of doing? How can I incorporate them into our life? I began making a very simple calendula salve and was stunned by how fast she positively responded to this very simple, home-grown, and home-made salve. That day, almost fourteen years ago now, my business was born; I just didn’t know it at the time.
Because of her health and the medications she may or may not have to take. Contraindications and safety became my biggest concern. I began home study with The Science and Art of Herbalism. I love to read, and have been fortunate enough to read and own medical books, and herbal books from the 18th and 19th centuries. I became particularly interested in Nicholas Culpeper, Dr. Fenger, The Eclectic Doctors of America, and Rosemary Gladstar. I realized my studies wouldn’t stop there, and that I would have to actively study any possible contraindications due to my daughter’s health. A few years after finishing The Science and Art of Herbalism, I continued my education with an advanced herbalism course, later I became certified in reading functional blood work; to better serve my clients. I began studying pharmacology and phytotherapy, anatomy and physiology, so I would have a general understanding of the interactions that may or may not occur when working with people and plants.
If I would have “settled” and never listened to the gentle whisper of my intuition telling me “you aren’t getting all of the answers your daughter needs”. I don’t know where we would be today. One of the things I am most proud of is not allowing our experience to turn me bitter, or angry. I let it fuel a desire for learning. Therefore, bringing me to another aspect of my life that I am proud of, which is my studies, furthering my education taught me even more invaluable lessons, that looking back on now; you just cannot learn from working in the garden. It taught me how important it is to incorporate both systems. It taught me that we are not seperate from eachother, we simply compliment eachother.
The products I was making were showing tangible results for my daughter. Friends and family wanted to know how and why? I began to realize; a lot of other parents were in the same boat as we were. Misdiagnosed, confused, and sent home with a prescription with side effects that are potentially worse than the original ailment. The products that originally began helping only my daughter, were now helping other children and adults.
Which brings me full circle, to the current day, and the work I do that sets me apart from others as an herbal practitioner and herbal educator, at Sacred Infusions Apothecary. It wasn’t until I had a friend watch the process of me working, to realize I was doing things a bit differently. Not only was I concerned with the quality of the plant material and the quality of the ingredients, but also the energy of the human creating the product, and the energy of the space where the product was created became a top priority to me. Everything is energy, our thoughts, our emotions, all become intertwined into what we do and create in this world. Before creating any product, an energy clearing begins, first with myself, and then my space, and the material of the product itself is also cleared. This is something that I know big brands cant, and wont do, and something I pride myself in here at Sacred Infusions Apothecary. My two favorite energy clearing methods are sound frequencies, and aromatherapy.
While the business has grown from herbal products such as salves and syrups, to the single origin tinctures and custom formulations, the practices stay the same. Clear your mind, clear your space, create the product. That will never change, no matter how “big” we grow. We offer a wide array of herbal products online on our website at SacredInfusionsApothecary.com and locally, instore here in Tennessee. I also offer a wide variety of in person herbal classes.
As I sit here today, there are three things I am most grateful for, one is the trust my community puts in me, to help guide them, so they can make informed decisions about their own healthy journey. The second is being a vessel for the voice of the plants, because they have so much to say. Which brings me the third most thing I am grateful for, the opportunity to teach others about the craft of herbalism. Because I have had the opportunity to travel and teach herbal classes in different states, I often get asked what is your favorite part about teaching herbal classes? One of my favorite parts of teaching herbal classes is watching the “lightbulb moment” take place in others when remembrance occurs. I will forever be grateful for that opportunity I get to share with the students who attend.
When Lauren isnt working with clients, teaching classes, or making products, you will find Lauren and her family tending their land and chasing the sun on the Clinch River in Tennessee.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Without a shadow of a doubt, my community helped build my reputation. From my perspective I believe there is no better marketing than word of mouth. Which are big words in 2024 and the age of digital marketing, but I stand firmly behind my words. When I began Sacred Infusions Apothecary, my dream was to be of service to my community in anyway that I could.
I’d be lying to you if I said, I didnt spend a bit of time trying to figure out how to stand out from the crowd on social media. I truly thought my community was online and that is where they would find me, or where I was going to find them. Countless hours spinning my wheels, what is an algohritim? Trying to create an astehtically pleasing social feed, what are the current trending hashtags? Stage the perfect instagram photo and post it at the right time of day. I can assure you in all the years I spent in the garden, social media was never a concept that was taught. After a few months of spinning my wheels, I took the advice that was given to me and ran with it. “Go back to your roots, Lauren”. I went locally to the mom and pop boutique stores, and health stores. I began introducing myself and asking if they had any interest in herbal products being sold in their store? I still remember the day that I unexpectedly got the reply of “yes, how fast could you get these products down here and in stock?” Almost five years has passed since I joined my first store as a local vendor. Things have changed a bit, one store turned into two, and my store displays have grown from one small shelf with a few products on it, to large displays that sell out quickly.
