Meghan Henshaw is an herbalist, educator, and owner of Ocotillo Herbals. She was also the inaugural member of our Practitioner Program, and we want to share her magic with you, our community.

We had the opportunity to interview Meghan and get the full scope of the expertise she brings into her practice and the world.

Q&A WITH MEGHAN HENSHAW

Please tell us about your practice, your background and what led you to become a practitioner?

I first became interested in plants in my early twenties after working as a community garden coordinator in northern Wisconsin. I loved witnessing the seasonal changes in the garden and feeling a direct connection to the land. After working on a farm in Norway, I interned at the herb company Herb Pharm in Oregon for a season. While I was there, I began to learn about medicinal plant cultivation, as well as herbal formulation and product-making. I moved to New Mexico a few years later and after deepening my understanding of anatomy and physiology, I worked in an integrative clinic as a massage therapist for ten years. I later went on to get my BS in Herbal Science at Bastyr University then traveled overseas to England to complete my MS in Ethnobotany.

My path as a practitioner evolved slowly, powered by my curiosity about how the body works and observing how herbs, lifestyle shifts, food, and stress management can change the landscape of a person’s body. Working in a fast-faced integrative clinic alongside other practitioners for a decade really allowed me to polish my question-asking skills when meeting with clients. I like sleuthing the origins of an individual’s complicated health history and connecting them with other practitioners as needed so they feel supported and resourced regarding their wellness.

My interests are vast yet intertwined and that’s reflected in my current work as an herbalist. I still have an active massage therapy practice after almost 20 years of doing bodywork and I teach a variety of herb classes both locally and regionally. In my herbal practice, I work one on one with clients to support them on their journey towards greater health and vitality. One of the most joyful moments of my week is working alongside a team of volunteers in the community garden where I grow a plethora of medicinal plants I use in my formulations and products. The garden acts a living classroom where I educate others about the cultivation, processing, and therapeutic use of plants that flourish in the Ohio River Valley.

Do you have one herb in your practice that you seem to repeatedly turn to? Why do you think you are drawn to it?

Ooo it’s hard to pick just one but linden is one of my favorite nervine herbs that I often recommend to clients. I live in urban Cincinnati and there are so many linden trees all over the city to harvest from. I always get excited when I find a new tree!

How does the Fat and the Moon Practitioner Program align with your values and goals as a practitioner?

I love the variety of products that FATM makes and am proud to be part of their practitioner program. I am confident in the quality of ingredients used in their products-it makes it easy to recommend them to clients. I use the sore muscle salve during massage sessions and it’s a client favorite for tense neck muscles. FATM’s emphasis on clean products, ethical ingredients, and minimal-waste packaging is in total alignment with who I am as a person and practitioner.

What are you most excited about in your practice right now?

I’m pumped about teaching herb classes both locally and regionally in the Midwest. Recent class topics include medicinal plant identification in the garden, supportive herbs for queer health, and heart-centered herbs for the anatomical and emotional heart. In 2025, I’ll be teaching virtually at a integrative wellness space in Minneapolis and am excited for the connections and expansion that that opportunity will bring! I’ve been able to connect more deeply with other practitioners via a lovely mentorship program run by fellow herbalist Camille Freeman-it’s been a joy to feel the support of other herbalists all over the country via her weekly meet ups and deepen my own knowledge via a variety of classes.

How can people connect with you to learn more or work with you?

The best way to find out about new classes, upcoming workshops, and general ethnobotanical musings is to join my monthly email list via my website or follow me on Instagram @ocotilloherbals. To schedule an in person or virtual herbal consult, feel free to email me (ocotilloherbals@gmail.com) or check out the scheduling link on my website (ocotilloherbals.com).

ABOUT THE PRACTITIONER PROGRAM

The FM Practitioner Program is an opportunity for holistic practitioners to share about our herbalist-formulated, natural products while earning commission and building community.

If you use or recommend Fat and the Moon products in your practice, this program is for you. With your unique link, you will earn commissions from clients who purchase products to continue their practice at home.

Fat and the Moon potions offer topical herbal medicine that can support your clients with head-to-toe botanical support. Our products range from oral hygiene, first aid, skin care, deodorant, hair care, and baby products.

To become a member, you need to be passionate about the power of herbal medicine, have an established holistic practice, and genuinely believe in our products.

Examples of practitioners are: Naturopathic Doctors, Body Workers, Doctors of Medicine, Nurse Practitioners, Doulas/Midwives, Holistic Dentists, Herbalists, Acupuncturists, Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists.

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