Behind Yerba Bruja
¡Hola! My name is Xiommy (See-om-e) Rohena Rodríguez [she/they] and I am an herbalist with caribbean, Ayurvedic and western herbalist training, activist, & educator from Borikén (Puerto Rico).
My path focuses on reclaiming ancestral traditions as a form of liberation and colonial resistance. Many years ago I decided to d-i-y my way through life to gain skills and it eventually led me to falling in love with plants and wanting to tend to them forever. Sharing my creations and knowledge with you comes from the heart. Enjoy <3
PS. I thank my abuelas, mamas, tías, maestras and amazing mother and father for my balance of a big heart, knowledge, feistiness and some discipline.
Education & Life Experience
1992 Harvested my first recao for my parents’ sofrito
1996 - present Guava tree got removed from my backyard, still traumatized about it
1999 Used yerba bruja from the yard as an ear remedy, first potion I remember making
2009 Historias Uterinas (zine and reproductive justice project) & CCC infoshop were created
2011 Began participating in agricultural projects in Puerto Rico
2016 Officially unofficially began my herbal studies in California
2016 Marianne Wells Yoga School 200 YTT
2016 - 2021 Making beautiful potions and chatting away at By Nieves Handmade Natural Body Care
2017 Yerba Bruja is born
2018 Northern California Women’s Herbal Symposium
2019 Sankofa Reclaiming Traditions BIPOC Herbalism Course with Sade Musa
2019-2020 Northwest Institute of Ayurveda Ayurvedic Health and Nutrition Program
2019 Northwest Institute of Ayurveda Pulse & Marma Course
2019 Northwest Institute of Ayurveda Aromatherapy Certification Course
2019-2020 Northwest Institute of Ayurveda Ayurvedic Cuisine Course
2020 Cura Series - BIPOC historical trauma, ancestral wisdom & collective healing with plant allies
2020 Rootwork Herbals The People’s Medicine BIPOC School
2020 Northwest Institute of Ayurveda Ayurvedic Medicine Making Course
2020-2021 Northwest Institute of Ayurveda Herbalist Training Program
2021-present Intern Supervisor - Northwest Institute of Ayurveda Herbalist Training Program
2021-present Intern Supervisor - Ayurvedic Living School Herbalist Training Program
2021-present Instructor- Medicine Making, SV Ayurveda Cooking - Ayurvedic Living School
2022 Decolonizing Herbalism - Indigi Golden Herbals
2022 Marigolde School Postpartum Ancestral Kitchen Apprenticeship