Meet Holistic Moms Network Sponsor Motherlove and Founder Kathryn Higgins
How did Motherlove get started?
I grew up in a family steeped in medical tradition. My grandfather was a researcher, my father a doctor at the Mayo Clinic, and my brother graduated from the Mayo Medical School. I took this foundation of medicine and healing and pursued my own direction of healing with herbs. Inspired by the wild plants surrounding me in the pines and meadows, I started to incorporate nutritious dandelion and nettle in my meals. I also grew herbs to create herbal concoctions for baths and skin care.
When pregnant with my first child in 1982, I began to make teas, oils, baths, and liquid herbal extracts that would support my pregnancy and baby. These creations that I gave away to friends and family became the seeds for Motherlove.
In 1985 I started wild plant identification walks on our 10 acres in the Colorado foothills. After the medicinal herbs walk, I taught the participants how to make a first aid kit of salves, tinctures, herbal pills, and syrups that they took home. The wild edible plant class was treated to a lunch of nettle lasagna, “all-weed” salad, dandelion muffins, and teas.
A local store came to one of these classes and asked to carry the herbal products that I was giving away. Thus, Motherlove Herbal Company was born. Now, Silencia Deva, the baby for whom I made those first products, is my partner in Motherlove, as well as her younger sister, Jasmin. They have seen the business grow as babies on my back while I gathered and made things at the kitchen table, to the company Motherlove is today.
What is the significance of the name Motherlove?
Silencia and Kathryn
At Motherlove our mission is to support women on the journey of childbirth with the nurturing wisdom of the Earth. From preventing stretch marks to increasing breast milk, we are dedicated to crafting the finest quality, safe and effective products for pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies, with integrity and reverence for our planet. Using certified organic ingredients, our products are guaranteed to be free of artificial dyes, fragrances, preservatives and synthetic ingredients. Our products are gentle, yet effective for women, babies and the Earth.
How is Motherlove unique?
Motherlove was one of the first companies to make herbal products for pregnancy and breastfeeding over 20 years ago. We were green and organic before it was “in” and now our products are certified organic, certified cruelty free and certified kosher.
In 2005 in celebration of our 15th anniversary, I founded the Nurturing Life Foundation funded each year by 10 percent of Motherlove’s profits. The foundation assists mothers-in-need, promotes the benefits of breastfeeding, and creates opportunities for children.
This year, we took my journey full circle, and now operate an organic farm that provides certified organic herbs for use in our products, as well as certified organic produce and grains. The farm will offer educational classes, herb walks like the first ones that led to the foundation of Motherlove, and also allow us to give back to our local community where this journey began.
Tell us a little more about you: How do you balance work life and family?
I have great employees who can manage the business while I am away. This leaves me free to be where I need to be each day- at the office, with my family, or traveling to see accounts.
What is your favorite healthy snack?
I keep a bag of dried fruit and nuts in a drawer by my desk.
Do you have a favorite season?
I love the spring — the season of my birth — when the earth returns to rebirth, renewal and my favorite color — green.
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