1. edibleCOLUMBUS.com WINTER 2016 15
Wild
Origins
By Cheyenne Buckingham
icture the most eclectic, Pinterest-
worthy room imaginable. Now
throw in an accompaniment of the
trumpet in soulful jazz, which can be
heard playing softly in the background, comple-
menting the earthy aroma of freshly brewed
chamomile tea. This harmonious blend of sight,
smell and sound conveys the peaceful atmos-
phere that Columbus-based apprenticing
herbalist Aniko Zala has innately instilled in the
comforts of her own home. Her style and spirit
embody acquiring peace through natural
healing, which she expresses in her own line of
herbal remedies, including tinctures, body
creams and teas, called, Wild Origins.
Her passion for teas began when she was just a
child. She describes her mother as a prolific gar-
dener, who managed an epic garden encom-
passing the outskirts of the house. This piqued
Aniko’s interest for herbs from the get-go. She
never thought of turning this habitual aspect of
her childhood into a profession, however, until
after she entered her early twenties, which is
when she developed severe stomach problems
that countless doctors could not diagnose. That
is, until she met one who recommended a
natural fix.
“Finally, I had a doctor that listened to me and
suggested I try peppermint tincture. Peppermint
is an anesthetic to the stomach lining, so it just
stopped the pain I was having. It was so dra-
matic that I started studying other herbs I could
use to help my digestion.”
was instantly hooked after the first visit. Aniko
even sells some of the flower bouquets that Katie
pieces together at her markets. More impor-
tantly, the two share a trading system that en-
ables both of their new businesses to grow. What
Aniko receives in calendula and chamomile,
Katie gets back in several of Aniko’s products.
Overall, she’s very pleased with how her vision
has evolved in such a short span of time.
“It’s growing more than I can hope. It’s been a
really fun journey. I’m a maker, I’m a teacher and
I’m also addicted to learning and I love nature
and plants. It’s all of the aspects of my person-
ality that I get to use with this.”
Read more about Aniko and her products at my-
wildorigins.com. And visit ediblecolumbus.com for
Aniko’s herbal recommendations for the winter
blues, including a recipe for fire cider.
Cheyenne Buckingham is a health food and fitness
writer at Ohio University. In addition to contributing
to Edible Columbus, she also freelances for Eat
This, Not That magazine.
edible WELLNESSPHOTOSBY©RACHELJOYBAREHL,RACHELJOYBARANSI.COM
It was this pivotal moment that catalyzed Aniko
to begin research into what herbs would actually
take away the root of the stomach problems,
rather than just easing their symptoms. These
findings led her to discovering ways to cope with
other kinds of ailments, including intense stress,
which she dealt with often as a middle school
teacher.
“All of the products that I make are from (health)
issues that I wanted to correct in myself or in
friends and family.”
It’s this personal touch that separates this new-
found business from others of its kind. Since
March, Aniko has been teaching workshops at
local venues in Columbus like Under Aurora,
Tigertree, Replenish spa and STUMP Plants
where she gets to help people identify with what
she calls their plant allies; i.e., the herbs that will
help support their health. She teaches attendees
how to construct their own tinctures and leads
tastings of herbs and lectures about the health
benefits that come from the herbal blends she as-
sembles.
“I get to talk to people about stuff that makes
them feel like they can be empowered with their
own health.”
What’s even better is that she procures a large
portion of her herbs locally from Old Slate Farm
in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The partnership began
after owner Katie Reed took one of Aniko’s
classes. She asked her if she wanted to take a look
at her flowers and herbs at the farm and Aniko
P
Left: Aniko Zala of Wild Origins mixing one of her signature herbal tea blends.