MY STORY

My name is Andrea Bomo. I’m a journalist turned herbalist (yep, you’ve read that right!), a holistic health practitioner and wellness entrepreneur. I’m also a mom of two girls who are the inspiration behind our brand’s name. You may wonder how I got from journalism to herbalism? Well, it’s a long story that I like to share: a story of hope, resilience and the power of herbal medecine.

How it all started

In my early twenties, I was suffering from chronic health issues and depression. At that time, I didn’t pay much attention to my health, diet or mental health. I didn’t make healthy lifestyle choices and felt deeply disconnected from my body. On the outside, I seemed radiant and happy, always smiling, but on the inside, I was in deep pain. One day, during a routine consultation, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine pathology in women. This eventually led to a series of other issues that were all connected: hormonal acne, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, horrible PMS, irregular menstrual cycle, period cramps, chronic migraines and depression. I was at the worst physically, mentally and emotionally. In less than 5 years, I went through two major surgeries and was told by countless doctors that I had little to no chances to have children naturally. I was also told that there was no cure to these diseases that would likely come back even after surgeries. No treatment or alternative solutions were offered to me. I would have to deal with this for the rest of my life.

Then I had a wake-up call

I decided to take my health into my own hands by exploring natural alternatives and listening to my body’s needs. I changed my diet, educated myself on medicinal herbs and nutrition, and worked on my emotional health. Herbal remedies became part of my daily wellness routine: I was making herbal tea blends in my kitchen and using them daily. While making all those changes, I also realized how connected our minds and bodies really are, the importance of using food as medicine, and listening to my body’s wisdom. 6 months later, most of my symptoms were gone, my cycle became regular and pain-free and I got pregnant naturally. A few months following my daughter’s birth, I got pregnant again and gave birth to my 2nd miracle baby.

a new journey began

My natural wellness journey may have started years ago, but the idea of this company was planted in my mind almost a year after my first child was born. After a difficult pregnancy and birth, and another baby on the way, I felt exhausted and didn’t know how to properly take care of myself and my baby. My daughter experienced several health issues common in children such as colics and eczema, so I went through the rabbit hole again looking for natural alternatives to soothe her. After trying a new herbal balm I made in my kitchen, my daughter was doing much better, her eczema cleared up and this marked the beginning of this adventure.

I knew in my heart that there must be other women our there experiencing similar issues and desperately looking for ways to get better.

The holistic approach, which integrates all aspects of our lives (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) has since become the foundation of my work, family life and lifestyle. The birth of my miracle babies was the trigger I needed to launch Ann & Eli Apothecary with the intention to help other women on their wellness journey, from period to postpartum and beyond!

To learn more about my holistic health coaching services, book a consultation or ask a question, contact me at hello(a)anneliapothecary.com. I’d love to hear from you!