Aum Herbs, Apothecary & Community Gathering Place is the latest boutique business to open in the vibrant downtown area of Boulder Creek. Located at 125 Forest Street, the owner Jen Padgett joins new businesses “The Hive – Mountain Art Collective”, “Springy-Girl” and established “Air & Fire” among others, as a growing group of women owned and operated businesses in San Lorenzo Valley. It is the first apothecary in the area since the 1970s.
The name Aum loosely defined means “The Universe”, or “Love “and is often the sound used in meditation. “Om” is another way to spell it. Aum’s tagline, “First the Universe, then came Herbs” explains the order in which Aum Herbs operates as a business and in life.
Aum Herbs focuses on natural & alternative remedies with a large selection of bulk/loose medicinal and culinary herbs available by the ounce. Specialty bulk bath salt blends, medicinal teas and original tea blends, tinctures, gifts and salves, all made in-house are for everyone.
Jen is an advocate for Human Kindness – and before starting Aum Herbs, worked on issues surrounding homelessness & poverty. Jen’s personal motto is: “If You Can Dream it, You Can Do it!” This phrase embodies all that she does in her business and personal endeavors.
Jen has lived off the grid in a yurt, all solar powered for 12 years. She moved out to the mountains as a single mom and met her husband in the neighborhood about 6 months later. She wanted to learn to live off the grid – so she put herself out there. Jen has spent the last four years tincturing herbs and learning about herbal remedies. She became drawn to natural and herbal remedies after conventional western medicine failed her efforts to resolve a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia-free for several years now, she is steadfast in learning, working and teaching all there is to know about plants and natural medicine remedies and sharing this with others. So much like the leap Jen took to start living off grid in order to fully immerse herself in that life, so she did with opening Aum Herbs.
The goal is to make the shop a community gathering spot filled with warmth and good vibes that provides a basic education on herbal and alternative healing. Jen has designed a place where all can have access to good quality, organic and wild craft harvested herbs and products. It is a safe place to ask questions, enjoy a soothing cup of tea, peruse the available library, and maybe attend a class or two on how to make many of the products offered in the store.
Classes start full force in January with Belly Dancing, Yoga, Mind Body Wellness, Nutrition and Salve making classes on the schedule. Aum Herbs’ website has more information, www.aum-herbs.com. Book ahead to guarantee a spot or just drop in as convenient for you.
DebraLee Andersohn, Esthetician has begun offering the Debra Lee Darling Holistic Skin Care line for sale, in addition to facials and waxing in the shop. DebraLee custom blends her own skincare line which she uses in the treatment room there. Delta Roe Reiki is also available, with massage & cranial-sacral to be added soon. Call to book an appointment at 831-703-4384.
In addition, Aum Herbs has internships for budding herbalists! Currently the shop is hosting two interns and Jen is looking for more interested individuals. Interns learn how to make all of their products and run all aspects of the shop. Contact Jen for more details.
AUM, to your health… it’s only natural!
