Rooted in Nature, Built on Family

Rooted in Nature, Built on Family

Cayla Mandean

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by natural wellness and hormonal health? I know I've been there.

There's so much information and even more noise. One article says one thing, a label promises another. One week, it's a miracle ingredient; the next, it's a red flag.

It's no wonder so many of us end up more confused than empowered.

All you wanted to do was support your body, to make good choices… and suddenly, you're knee-deep in jargon, wondering who you can depend on.

Between the buzzwords, quick fixes, and endless marketing claims, it's so easy to feel lost. So many of us reach a point where we just want to know what's real. What can we trust? What's actually good for us?

At Essentially Natural, we understand that confusion deeply. That's why we cherish partnerships with brands like Flowers From My Meadow-heart-driven and family-led makers who remind us what honesty, integrity, and true craft look like.

How It All Began

For Mike and Tash, the founders of Flowers From My Meadow, this journey didn't start in a boardroom but in their kitchen out of necessity, curiosity, and love. What started small became a gift for thousands: a movement of women and families reconnecting with nature's quiet intelligence.

"It began as a seed of necessity-the need for pure, small-batch botanicals that weren't industrial, diluted, or synthetic," they share. "We started creating for ourselves, and what began as personal remedies soon grew into something far bigger," exclaims Mike and Tash.

We remember the first time we tried their Wild Yam Cream. All the women on our team were gifted a jar. It was so generous and something truly unique. It wasn't just the ingredients that caught our attention; it was the intention, the story, and the energy behind it. It made us curious to ask: what makes this brand so different?

"Flowers From My Meadow isn't just a brand-it's a love story. Between people, between family, and between humans and plants. Every jar is a conversation with nature that we're honoured to share."

Mike and Tash recall their humble beginnings with laughter and the sound of their old hand blender courageously churning through the first batches of cream. "Back then, five jars felt like a mountain," they say. Today, that memory keeps them grounded. Humble. It reminds them why small-batch matters.

We love that about Flowers From My Meadow-their humility and humour.

They don't chase trends; they answer needs. As they so beautifully put it:

"Every cream, tincture, and tea is born from a story-a real person, a real imbalance, a real solution. That connection gives everything purpose."

And in a world where "natural" has become a marketing term, they've worked to reclaim it as a way of life.

"We wanted to take that word back. To show that slow, honest, intentional craft still exists-even if it starts on a kitchen counter.

Hormone Balance

Honest, Family-Led Herbal Products You Can Trust

“Rooted in nature, built on family” isn’t just a tagline. For Mike and Tash, it’s a lived value. When we think of Flowers From My Meadow, we think of legacy… of children learning beside their parents, of wild herbs that find their way into every blend, of the Western Cape’s wildness, resilience, and diverse flora.

“Rooted in nature, built on family means legacy. Teaching our children that the earth provides everything we need—if we listen. Both of our families come from generations who worked the soil and believed in self-reliance. That instinct lives in us.

Plants became part of our blood, and making herbal blends for family came naturally. We’ve always believed in working with nature, not against it—and while we respect pharmaceuticals, we know nature is where healing begins,” they explain.

Their story feels like home, and their products remind us that wellness isn’t a luxury… It’s a return to what’s real, nourishing, and intentional.

Why Small-Batch, Handmade Herbal Products Matter

Flowers From My Meadow is crafted with care: small-batch, local, organic where possible, ethically sourced, and deeply rooted in South African heritage. This mirrors our own mission at Essentially Natural: to celebrate and support makers who honour the earth, the community, and integrity in everything they do. Supporting them means supporting the values we hold dear: transparency, care, and the preservation of natural, sustainable living.

One question we felt so privileged to ask Mike and Tash: “When an idea begins to bloom, how do you decide it’s ready to become a product?” Their answer reflects their careful, thoughtful approach: 

“When it feels balanced—not just in formula, but in intention. We test, tweak, and meditate on each blend until it feels like it belongs.”

This meticulous process is exactly why we’re proud to stock their tea blends, tinctures, and creams.

Their philosophy is simple: if it doesn’t nourish the body or the planet, it doesn’t belong in our jars. Purity, traceability, and integrity are non-negotiable.

Running a family business has its challenges, but for Mike and Tash, family and work are intertwined:

“Homeschooling, product testing, and label designing often happen in the same room. It’s chaotic and beautiful, and our kids are learning what it means to build something that matters,” they share.

“Gratitude. And humour. Every challenge becomes compost for what’s next,” Tash adds.

Their story is proof that slow, intentional, earth-centred living is possible even in the busiest, most chaotic of lives.

Their advice for anyone beginning a natural-living journey?

Mike and Tash Founders of Flowers From My Meadow

“Start small. Stay curious. Nature rewards patience.”

This brings us back to the overwhelm we started with. What begins as confusion about natural wellness can transform into clarity, peace, confidence, and connection when you know who to trust. Flowers From My Meadow does exactly that.

As we celebrate 11 years of Essentially Natural, we’re proud to walk alongside Mike and Tash. They are a pair of amazing people crafting not just products, but helping you feel that you’re part of something gentle and authentic—that nature still works, and it still cares.

Their next chapter is all about renewal. This November, they are launching exciting new products. Keep your eyes peeled, explore their range, and discover the stories behind each creation here.

Cayla Mandean

With a passion for skincare, wellness, and storytelling, Cayla is here to cut through the clutter and empower you with clear, research-backed, actionable knowledge to elevate your beauty routine and well-being. If she’s not outside in nature, at the gym, reading or spending time with her loved ones, you will find her creating clear, impactful content that inspires and informs. Her goal? To make sure you feel confident in your choices and enjoy the journey to an empowered, happier you!