How It Began

The Herbalist Behind the Anvil

Herbal Anvil was founded by Jessica — a practicing herbal educator, certified herbalist, certified family herbalist, certified nutritional herbalist, and the creator of Morning Glory Botanicals skincare. She has been studying herbs and supporting family members with traditional herbal medicine since the age of 14. She attended Dr. Christopher's School of Natural Healing and spent four years at Nutrition West — an herbal supplement store — helping customers find the right supplements and teaching classes, until the store's retirement in the fall of 2026.

Her path to Herbal Anvil began long before she ever considered opening a business. During her high school years, she was asked what she planned to do with the college education she had decided to pursue. Her answer was honest and straightforward: use it to become a better mother and help the people she loved. Apparently that was not a sufficient reason to educate herself, so in the moment — with no real intention behind it — she added, "Maybe one day I'll run a business." The matter was considered settled, and she returned to what she actually cared about: helping the people around her. The idea of opening a business would surface occasionally over the years, but the timing was never right and the desire was never truly there, so it was set aside without much thought. Then her sister offered to design a logo as part of a homework assignment. Jessica figured it couldn't hurt — maybe it would be useful someday. A few months later, she learned that her place of employment was closing, and she began praying and thinking carefully about what came next. To her own surprise, the idea of running a business kept coming back. With the support of family and friends, and what she describes as a great deal of God's guidance, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work. It has been a full and demanding season — long hours of study, hard work, and watching doors open to things she hadn't even thought to ask for, including the desire to run the business itself. With your support, she plans to be here for many years to come.

The name "Herbal Anvil" grew out of the logo — and while that logo was created without a specific purpose in mind, it came together in a way that, to Jessica, felt like God's plan long before anyone knew what it would be used for. The anvil came from Jessica's husband, who is as passionate about his smithing as she is about herbs. Not knowing what the logo might eventually represent, she wanted something that could work for both of them. The herbs inside the anvil were chosen quickly — Rosemary, Lemon Balm, and Chamomile — simply because they would be easy to recognize. When it came time to open the business, the deeper meaning became clear. The anvil represents strength and the process of being forged anew through heat and pressure. Rosemary, lemon balm, and chamomile represent the mental, spiritual, and emotional clarity and relief that can follow a season of difficulty and refinement. That meaning gave rise to the motto: Deeply Tested. Beautifully Renewed. It reflects one of the core reasons Jessica is so passionate about helping others with herbs — the understanding that we all go through seasons that leave us feeling worn and uncertain. Sometimes what we need most is help finding peace and settling into a new reality. Sharing that — through classes and through the products in Morning Glory Botanicals — is at the heart of everything Herbal Anvil does.

Deeply Tested. Beautifully Renewed.