We recently connected with Jose Manuel Torres and have shared our conversation below.
Jose Manuel , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Let me take you back to the beginning of 2020, when the world felt like it was turning upside down. The COVID-19 pandemic was just starting to spread, and people were locking down, shutting their doors, and staying home. The future felt uncertain for everyone, including me. At that time, I was working out of my garage, experimenting with different herbal formulas and starting to see the power these indigenous remedies could have on people. My family and friends had already experienced incredible results, and I knew I was onto something special—something bigger than me.
But there was a problem: I was comfortable in my garage. I didn’t have much overhead, I was safe, and I wasn’t taking too many chances. Yet deep down, I knew I had something that could help more people. My heart kept telling me that I needed to step out of my comfort zone if I wanted to truly fulfill my calling. I couldn’t stay small forever.
Then it hit me: What if I just went for it? What if I stopped waiting for the perfect moment and found a place where I could expand, meet more people, and let the community experience these remedies firsthand?
So, I took a huge leap of faith. I packed up my garage-based operation and moved to the Santa Fe Springs swap meet—a massive public market where vendors sold everything from clothing to food. I didn’t know what would happen, but I trusted that God had put me on this path for a reason. Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. I had to hustle, working long hours, setting up my stall, talking to countless people, explaining my products, my story, and my passion.
At first, it was slow. I questioned if I’d made the right decision. But something incredible happened. People started to listen. They started to try the products, and word spread quickly. Soon, the booth was always packed. Customers were telling me how their health improved, how their energy came back, how they felt connected to something ancient and powerful.
At the same time, I took to social media, starting my presence under Aztlan Herbal Remedies and Indigenous Herbalist. Slowly but surely, my following began to grow. People resonated with the message I was sharing—the combination of ancient healing and my personal journey. It was like a spark that turned into a fire. Before long, the digital space became another way for me to reach people who needed these remedies.
That risk, that decision to leave the safety of my garage, transformed everything. It gave me the confidence to open my current herb shop in Torrance, a space I built from scratch with the community’s support. And now, with the support of my online followers and local community, I’ve been able to expand even further. Looking back, it wasn’t just a risk—it was a necessary step in fulfilling my purpose.
Had I stayed in my comfort zone, I wouldn’t have touched the lives of so many, and I wouldn’t have realized how powerful taking that leap of faith could be. Today, I’m grateful to not only serve people in person but also through my growing online community, where I continue to spread the message of natural healing and empowerment.
Jose Manuel , 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?
Absolutely! Let me take you back to where it all started. My journey into the world of herbalism is deeply rooted in my family history and guided by my faith in God. I was born to two immigrant parents from Mexico, and both of my grandmothers were traditional herbalists and midwives from Michoacán, part of the Purepecha tribe. Growing up, I was surrounded by indigenous knowledge of herbs, natural remedies, and the deep wisdom that nature holds. However, it wasn’t until I hit my own health challenges that I truly found my calling and realized how much God had been preparing me for this path.
At the age of 3, I survived a battle with bacterial meningitis, but later in life, my health issues started stacking up. By age 28, I was dealing with high blood pressure, gut inflammation, Candida overgrowth, eczema, pre-diabetes, anxiety, and depression. The traditional Western treatments only made things worse—antibiotics and steroids piled up, and nothing was getting better. That’s when I turned back to what was in my bloodline—herbal medicine—but I also turned to God for guidance.
I believe it was through prayer and trusting in God’s direction that I found the strength to pursue a path that felt both unfamiliar and deeply rooted in my heritage. I learned that healing the gut, detoxing, using probiotics, and natural cleansing could completely change my life. I dove headfirst into learning about herbs from Mexico, combining traditional knowledge with my passion for healing, and started formulating my own remedies. The results were life-changing, not just for me but for my friends, family, and eventually, my community. That’s when I knew: this was my calling, and God had placed me here for a reason.
In 2017-2018, I started experimenting with my herbal formulas in my garage. Word spread, and by the time the pandemic hit, I moved to the Santa Fe Springs swap meet, where my business exploded. It was a leap of faith, and I trusted that God had bigger plans for me than I could have imagined. Today, I’m the proud owner of **Aztlan Herbal Remedies** in Torrance, CA, a shop I built from the ground up. We specialize in indigenous herbal remedies that target a range of health issues, from gut health and detoxification to immune support and energy boosts.
We manufacture all of our formulas ourselves in Carson, CA, ensuring that every product is made with the highest standards of quality. Our products contain no fillers, no pesticides, and no junk—just pure, powerful, and effective ingredients. We ship not only to different parts of the United States but also internationally, making sure that people everywhere have access to natural healing remedies rooted in indigenous knowledge. We’ve also built our own e-commerce website at www.AztlanHerbalRemedies.com, where customers can browse and order our full range of products.
We offer a wide array of products, including:
– Capsules: For detoxing, gut health, parasite cleanses, and more.
– Teas: Energetico Tea for natural energy, Iron Boost Tea, Kidney Support blends, Liver Cleanse Tea and Blood Pressure teas.
