Meet Irelia Ozaeta of South Gate

Today we’d like to introduce you to Irelia Ozaeta.

Hi Irelia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As the eldest daughter of Mexican immigrants, the power of education was embedded in me at an early age. I have fond memories of reading library books at the young age of three years old and helping my grandmother tend to her plants and herbal garden. She was very intentional about teaching me about the healing properties of plants.

My love for plants was in my soul, but so was sharing knowledge with others. My passion for education led me to embark on a 17-year journey in education that consisted of being a middle school teacher, School Administrator, and ultimately a Director of Pupil Personnel Services for a school district.

During the Covid pandemic, like many, I paused and asked myself “What brings me joy?”. This overwhelming desire to reconnect with plants consumed me. I was privileged to walk away from my career and immerse myself in herbalism books, university level herbalism workshops with a renown herbalist, and spiritual healers.

Upon deep reflection, Cosmic Rose Apothecary came to life. It started with me sharing my skin herbal creations with family and friends. Through their encouragement I began to sell my products. My passion to educate people on the power of herbalism using my social media platforms bloomed into people and organizations requesting community educational workshops in both English and Spanish for their respective communities. The workshops focus on herbal remedies from an ancestral perspective. I have had the opportunity to teach across generations from children as young as 5 to elderly in their 70s. My desire to help continue in the lineage of other herbalist both known and unknown feeds my fire to reconnect people of all ages to the magic of natural remedies.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
An ongoing struggle for me has been confronting imposter syndrome. It’s been an internal struggle that comes in waves. As my business grows and people request my support and remedies for their ailments, there is the little voice in the back of my mind doubting if I have the knowledge to help navigate the power of herbalism. What helps me is positive affirmations and my rooted belief of the power of education and my love for learning. There is not a day that I don’t become that 3-year-old eager to read, learn, and thrive. I must consistently and continuously ground myself and trust that what I am creating is for the greater good.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the founder and Herbalist of Cosmic Rose Apothecary, a Latina owned business, specializing in transforming herbs and flowers into natural healing products.

I am committed to using the highest quality ingredients. I grow most of my flowers and herbs in my backyard in Los Angeles. I don’t use any pesticides or non-organic fertilizers. Any ingredients that I don’t grow myself I am intentional about sourcing. I ensure I have a relationship with the grower or supplier and their commitment to regenerative practices in growing and packaging.

My Herbal teaching has a unique way of blending traditions from an indigenous Mexican practice’s perspective with modern scientific rooted elements to be able to share the best of both worlds. My creativity in teaching gives the accessibility to be able to share herbal knowledge across generations and in a bilingual format. I have had the privilege of working with mental health workers, book clubs, youth, transitional youth, and health and wellness organizations across southern California. I’ve also had the privilege of collaborating with boutique businesses across California.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I truly believe the growth I’ve experienced is the result of my gratitude to the land, to my ancestors, and to all that carried this herbal knowledge before me. I care for all my plants daily. I love them, talk to them, and encourage them to grow. They are a part of my life, household, and livelihood. I only use the highest quality oils, waxes, or butters to infuse my plants. I do not overharvest or demand more than they are willing to give. I respect the natural cycles of nature and harvest when in abundance and let the land rest in when it has already given all it can. I honor the process with ritual while making natural skin products. I go deep into meditative prayer and place loving intentions of healing in every small batch I create. When you buy Cosmic Rose Apothecary products you are not only getting healthy products for yourself and your loved ones, but you are receiving the healing practices that were integrated by the heart and soul of an herbal artisan.

Pricing:

• Herbal Infused oils- $13
• Lip balms- $7
• Magnesium Body Spray- $13
• Aromatherapy rollers- $11
• Healing Salves- $13

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cosmicroseshop.com
• Instagram: @cosmic_rose_apothecary
• LinkedIn: Irelia Ozaeta
• Youtube: @cosmicroseapothecary

Image Credits
Photographer: Elizabeth Nelson owner of FEMPWR Portraits