

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Hasbun from Maracuya Flower Juice Botanicals.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Laura. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After graduating college, I felt the need to somehow ground myself. Moving away from home for five years and immersing myself in academia was a bit disorienting so I began taking local community herbalism classes. It took less than a week for me to fall in love with the essence of plants and of course, Mother Earth herself. That was June of 2017. Since then, I have been in awe of the sweet abundant nature of plants and the many lessons they teach us. That first Christmas after beginning to work with plant medicine, I decided I was only going to give handmade gifts to my family and friends. So I made an herbal salve (pomada) designed to alleviate muscle and bone pain and named it “Sana Sana Colita de Rana” — just like my grandpa used to say to take our pain away every time we hurt ourselves as kids.
While formulating the recipe for this pomada, I wanted to involve my community so I asked Tia’s, Tio’s, friends, and folks at my local herb store what they traditionally used to help relieve pain they experience in their bodies. The responses were a beautiful melody of stories that led me to understand just how versatile plants really are and how they have the ability to gently nourish our bodies from the comfort of our own homes. Working with these stories and the plant material took me back to the times when my grandmother would tend to her garden. I realize now that that was her sanctuary and although she has left this earth physically when I work with the plants around me, I can meet her there. Sana Sana Colita de Rana Pomada turned out to be a big hit amongst my family and friends. Not long after, they started to ask if they could purchase some pomada for their friends and loved ones and if I made other products. It was the love and support from my family, friends, and of course the plantitas that led me to where I am today with my business.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Growing up in my father’s family-owned business gave me all the tools to start producing and selling small batches of my herbal products. For me, the process of creating a product from start to finish is a fun challenge and a soothing way to pass the time. What I mostly struggle with is trusting my own creativity and letting go of the fear of being judged for what I put out in the world. Trusting my own medicine is a daily practice, although it’s not always easy; it’s the essence of all herbal medicines I produce.
Maracuya Flower Juice Botanicals – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I work with different plant medicines to understand their energies and the symbiotic relationship we humans have with them. Each plant carries a different essence that has the ability to nourish our community into a balance physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Like I mentioned earlier, I make pomadas that help folks with physical pain. I also make body lotions, bath salts, massage oils, lip balms, tinctures and candles. But my proudest accomplishment and by far my favorite medicine to make is hydrosols and essential oils. Hydrosols are pure plant waters that essentially carry a blueprint of the medicinal properties of the plant material being distilled. These sweet waters are as versatile as the water you drink; commonly used as facial toners, cooking ingredients, an ingredient in skincare products, perfumes, and so much more.
The multi-day process of making a hydrosol is a deeply intimate labor of love. Through the hours of cleaning, processing, and distilling the fresh plant material, I am not only getting to know the plant’s structure, its smell, and its essence but I am also getting to know myself. With each distillation, I am reminded that each of us have something unique to offer and the journey to unveiling that medicine is sacred. As I develop more herbal remedies, incorporating my home-distilled hydrosols is what makes Maracuya Flower Juice Botanicals so unique.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
The reason I began working with plant medicine was to connect to myself more, to feel more centered; grounded. I make each and every one of my products with that same intention. It is my genuine hope that the folks who use my medicine feel uplifted.
Growing up, my Mom would always tell me “to the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world”. I hold that quote closely as I work because if I am able to take part in impacting someone’s life in a positive way then that has made a world of a difference for that individual. It is my greatest honor to share my medicinal offerings with my community and their loved ones.
Contact Info:
- Website: maracuyaflowerjuicebotanicals.com
- Email: maracuyafjb@gmail.com
- Instagram: @maracuyaflowerjuicebotanicals
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