Every name has a story, and mine starts on the side of the road.
One summer, while driving to Oklahoma for a girls’ trip with my daughter and granddaughter, I struggled to come up with a name for my business. Everywhere I looked, on the highway I saw the beautiful purplish flowers of the thistle; I took it as a sign and decided to look further into its lore.
The thistle isn’t a delicate plant. It shows up along fence lines, dry pastures, and disturbed ground, in soil most plants would ignore. It sends a deep taproot down before it ever puts up a flower. Then, when it’s ready, it blooms in a purple crown that bees, butterflies, and goldfinches can’t resist. It is tough, a little prickly, and beautiful all at once.
That’s why I chose it. The thistle doesn’t wait for perfect conditions, and it doesn’t apologize for its thorns. It grows deep, stays rooted, and blooms in its own time. That is the kind of strength I hope to nurture in the people I work with.
What Wild Thistle is today
Wild Thistle Herbs & Alchemy is a holistic coaching practice and small teaching apothecary in Waco, Texas. My work is rooted in nature and centered on you, guided by a vitalist philosophy and the belief that wellness need not be extreme to be sustainable.
For entrepreneurial women, I offer holistic coaching by video. Many of the women I work with are very capable, successful, driven, and carrying a lot, and they’re often so used to being the strong one that nourishing themselves slips to the bottom of the list. Together, we find ways for them to slow down, clarify what matters most at this season of their lives, and build rhythms that support them and their business, drawing on what nature shows us about seasons, rest, and growth.
I also offer herbal consultations and ritual work, in person at the apothecary or by video. We talk through your daily routines and your goals, and I share herbal and lifestyle ideas that fit into real life.
The apothecary is where the plants come to life, with handcrafted herbal products made in small batches. I also host classes and workshops because I love bringing people together around a table with a warm cup of tea and a good plant to talk about.
A space for everyone
This is an inclusive, judgment-free space. I love all bodies, and I hold it sacred that everyone deserves kindness, compassion, and support, no matter what size body they have.
Come as you are
If you’re ready for coaching, curious about an herbal consult, or just want a cup of tea and a look around, there’s a place for you here. Thorns and all.
The content in this post is shared for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Coaching is not therapy or medical care. Please consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.