IRIS Interviews | Rachel Landon
Naturopath and herbalist Rachel Landon is the co-founder of Wilder Botanics, an organic and sustainable line of products that provide luxurious, whole-body care. We caught up with her to talk daily routines, ‘wintering’ and leaving work at the office.
What inspired you to start Wilder?
Whilst practicing, I saw there weren't many places for my clients to buy organic herbal formulas or good-quality dried herbs. There also seemed to be a disconnect between the dried herbs I prescribed and my clients’ knowledge of the living plant, even though most of these were native to the UK, growing wild and available for them to forage for themselves. I felt that this botanical knowledge, and the stories and folklore attached to it, needed to keep being told. All this is what brought Wilder to life.
What do you enjoy about running your own business?
I love the creativity that running our own business brings, and the freedom of choosing our own hours to work around the kids, but this can also mean we often end up working all hours, seven days a week.
What are your wellness tips for January?
Keep wintering: lots of seasonal root veg, soups, bone broths, and nutrient-dense herbs such as nettle and dandelion. Rest, rest and more rest. Stretching; yin yoga; long, frosty walks; hot baths with mineral salts and clay; lymph massage with organic oils; and – something I always recommend – dry body-brushing from the soles of the feet always towards the heart in 4-5 strokes.
How do you achieve some calm and balance in your daily life with all its competing demands?
Somehow, working with my partner, Charlie – who is also the co-founder of Wilder – allows stress levels to be diluted, as I’m able to talk to him about any worries. But we do struggle sometimes with the work-home balance and we are trying hard to keep work in the studio. Charlie needs swimming to de-stress and I find yoga really helps. We’re also in bed by nine!
What are your three picks from the IRIS collection this season?
I’m loving the Luca Jeans – they are so comfortable but still fit really well on the bum! I also love the soft, cotton Vida Blouse because it’s not overly feminine and works in both my winter and summer wardrobes. For work I sometimes need to look smart but still feel like myself, and the beautifully tailored Bailey Check Blazer achieves that perfectly. I’ve shopped at Iris for 20 years! I can always find the pieces that suit me: timeless, easy styles and feminine blouses.
What is your daily routine?
I always finish my day with Immortelle Cleansing Oil with a hot cloth and then a splash of ice-cold water followed by our Recovery Night Oil. In the morning, I splash my face with ice-cold water again and then I give my face a really good lymph massage with our Phyto Radiance Day Oil followed by a little bit of brow and eyeliner, a touch of blusher and lip balm.
What are you reading?
I used to be an avid reader but now I fall asleep! I've borrowed a book from a friend that I’m loving right now though: All Fours by Miranda July. I highly recommend it.
