Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy Griffin.
Judy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Fifty- three years ago, I had twins with immune deficiencies and not expected to live. The pediatrician told me to find ways I could help every day. I immediately turned to my gardens to help the twins. I began making homemade topical lotions to apply on their legs and arms. Their skin bled constantly. The skin is the largest immune organ, and I worked to protect it. Progress continued with their health and less infections over a year and ongoing. They gained inner strength until their immunity was normal.
I applied this knowledge to clients I began attracting in beauty and nutritional programs. Their health improved with the tonics and topical products I prepared for them. My gardens expanded to meet demand, and the products increased with various complaints from clients.
My youngest child lost half his hearing at 2 years old. I was told he had nerve damage that was irreversible. The gardens produced a successful topical application. In 3 weeks, his hearing was 100% with full recovery of the nerves involved. The products and business grew with each new health challenge. Beauty products followed quickly with more demand for natural skincare as well.
I expanded from private practice into doctor’s offices and hospitals. The most important contract to me included making natural, calming scents and lotions for pain, lymphedema and edema at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. This included aromas for bone and stem cell transplants, organ transplants, many types of cancers, cardiac, pulmonary, diabetes, difficult pregnancy and every department in this huge hospital complex. The aromas were used to reduce side effects of medicines and especially emotional distress. Business and opportunities grew proportionately.
At night I taught classes at U.T.A. and T.C.U. about natural aromas and plants for health and beauty. The product line expanded as I learned what would be popular with students. I also lectured regularly in western Europe by invitation with other doctors into natural health, such as John Lee who promoted progesterone therapy.
Opportunities arrived to teach and sell to selective markets overseas. Today we grow and produce, often by hand, over 500 natural health and beauty products. I published Mother Nature’s Herbal, a classic book, the first multicultural herbal with floral distillation experiences learned over 20 years, still available after 30 years of publication. I have published several compatible books still available today: The Healing Flowers, Antique Rose collection are most popular.
To enhance my outreach, I used radio and television appearances in the U.S. and western Europe over 20 years. I also had my own radio program for Voice of America. The greatest opportunity was a documentary video, The Healing Power of Flowers, which aired on many television and cable stations for several years.
I also had a webstore since 1999. Webstores are a wonderful source of visibility and marketing. It has been more successful than social media for me. I will always prefer in person connections with customers as possible.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest difficulty was being a single female and mother of 3. I did not have a regular salary, and I did not take out loans for the business. So, I financed home and business from working. My joke was, I had a job to support each child and 1 for the business. I worked from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. most days, with faith, family and schoolwork a priority. We earned just enough money for all our needs each month and year.
When I first began working in the late 1960’s, women were excluded if pregnant and often married women could not work for the same company as their husband. It was better for me to work for myself, but it was not easy. I did love the freedom to make time for the kids’ special concerns. I combined cooking for the kids and cooking classes with clients. The family dog was also included.
Although I did not always fit in with the norm, I found creative ways to keep the kids safe and entertained. They felt special more than different from others. Their friends were very interested in the gardens and some of the products. As a single woman, I had more clients than friends. We gave garden tours to many garden groups, which we all enjoyed.
I often used our products to overcome fatigue leading to inflammation. I suffered from Crohn’s in my 30’s and 40’s. I couldn’t afford insurance for myself, so I used my products to help me balance and changed foods to reduce inflammation. I reacted to medicine that was available at the time, so my choices were narrow.
I also developed simple beauty products to avoid the high cost and allergic reactions from conventional skincare. I am 76 years old now and this photo of me was taken a few months ago. I believe our skincare kept my skin healthy.
As the children matured, they helped tremendously with business matters and still do. The youngest son is now co-owner. And the twin boy always travels to help in the gardens.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Although I began making aromatic enfleurage essences to wear, over time, I earned a PhD. in the nutritional field. I was always known for natural health, growing and using herbs for health and beauty. My parents were from Italy, so we use lots of herbs for cooking and natural skincare. The most important understanding is that we are part of Nature with no desire to control this beautiful creation.
With clients, I prepare hand- made aromatic special blends for topical use along with teaching them their biochemical individuality for foods. I may prepare herbals as tinctures if it is appropriate with their medical background. I may teach what essential oils, herbs and foods they can or cannot use with diabetes, hypertension, allergies etc. This is especially important if they use medications that are not compatible with certain herbs, essential oils and foods. For example, ginger reduces nausea, but it can increase bleeding, which is not good for cancer or people with thin blood, easy bleeders.
I also use hair analysis to balance minerals and unique metabolism for some clients. Everything I do is meant to teach the person how to achieve maximum care. Unfortunately, environmental toxins may be undermining health. This is best determined through hair analysis. I make specific aroma health essences for environmental toxins and sensitive individuals.
Mineral patterns begin in the womb, like our individual scent, which can be enhanced with mineral balance. Taking a multi mineral or vitamin doesn’t correct a mineral imbalance. Eating specific foods and avoiding certain essential oils is most beneficial. It’s avoiding certain foods clients have the most trouble doing!
In Aromatherapy, we offer over 500 prepared blends and products online that have been researched for many years. Most are handmade and organically grown in our gardens. In private, I make blends for various symptoms and to enhance the unique aroma we are each born with. We carry this aroma throughout our lives. Our aroma subconsciously attracts people and opportunities in our lives.
I love the challenge and learning from each experience.
I also make aromas, beauty and topical health products for practitioners, hospitals and spas.
I have been busy for over 45 years. Creativity in my field set me apart from many. I perceive problems and solutions differently than others.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters to me most is to do a good job. I listen to what people are telling me with their words and body language. Then I must listen within for guidance. The same problem is not solved individually with foods, herbs and aromas.
Whether I am tending to our 80+ old garden roses or working with cancer patients, I am searching for the best ways to assist. I must engage the person or caretaker, so we essentially work as team.
I will also tell the client how I can help without expectations. I don’t suggest people stop medication or make decisions against medical advice. I work within my expertise.
When making a unique special blend for a client, I want it to be a new creation of nurturing for their specific needs and desires, releasing endorphins and creating a great self-image. I choose essences and absolute/essential oils to harmonize with the unique smell of the individual.
Personally, what matters in my life is I garden, or visit gardens daily. I love plants, especially aromatic plants. I also wear a favorite aromatic blend, such as Recall Memory daily and Deep Sleep at night. I enjoy making perfumes without chemical synthetics and learning new ways natural aromas can be beneficial.
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