Leading the herbal revolution
Bonnie Lyn Montney has achieved what big corporates have failed to do. A lifelong Herbalist, she has combined ancient wisdom with cutting-edge research to promote wellness that is natural, holistic, and sustainable. Through her firm – Wild Medicine Apothecary, she integrates Ayurvedic, Chinese, indigenous, traditional European, and Astro-herbalism knowledge to come up with unique personalized remedies that treat the whole person, and not just the symptoms.
At the core of her therapy lies the healing power of nature and the therapeutic properties of plants. Explaining the essence of herbalism, Bonnie says, “I feel Herbalism in itself is a lifelong experiential learning experience. It starts with a passion for nature and a curiosity about what it can do. It is the most freeing form of Alchemy. It has delivered time and again since the dawn of time. Reading about, listening to, and working with plants hands on is the best way to learn about them and their potential.”
Based in Kennesaw, Georgia (USA), Bonnie believes our personal experiences very much shape everything we do in life. Her own background was both a blessing and a massive challenge as she set out on the path of natural healing. While her heritage brought her close to Herbalism and this career, her upbringing presented many challenges that affected her professional path. Coming from a background of poverty and generational trauma was not an easy hole to climb out of.
However, in her mother’s words: ‘Bonnie danced to the beat of her own drum’. Never one for convention or ‘status-quo’, Bonnie feels the rat race was designed to keep us out of the loop and disconnected from the Earth. We are a part of her and she is us. We all have a unique perspective and abilities that would benefit those around us.
This singularity of thought is what led Bonnie to apothecary. Considering that approximately 80% of the world population still uses holistic herbal remedies, her business portfolio comprises community and tradition at its heart. “My goal is to bring back traditional knowledge; availability of natural, holistic remedies; and a sustainable way of life. My desire is to make health and wellness available and affordable to all.”
Gritty and innovative, Bonnie is creating waves on the global stage. Some of her most recent laurels include:
07/2024 – Completion of Lost Remedies Academy.
08/2024 – Invitation to write for Brainz Magazine.
11/2024 – Acceptance into the Herbalist Guild.
11/2024 – Acceptance into the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetics Guild.
2024 – Featured on the Cover, with a 6 page article, of Insights Magazine.
For Bonnie however, her biggest achievement would always be, “Being a Mother to 5 amazing kids. Getting myself out of poverty and onto a prosperous path in life. Which in turn allowed me to provide a solid foundation for my children to grow and prosper. Professionally, launching my business has been my proudest accomplishment.”
Bonnie served as the Managing Partner for the Super Alliance for Sustainable Africa (SASA International Africa), following which she launched her firm – Wild Medicine Apothecary to create personalized remedies for the mind, body, and soul. In a short span, WMA has achieved international repute with its array of innovative products and community projects that support holistic well-being by addressing the root cause of imbalance and promoting long-term health.
A trailblazer in global environmental sustainability, WMA is committed to the cause in the following ways:
- Ethically Sourced Ingredients
- Eco-Friendly Packaging
- Green Manufacturing
- Community Engagement
Herself an inspiring thought leader, Bonnie describes leadership as not being afraid to rock the boat: “I firmly believe in creating more leadership in the world. At the very least, leadership in thought. Being a good leader means knowing when to follow. Following with thoughtfulness and purpose, for growth and development. Not to blindly follow.”
Inspired by the magical properties of the Earth, the ancient wisdom of her ancestors, and her thirst for continuous learning, Bonnie’s desire to bring about holistic transformation for a better future drives her efforts every single day. Her true passion is without a doubt Aki (the Anishinaabe’s/Ojibwe’s word for Earth) and the health and prosperity of it, as well as the next 7 generations (a key principle in Anishinaabe teachings). It is something that drives her business practices, the raising of her children, and the way she lives her life.
Always positive about the impact each one of us can make towards a more sustainable world, Bonnie leaves us with a little wisdom of her own: “Life is all about leaps of faith. Creating a list of things you need to accomplish before setting out on your goals is the easiest way to trick yourself into believing you don’t want it or deserve it. Go for it. You’ll figure it out along the way.”
