Rachel Budde is a clinical herbalist and artist, who brought those ideas together to create herbal self care brand Fat and the Moon. These formulas are born out of her education as an herbalist, and she credits the deep herbal culture of her Slovenian heritage, as well as her highly respected mentors and teachers such as ethnobotanist Kat Harrison, Dr. Aviva Romm MD, TCM practitioner William Morris, and herbalist Joshua Moscat. Through Rachel’s work, she has conducted ethnobotanical research in Slovenia since 2015, keeping herbal traditions from her heritage alive. She offers free educational opportunities through her monthly live classes on topics ranging from herbs for sleep to spiritual applications of plants. You can check those free offerings out here. She also offers more in depth classes and one on one personal consultations, for more information check out her website here.
As an herbalist, I am so excited to welcome in a brand that puts the Earth, herbal traditions, women’s health, and a simple earth-conscious approach to self care first. The first thing to know about Fat and the Moon is that all of the formulas are designed to be created in small batches by a small team, with minimal ingredients. Their formulas are designed to make sense when you read them, with whole ingredients such as Calendula, Burdock, Marshmallow Root, seaweeds, and more. Fat and the Moon also emphasizes that packaging is an ingredient! Any successful brand WILL have an environmental impact by utilizing a vast amount of packaging, which is why they’ve opted to use glass jars, paper boxes, compostable ink, aluminum shaker tins, etc. to eliminate excessive waste. The only plastic used is in parts where replacements do not yet exist in the market i.e. pump tops for oils and serums. This was my biggest reason to give them a big place in the aisle.
Fat and the Moon’s name is a testament to the basics of what is contained in the products – a combination of essential and protective moisturizing fat, and the water element that is symbolized by the moon. Their 3 lines – skin care for face and body, makeup, and pregnancy and baby care all include basic herbal ingredients and provide options for oily and acne prone, combination, and dry skin alike. I know I’m excited to incorporate their products into both daily and Halloween wear.
