About us
Rooted in Tradition, Crafted by Nature
Wild Origins was born from a love of plants, a passion for craftsmanship, and a desire to bring nature’s wisdom into everyday life. What started as a simple farmers market stand for my youngest child has grown into a seed-to-bottle skincare and wellness brand—one that honors traditional herbal knowledge while embracing modern science.
A Journey into Herbalism
My path to herbalism didn’t begin with generations of plant wisdom. Years ago, when we were stationed in Germany, I knew very little about plants. To me, nature was just a green blur, and I couldn’t identify much beyond trees and grass. That all changed one summer when I waged war on stinging nettles in my backyard—desperate to clear them away so my young daughter wouldn’t get stung every time she played outside.
One day, a man met me at our back fence, holding two thornless blackberry bushes. He explained, in broken English, that his mother—my neighbor—had sent them as a gift. She had been watching me pull the nettles and felt sorry that my daughter kept getting hurt. Then he told me something that changed my world forever:
"She sees you pulling the nettles away from your daughter and feels very badly that she’s getting hurt, so she wanted to gift you these. I want you to know, my mother loves the nettles. When she was a young girl, she was in a Russian prison camp and became very sick. She found nettles growing in the camp and ate them. She believes she is alive today because of the nettles, so she honors them in her backyard—but they grow into your yard too."
What I had seen as a nuisance, this woman saw as a lifesaving gift. That moment shattered my perspective. It was as if a new dimension opened before me, pulling me into what I now call Alice’s rabbit hole of herbalism—a journey of wonder and discovery. I found Wonderland! I live in the world of medicinal plants now, and I am never going to leave.
About Rae
I am a trained herbalist with a deep-rooted passion for Western Herbalism, though I have also studied under teachers from Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. My focus remains on the plants that grow where we grow—believing that nature often provides exactly what we need, right in our own backyards.
My journey into plants and skincare has been both formal and deeply personal. I hold a degree in Horticulture, have been a member of the American Herbalist Guild since 2017, and am a Virginia Master Naturalist. I’ve studied botanical and natural skincare since 2018, blending traditional herbal wisdom with modern formulation techniques.
For years, supporting my husband’s military career meant moving frequently, leaving behind carefully cultivated gardens at every duty station. But now, with his retirement from the USMC, I’ve finally planted permanent roots on our seven-acre farm in Powhatan, VA. With every season, I expand my gardens—growing the very plants that become the heart of Wild Origins.
The Birth of Wild Origins
Since my first skincare course in 2018, I’ve made skincare and wellness products just for my family, friends, and personal use. That changed in 2023, when my youngest convinced me to set up a farmers market booth. The instant connection with customers—seeing people light up when they discovered my products—propelled Wild Origins into something more than just a small personal practice.
But my commitment has always remained the same: every product is formulated from an herbalist’s perspective, blending traditional methods with modern science to create high-quality botanical skincare, infused oils, and plant distillations.
Honoring Nature & Sustainable Practices
Wild Origins is more than just skincare—it’s a philosophy. As a master naturalist and permaculture practitioner, I believe in using the land responsibly and ensuring that no part of nature is wasted. This extends to my work with Bear Oil, where I render locally hunted bear fat into a refined oil, tan the hides, and clean the bones—ensuring that these animals are honored and not discarded as waste.
From the botanicals I grow and distill on my farm, to the ethically sourced ingredients I select, every step of my process is guided by a deep respect for nature, sustainability, and quality over quantity.
From Wild Roots to Radiant Skin
At Wild Origins, I craft small-batch, artisan skincare and wellness products that bring the power of plants into daily rituals. Whether it’s a bottle of hydrosol, an herbal-infused lotion, or a carefully formulated face oil, you can trust that each product is made with intention, knowledge, and respect for both traditional herbalism and modern science.
What’s Next for Wild Origins?
Wild Origins is more than just skincare. Once our commercial kitchen is completed, we’ll be expanding our offerings to include expertly crafted internal blends—teas, tinctures, elixirs, and more. Until then, a select variety is available locally under Virginia Cottage Law, with online availability coming soon!