Meet the Founder
Thank you so much for coming by to learn a little more about the Live Botanical journey.
My name is Carolyn (she/her) and live on the ancestral land of Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla and many other tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River (AKA Portland, OR). The start of Live Botanical is a dream that formed over 25 years ago. It was only until 2016 when I finally began to move towards a path I felt called to do.
The Inspiration:
The heart of Live Botanical is the intense desire to connect more with Nature and share their beauty and wisdom with others. This passion extends into taking care of earth and all their inhabitants. I believe the path to a more sustainable society is to encourage ideas of conservation through compassion. We must see ourselves in nature and nature within ourselves to change mindsets. Instinctually we are preservationists and when we can create those threads from our own lives to what we see outside, we will begin to acknowledge our role in the larger global picture. Without these threads it can be easy to be complacent or disconnected.
For me this connection has saved my life on numerous occasions. In meaningful and present observation, Nature has taught me more about compassion, forgiveness, strength and gratitude than any other. Their natural cycles on minor and macro scales is where I find comfort. Learning to accept, appreciate and love who I am right now at this time. That with every moment of darkness or death there is light and rebirth to follow.
My Mentors & Early Education:
The study of herbalism was a natural progression during my formative years. It started with a curiosity of nature and a strong relationship with my grandparents who shared their own herbal traditions.
More formal education started in 1998-2002 with registered herbalist Dr. Mara Levin, owner of Blue Heron Herbs. Her experience as a homesteader, clinical herbalist, healer and medicine maker was an amazing gift I am so grateful to have received. Sharing both the practicality and deep compassion for the natural world.
Her course work was aligned with the American Herbalist Guild (AHG) educational guidelines. Her modalities included Indigenous and Western Herbalism, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Additional education during this time was received by Sue Sierralupe who is a contributor to The Practical Herbalist.
Since then I have continued by education through various long format programs over the course of 25 years. This is not an exhaustive list and is not in chronological order.
- Institute of Personal Care Science - Diploma of Personal Care Formulation (currently enrolled to formally be credentialed as a Cosmetic Chemist)
- Vitalist Herbal Practitioner Program with Sajah Popham
- Herbal Academy - Certificates in Introductory & Intermediate Herbalism
- Ayurvedic Aromatherapy & Hua Lu Aromatherapy with David Crow
- Make Better Medicine Series with Lisa Ganora
- Growing Herbal Medicine with Chachal Cabrera
- Portland School of Astrology (Herbal Astrology) - 1st & 2nd Year Program
- Luna Apothecary Program (Herbal Astrology) with Worts & Cunning Apothecary
My higher level education was from Linfield College with a degree focus in Business Management, Information Systems and a minor in Environmental Literature.
The Culmination:
Through herbal based skincare, I am able to tell a story to help forge a relationship with the many wonders of the natural world. With vivid botanicals and products designed for personal care, I hope you are reminded everyday of the beauty in the world and more importantly the beauty that lives within you.
I am forever grateful for all of those who I have connected with and hope to connect with one day.
Thank you from the fullest part of my heart,
Carolyn McRory, Owner + Herbalist