– Tinctures: Sea Moss, Soursop, Stonebreaker (for gallstones and kidney stones), and more.
– Seamoss Products: Gels, capsules, and tinctures.
– Herbal Cleanses: Our Herbal Detox is a gentle cleanse with no rushing to the bathroom, Candida Detox these tackle Candida fungus, Mimosa Pudica parasite cleanse, and overall detoxing.
– Personalized Body Scans: We offer scans at our shop to help people understand their health better, followed by customized herbal treatment plans.
What sets us apart is our dedication to Indigenous wisdom and a deep faith in God’s plan for each of us. Everything we create is grounded in the same traditions that have healed our people for generations, but I also believe that God has given us these natural remedies to care for our bodies as temples. We don’t just offer products—we offer a connection to something deeper, to a way of healing that respects the body, the Earth, and the powerful synergy between them, all while being guided by faith.
We don’t just sell herbs; we solve problems. Whether it’s chronic fatigue, digestive issues, inflammation, or even emotional imbalances, our products are designed to work holistically, addressing the root cause rather than just masking symptoms. Our customers are not just buying a product—they’re tapping into centuries of knowledge and care, with a deep belief that God has given us the tools to heal.
What I’m most proud of is the trust our community has placed in us. When someone walks into our shop or tries one of our products, they’re not just getting herbs—they’re becoming part of the Aztlan family. We are committed to transparency, authenticity, and quality, and that’s what has allowed us to grow and connect with so many people. I thank God every day for guiding me on this path and for allowing me to help others find healing through His creation.
Ultimately, Aztlan Herbal Remedies is more than just a business; it’s a mission to revive and share the powerful healing traditions of our ancestors. My goal is to help as many people as possible find true healing and balance in their lives through the power of nature and the grace of God. And I want people to know that when they come to us, they’re getting something real, something that’s been crafted with heart, heritage, and an unshakable belief in the body’s ability to heal itself—by God’s design.
If you’re looking for natural, effective, and truly soulful herbal remedies, we’ve got you covered. And we can’t wait to welcome you into the Aztlan family!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One story that really illustrates my resilience is when I first decided to open my herb shop in Torrance. After leaving the Santa Fe Springs swap meet, where things were going well, I knew it was time to take my business to the next level. I had this vision of creating a space where people could come, feel the energy of the herbs, get body scans, and truly connect with their healing. But building something like that from scratch? It was intimidating.
I had saved up every penny I could, and I found a spot that felt right. But it wasn’t an easy process. The building needed renovations, permits were a headache, and costs started adding up faster than I could have imagined. At one point, I honestly thought I’d bitten off more than I could chew. I had put everything into this dream—my time, my money, my energy—and I was facing obstacle after obstacle.
But I couldn’t give up. I knew this was my calling, and I had already seen how the herbs had helped so many people. I leaned into my faith, trusting that I was being guided on the right path, even when it didn’t make sense. I also remembered where I came from—the resilience of my parents who had left everything behind in Mexico for a better life in the U.S., and my grandmothers who used their knowledge of herbs to help their communities survive tough times.
So, I pushed forward. I handled the permits, tackled the renovations one step at a time, and kept going even when I felt drained. There were days when I didn’t know if it would all come together, but I kept reminding myself of the bigger picture: the people I would help, the lives that would change, and the healing I was meant to bring.
Finally, after months of hard work, we opened our doors. And when the community came together to support us, I knew every challenge had been worth it. Seeing people walk through the door, hearing their stories, and watching them experience the benefits of the herbs—that’s what fueled me. And every time I hear how our products have changed someone’s life, it reminds me that resilience is what keeps dreams alive.
It wasn’t easy, but nothing worth having ever is. That experience showed me that resilience is about standing firm in your purpose, even when the road gets tough. Now, every time I face a challenge, I look back on that moment and know that if I made it through that, I can handle anything that comes my way.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
Absolutely, without a doubt, I’d choose the same path all over again. Herbalism isn’t just a profession to me; it’s a calling, a way of life that was woven into my soul long before I even realized it. Growing up, surrounded by my mothers’ wisdom and the traditions of Indigenous herbs, I was unknowingly absorbing knowledge that would one day become my lifeline—not just for myself but for the countless people I’ve helped along the way.
Of course, there have been tough moments, setbacks, and plenty of uncertainty, but every single experience has shaped me into the healer and entrepreneur I am today. If I hadn’t faced my own health battles, I might not have turned to herbalism the way I did, and I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to witness the power these natural remedies have to heal not only the body but the spirit. The joy I get from seeing someone find relief and healing through the remedies we provide is something I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Choosing this path has allowed me to reconnect with my heritage, honor the traditions of my ancestors, and share that with a world that is increasingly disconnected from natural healing. It has given me a sense of purpose that goes beyond just running a business—I’m continuing a legacy, preserving wisdom, and making a real impact on people’s health and well-being.
If I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing. In fact, I think I’d start even sooner!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AztlanHerbalRemedies.com
- Instagram: @IndigenousHerbalist @AztlanHerbalRemedies
- Other: Tiktok @@IndigenousHerbalist
Image Credits
Jose Torres