Down Alice’s Rabbit Whole
Alice’s Rabbit Whole is a place of learning, relationships, and healing. We sell their original line of hand-crafted artisinal herb products created and fine tuned over the last 40 years. Alice offers many other services that you have to check out. Below is an interview we had the delight of doing with Alice of Alice’s Rabbit Whole. This was originally published in the January / February 2019 Cooperative Spirit so we can’t say this article is still 100% accurate, but what holds true is Alice’s commitment to her product and the friends she calls customers.
All images in this article are from Alice’s Rabbit Whole’s website: Thanks Alice!
How was Alice's Rabbit Whole born?
My life’s business was born out of years of taking care of myself, my children, and others, also from 40-some years of herbal plant study through classes, books, and conferences. In 1993, I finished massage school, moved to the Amherst area, and started my own massage/herb practice. After taking a permaculture class in 2006, I realized that if I was to stay in business it needed a facelift, hence naming it Alice’s Rabbit Whole and a whole lot of organizing.
What was your goal when first creating your business?
I didn’t have one; I was just raising my children and doing the next thing that I felt compelled to do. When you’re in the middle of living it, it doesn’t seem crazy, it only seems right, but looking back now I can only think I must have been looney. There are easier ways to make money to raise your children and pay the bills.
What products and services do you provide?
My product line includes salves, infused oils, syrups, and many different single and combination herbal tinctures. I do have a few shake or smoothie mixes, and I also have a line of bitters and complementary teas that work with the digestive system. I have over 20 different tea blends which are made for purpose first and flavor second. I feel it’s time to embrace what plants actually taste like without added flavorings, I think it is part of the healing process. My full product line is viewable on my website.
I also do a lot of mentoring and consultations. I sell dry formulas of some of my products and sell bulk herbs. Some classes and presentations are done throughout the year.
What was the first product you ever crafted using herbs?
The first three products that I made for my children, I still make. Those are Digestive tincture (30 years ago), Sweet Monthly tea/tincture (25 years), and BabyChild remedy (26 years). All best sellers.
Do you use locally-sourced or organic ingredients?
I source my herbs from many different places and vendors, but they are always organic or wild-crafted. I locally source some of my herbs out of my backyard gardens, off of my land, or from other clients’ land.
How do you come up with ideas for new products?
First, it’s simply because of people’s needs and problems. Second, my inner bosses, they can be very direct and persistent until I make what it is that I am being shown to create. Third, it seems I just can’t stop making things. I’ve tried, believe me!
Is there an herb or category of herb that has inspired you the most?
It’s two really, the bitters and the tonics. The bitters are all about helping digestion happen, cleansing and toning the organs which in turn basically affects your whole being and the tonics are basically about bringing strength to your whole being. It’s the areas where herbs can come in small daily doses which can be part of your daily food consumption instead of being an extra supplement, like having to remember to take your medicine.
Do you have any advice for people who want to bring herbs into their life?
Just start where you’re at and learn about a plant. Food herbs or weed herbs are a great place to start because they are easy to acquire. Which one? Walk outside. Maybe it’s the one by your foot. Before you know it, you’ll have the knowledge of many plants.
Realize that all of us already are using “herbs” in our lives. We just don’t recognize them as such. The question is, what makes a plant an herb, and what makes a plant, food. Don’t they basically serve the same function: to help you maintain balance, an equilibrium in your mind-body construct?
When we realize the help that our food plants do for us, we’ll see how many of them could fit into the herbal category. Begin by looking at the plants/food you already use and learn what actions they have on the body. They all do something! Do they warm you? Do they have cleansing abilities? Do they make you pee? Do they ease congestion?
One plant at a time will do it.
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As life unfolds and I find myself here in business, I do wonder why and what for and where is this taking me. There is an unfolding: More locally-sourced? Cooperative business model? Product line supported learning center? Time will tell what that is.
What has surprised you most about your enterprise?
Hmmm. That I’m still here? I thought that I got to run away to the mountains, hike, play in streams, and paint--isn’t that what you get to do when your children have grown?
What can you attribute to Alice's Rabbit Whole's success?
Success, now that’s a loaded word, not one I use. A word based on too many expectations and judgements as far as I’m concerned. So with that said, let’s just say, I have a very strong inner sense that helps me to keep showing up for the next thing that needs to be done or created and it maintains that I serve my time on planet Earth in a be-of-service mode.
I bought a 38-acre Amish farm 25 years ago. In the first few years, the Amish continued to farm some of the fields, but since then the land has been allowed to rest and regenerate itself. I do continue to plant trees, shrubs, and other perennials or biannuals out in the fields. They are for harvest or simply for the purpose of getting to know them and maybe for the creation of a future “herb” walk-through out the property.
If you had magical powers and could make any herb/plant on the planet grow well in Wisconsin, what would it be and why ?
The first plant that popped into my head was the neem tree. It is a very pretty tree and very useful as a medicinal tree, whether that be in your garden, for your animals, or yourself. It is my favorite herb for helping Lyme disease. On a personal note, I’ll take a mango tree. Love the sweet juiciness and the green sourness! It does double duty on the flavor spectrum.
