Support Herbal Community Care for Altadena

I am reaching out for donations to help make and distribute herbal community care packages for Altadena residents affected by the Eaton fire.

When this devastating fire tore through my community in January, thousands lost their homes, loved ones, loved places, and sense of safety.

My husband, two kittens, and I were displaced, and my heart ached as I wanted to help but didn’t know how. Though I desperately wanted to be on the ground volunteering, I was also in the midst of breast cancer treatment and healing from surgery, so I had to accept aid from others first—everything from groceries to mental health support and clothing donations.

Kindness from friends and strangers helped carry me through. Now I’m ready to be of service and contribute my skills as an herbal medicine maker to help ease the suffering of others. But I can only do so much on my own, so I’m inviting you to join in this collective effort of care.

✦ Why now? ✦

In the first weeks after the Eaton fire, an immediate outpouring of support helped to lift our community up. However, as the fire has faded from the news, many folks feel that they’ve been forgotten. Though the embers have cooled, the people of Altadena now face overwhelming physical, financial, psychological, and emotional burdens.

While thinking about the plants I’ve observed in our local mountains and foothills, I’ve considered how native plant communities here have adapted for fire. Some plants, such as toyon and scrub oak, can quickly resprout after being burned. Others, like ceanothus and yerba santa (both pictured above), have seeds that germinate after a fire. Wildflowers including lupines help bring nutrients to the soil, preparing the ground for others to flourish.

In the aftermath of destruction, the land regenerates—but renewal doesn’t happen all at once. Community care, like regrowth, is needed in various forms and at different stages.

With your help, every sip of herbal tea will offer a moment of calm and a reminder that people care.

✦ What's in the care packages? ✦

The care packages will include handcrafted tea blends and hand-sewn fragrant sachets with herbs that offer nourishment and grounding. Favorite plant allies including lavender, hawthorn, rose, lemon balm, and others have been chosen to help soothe frayed nerves, support the heart in times of grief, and foster rest and relaxation. Each package will also include printed information about the herbs.

✦ Who will receive the care packages? ✦

The care packages will be free to Altadena/Pasadena/Sierra Madre residents affected by the Eaton fire, and they will be distributed on a first come, first served basis (either hand delivered or mailed to those displaced from the area). Information about how to request a care package will be shared through word of mouth and online. My goal is to make at least 100 care packages; the number of care packages I'm able to make will depend on the donations raised.

✦ Who’s organizing this? ✦

I'm Emily Han, an herbalist, naturalist, and author from Altadena, California. I’m volunteering my time to this project; however, as I’m displaced and my apothecary was lost to contamination, I am relying on donations for the supplies. (My mom provided the organic cotton thread to sew the sachets!) I promise that every dollar you donate will be put toward care package supplies such as organically grown herbs, tea bags, and mailing supplies.

Thank you for being part of this collective care action. Every contribution makes a meaningful difference, and no donation is too small.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Emily