Dear reader, I say this with every ounce of my being, please do not get lost in the hype of social media networking, or marketing. You dont need a social media coach. You dont need to spend thousands of dollars on the content creators/ influencers three day social media course. You most certainly don’t need to buy followers (like many brands do.) Here is the thing reader, I’m not telling you to ignore social media all together. What I’m saying is, there is an entire microcosom of people living in your community; who would love to be on the recieving end of your gifts. Whether its soap, candles, your art, homemade bread, or herbal products. There is an entire universe living right there in your community, willing to support you. You do NOT have to be posting on social media multiple times a day, or a week, in order to make a sale, or create the returning customer. If you are struggling with marketing, or creating the return customer try loging out of social media, and loging into your community.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
This just may be one of the hardest questions for me, because I love words. So, naturally books and music are my thing. Many find it strange, but I choose to wake up early everyday, so I can read as dawn ends the night. I tend to read non-fiction books, although my favorite fiction book is Jane Eyre. I find myself drawn to the medical and herbal books printed before 1903. I have learned so much going back in time through the printed words of the people who came before us. While I did my best to condense this list, I must note to the reader that Nicolas Culpeper and Rosemary Gladstar have been guiding lights for me in my career. If you are interested in the world of herbalism I do recommend begining there.
The English Physician, by Nicolas Culpeper originially published in 1652. The copy I own was republished in 1809. I absolutely love this book. The herbs, their uses, the astrological meaning through the eyes of Culpeper. A brilliant man, and self proclaimed herbalist for the people, and the people only. Nicholas lived up to his word, giving away remedies to those in need, and translating latin into english so the less fortunate could read. I am thankful for the great works of Nicholas Culpeper. To quote this brilliant man. “Regard the heart, keep that upon the wheels, because the sun is the foundation of life. Therefore those universal remedies, Aurum Potabile, and the Philosopher’s Stone, cure all diseases by fortifying the heart.”
One inspirational resource in my life has been music. All music, but partically the music I listened too with my dad. There were many artists we listened too, but the one that stands out the most is Van Morrison. Which most certainly has impacted my philosphy and thinking. My dad gave me the nickname Honeybaby, which came from Van’s hit song Tupelo Honey. We spent a lot of time together listening to Van. From In The Garden to The Great Deception and The Healing Has Begun. I didnt realize what my dad was doing then, but I do now. He was seeding a foundation of solid ground for me to stand on. The words were something I would have, even after he was gone. So, when my dad passed; I began listening to Van Morrison. It was my way of feeling close to my dad again, through the music we use to listen to. That’s where I found The Fable by Janet Planet, right there on the Moondance album. The Fable that taught me invaluble lessons such as, to never lose your childlike visions, and learning to dwell in the armor of love. Her way with words continues to captivate me. I hope every young woman gets the chance to go into the garden, and read her fable.
The Practical Home Physician, by Lyman, Henry M. Published by Star Publishing, Chicago; (1916). The copy I own was republished in 1919. I love this book for its in-depth full color anatomy illistrations. I enjoyed refrencing these illistrations to learn more about anatomy and physiology.
Specific Diagnosis: A Study of Disease With Special Reference to the Administration of Remedies by John Scudder, Eclectic Physican. (1874).
The Secret Life of Plants, by Peter Tompkins (1973)
Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health (2008)
Let There Be Light by Elizabeth Turner (1996)
The Kybalion by “Three Initiates” (1908)
Medical Herbalism David Hoffman (2003)
The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen (2010)
Zanoni by Edward Bulwer-Lytton originally published in 1842 the copy I own is from 1860.
Last but certainly not least. The Celestine Prophecy, James Redfield (1993) is a book everyone should read, and a movie everyone should watch. Of course, the book is better though.
When Lauren isnt working with clients, teaching classes, or making products, you will find Lauren and her family tending their land and chasing the sun on the Clinch River in Tennessee.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sacredinfusionsapothecary.com/
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/anherbalistofnature
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sacredinfusionsapothecary
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-johnson-22222222222222222222222222/
Image Credits
The first personal photo uploaded and the photo of me wearing the sweater that says (in the garden) was taken by Nailya at The Fable Photography in Perrysburg, OH. The jewelry handmade by Janet Planet herself at Love Beads By Janet Planet.
The 8th photo uploaded of me should say “Lauren discussing herbs at The Tattered Peacock in Harriman, TN” Photo was taken by Emily Botkin.
The photo of me with projector, and of the class should state Lauren teaching an herbal class at The 577 Foundation in Perrysburg, OH