What’s Happening at the Market: Simple herbal medicine at home with Herbs ‘n Dreams

Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market

Open: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 6

Location: Sequim Civic Center Plaza, downtown Sequim

By Emma Jane Garcia

For the Sequim Gazette

Lauren Morgan of the Sequim-based company Herbs ‘n Dreams grew up in what she calls a normal, suburban family. However, her love for nature was alive even as a child.

“My sisters and I would play in the woods all day, all the time,” she shares. “Being outside would make me feel alive and connected.”

Morgan remembers her first encounters with the plant world, “I remember this huge cottonwood tree in my childhood yard. That tree was one of my first teachers. Really one of the plant friends that helped foster a connection,” Morgan recalls.

“Sitting on this wrap around balcony of this funky house we lived in, I remember the cotton drizzling down around me. Even though I didn’t realize it at the time, cottonwood was teaching me that the plants are my friends. It helped awaken the plant lover and herbalist within me. There was an immediate spark, a connection.”

Morgan followed this connection to Bellingham, where she began studying alternative healing in many forms. It was there that she stumbled upon a flyer at the local co-op advertising a Spring Herbal Medicine Apprenticeship. She jumped at the chance and ended up completing an intensive mentorship with herbalist Molly Langdon.

“That experience totally changed me,” Morgan said. “It was like the dam fell open, I knew this was my thing. I fell completely in love and became totally obsessed.”

Following this distinct calling, Morgan completed an Herbal Sciences Degree with Bastyr University and has continued deepening her practice since.

Morgan has a strong background in the herbal industry, having worked in retail spaces, manufacturing, teaching, and workshops. With this knowledge, she decided to bring her company to the Sequim Farmers and Artisans Market upon recognizing a strong need.

Each week at her booth, you will find live medicinal starts for planting in your home garden.

“We are in a time where people are really craving this basic knowledge,” she said.

“People just light up when they learn they can identify plants and make medicine to treat their child’s tummy ache.”

Morgan said she believes that it’s a person’s birthright to possess a basic knowledge in herbal medicine, allowing them to assist in the care of loved ones.

Morgan said she carefully selected herbs that allow beginning herbalist to be successful.

“I’ve tried to make it as easy as possible,” she said. “Focusing on 15 different herbs that are easy to grow and forgiving, with versatile uses that are easy to make medicine out of.”

Herbs ‘n Dreams customers receive a one page growing guide with each medicinal plant start purchased that includes information on growing practices, traditional uses, and suggested medicine preparations.

She also offers a 30-page booklet to those brand new to herbalism who are interested in learning how to harvest and make their own herbal medicine.

“There really is no better way to deepen your learning than by growing the plants yourselves,” Morgan said. “When you tend to plants and take a seed all the way to cup of tea to treat your aches, your hands and your mind have been involved in every step. That connection between human and plant is so powerful.”

Morgan said she is excited to be welcomed by the Saturday market, and thrilled to get to know market guests and her fellow vendors.

“My family has only lived here for a year and half, we’ve met so many amazing people, but it feels we’ve barely scratched the surface of this community,” she said.

“There’s something so sweet about farmers markets that can’t be captured anywhere else,” she shares. “I think the way forward with humanity is in local collaboration and small, local, community driven businesses. I’m honored to be part of that.”

Visit Herbs ‘n Dreams at Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market every Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (under modified operations), at the Sequim Civic Center Plaza.

You can also visit laurelcrown healing.com for information of Morgan’s herbal classes, dream workshops and to purchase products online.

Emma Jane Garcia is Marketing Manager for the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market. See www.sequim market.com.