Conversations: Anima Mundi

As the seasons start to change we’re coming back to small practices that ground us, infuse the everyday with special ritual, and that help us feel like our best self. And the perfect example of this: the wildcrafted line Anima Mundi, which we’re excited to welcome back to Gjusta Goods this month.

Founded by Costa Rica-born, Brooklyn-based herbalist and educator Adriana Ayales, Anima Munda was inspired by bridging ancient remedies with modern usage — beautiful, tradition-rooted offerings carefully created for optimizing wellbeing.

This weekend, Anima Mundi will be in our Venice shop for a special two-day pop up! Join us Saturday, 9/18 from 11am-5pm & Sunday, 9/19 from 11am-4pm to meet the brand’s ambassador Dorian and taste our Gjusta lemonade with Anima Mundi’s Curam elixir & Fruity Red Kombucha with Anima Mundi’s Euphoria elixir.

Below, we spoke with Adriana to learn more about the alchemy behind her line, and to discover more about what led her to founding Anima Mundi.

“Anima Mundi” – correspondence between all living things. Can you explain a bit more about what this means to you, and as the North Star for your work?

The term “Anima Mundi” is a term describing the intrinsic connection between all living things on the planet, which relates to the world in much the same way as the soul is connected to the human body. We are as much a part of the cosmos and world tree as much as it is a part of us, the macrocosm within the microcosm. Knowing this and contemplating this idea, the concept of how one heals opens oneself up to leads to the infinite. This leads to the idea that we are all simultaneously returning to our source.

Herbalism is ancient medicine, and I feel that collectively we are all seeking what we are indigenous to. The rituals and ceremonial aspects surrounding herbalism, food and wellness overall, thin the veil between us in today’s world, and our origin. Through these ancient rituals we can access a very sacred aspect to our source.

Can you explain a bit more about how you got started and what led to starting Anima Mundi?

Well, since I was a little girl I was always psychically open, with thanks to my grandmother and other healers in the family being the ones to nourish my gifts. As I got more comfortable, it was the plants that initially called out to me and began to teach me because I would sit and listen. Ever since then, the conversation has been ongoing and I have never stopped learning where a clear path for my life presented itself to me and I graciously followed.

For someone new to herbalism and herbal traditions, what are some introductory ways for connecting to plant-based medicines?

A great and safe introduction for new-comers would be Adaptogenic Mushrooms, such as our Adaptogenic Immortality powder or our Adaptogenic Tonic, as stress protective source, and overall boost. Or our Happiness tonic that is also a stress relief tonic that helps by regulating and giving a mood boost. Other than that, you can choose your top 3 priorities for the season to keep things simple and manageable and choose herbs or blends that address those issues. It really is sooo easy to include herbs in your diet, from adding herbs to your coffee, tea, juice, water…. pretty much anything! We love including He Shou Wu in salad dressings, or soups, or cooking and baking with them as well.

Your creativity is the limit when it comes to this! On the flip side to approach walking on the path of herbalism, I encourage you to get acquainted with the plants right in your back yard…learn about them, meditate with them, acknowledge them… a door will definitely open for you. Also, a great place to start is to take the time to learn about the plants your ancestors used and incorporating them into your own traditions, practices and medicine-making.

Being from Costa Rica, how does your sense of place and relationship to place inform Anima Mundi?

The land you grew up on and live on in the present is always an important source of inspiration and connection….. The plants you see growing are those that are calling out to you to be worked with and drawn upon to spark curiosity. Whether that is in the Jungles of Costa Rica or on the sidewalks of NYC- it is the intrinsic connection to the land where all things can begin to blossom.

Finish the following: Taking care of yourself asks for – taking the time to get to know yourself.

Photos courtesy of Anima Mundi & Gjusta Goods