The Creative Series : Michele Macy - Milk Moon Herbs
Michele Macy inspires us. In her past life, she was a birth + postpartum doula. She’s also a mother, herbalist and the founder + creator of Milk Moon Herbs — a postpartum wellness company based in Northern California.
She created the Milk Moon products for herself after her third baby — as she was struggling with postpartum anxiety and depression, lack of sleep, and wanted to support herself more naturally.
We’re so in love with all of her tinctures, but especially the Restorative Tonic. It has all the incredible blood building + calming herbs, mixed with some adaptogens like ashwagandha — and provides wonderful everyday support even in the months and year(s) after giving birth. We love this as a part of our everyday routines.
shop our Postpartum Kit here from our collaboration with Poppy Gifting.
We’d love to hear about your background and why you decided to create Milk Moon?
I created the products initially just for myself to use after I had my third baby. I was experiencing pretty major postpartum anxiety and depression and I wanted to avoid medication if possible. So I was exploring alternative options and really wanting to get to the root causes. I had been a birth and postpartum doula in the past, and I know how critical sleep is for moms with postpartum mood issues. I had terrible insomnia and knew that I wouldn't get better until I addressed that component. The first product I made was a sleep tincture (that would later become our Bring Me a Dream tincture), and it allowed me to sleep soundly for the first time in many months. That was the first tiny step toward healing. The better I slept, the better I felt, little by little.
I also knew that my nervous system was fried and that I was likely very depleted. I was an “older mom” and it was a surprise pregnancy so I didn't have the benefit of getting my body ready for the demands of pregnancy and postpartum prior to conceiving. So I started making formulas to address that as well.
As I worked on healing myself, I went super deep into the study of herbalism and reconnected with the natural world through these incredible healing plants. I did go to herb school, but honestly I learned so much more studying on my own and developing a deep personal relationship with the plants I was working with.
That year of healing and studying and trying to hang on for my baby and my older children was brutal and it tested me and it tested my marriage so intensely. But eventually I came out on the other side, and I was stronger and healthier than I had been even before my pregnancy!
At some point I started feeling a tug to put these formulas out into the world. It wasn't exactly a decision to create a business - it was more of a calling. Serendipitous things kept falling into place and I just had to hang on and say YES to opportunities and intuition along the way. I truly believe this business was created through me, not by me. Now with some distance, I feel deep gratitude for my challenging postpartum journey because it was the alchemy that birthed this company that allows me to be of service to other women and to the plants every day.
Can you walk us through what the ingredients are in the Restorative Tonic and what they each do to nourish the postpartum body?
Nettle, Alfalfa and Oat Straw: These nutritive plants provide several key vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron and b-vitamins, in a highly bioavailable form.
Raspberry leaf: In addition to its high calcium, magnesium, and iron content, the astringent properties of raspberry leaf help restore tone to the uterine and pelvic muscles and may help curb excessive uterine bleeding.
Dandelion (leaf and root): Supportive to the liver in processing excess postpartum hormones, helps relieve postpartum swelling, assists proper digestion, and aids in healthy elimination with it’s gentle laxative effect. Also rich in vitamin K, iron, potassium, and zinc.
Ashwagandha: Traditional postpartum practices around the world emphasize the need for warmth during the first 40 days after childbirth. Ashwagandha root is a warming adaptogen used in the Ayurvedic system to support endocrine function, regulate circadian rhythms, and encourage healthy stress response. It is known for its ability to restore and rejuvenate the whole body. It is also high in iron.
Ginger, Goji & Jujube: Commonly found in traditional Chinese postpartum meals and teas. Together they are warming and anti-inflammatory, improve circulation, nourish the blood, and increase energy levels.
Yellow dock root: Supports the body in assimilating the iron-rich herbs in our syrup, as well as iron containing foods in the diet. Healthy iron levels are critical for postpartum recovery and for sustaining normal energy levels.
Schisandra berry: These adaptogenic berries lend a tangy kick to the syrup, as well as support adrenal and immune system functions, counteract stress and increase mental clarity.
Rosehips: High in Vitamin C, which boosts the immune system, promotes wound healing, and enhances iron absorption in the body.
We notice that each of your products contain nervine and adaptogenic herbs. Can you tell us why that is so important?
Being a mother to young children in our modern society is incredibly taxing on the nervous system. Between the sleep deprivation, the constant state of alertness required to keep helpless little people alive, and the reality that we're generally mothering in isolation — we’re very dysregulated. Many moms exist in a constant low level state of fight or flight. Nervine herbs are one tool we can lean on to nourish and support our nervous system on a daily basis, and adaptogens help us to become more resilient to the stressors of motherhood over the longer term.
We’re so excited to have Milk Moon Tonic in this box for new moms. Why is the tonic a perfect gift?
People love buying baby gifts. There are so many great baby things, so that can be super fun, no doubt! But gifting something especially for a new mother goes a long way toward countering the invisibility many feel when pregnancy is over and the attention and care is redirected to the baby. Gifting something like Milk Moon sends the message that she is valued and her health and well being are important to the people around her.
I absolutely love when a gift order comes in and folks write an encouraging note to the new mama receiving the package. People write the most tender, beautiful things to their friends/family, and it makes me so happy to know that these women have such support. Sometimes mamas even write little pep talks to themselves in the notes section! It chokes me up a little every time.
On a practical level, the tonic is a super easy element of self care that doesn't require much effort. She can pour a few tablespoons into some tea or a big jug of water that she can sip on throughout the day, as a way to replenish herself as she cares for her baby.
The Tonic bottle itself is beautiful and luxurious feeling as well, and I think surrounding ourselves with beauty can be healing and uplifting.
