Arandena Leh’mara
bioregional herbalist, environmental educator,
regenerative farmer, eco-landscape designer
Connect & view my resume on Linked In!
Passionate about creating connections between people, plants, and sustainable living, I bring over five years of diverse experience in herbalism, agroecology, environmental education, and ecological landscape design. With expertise spanning clinical herbalism, native plant propagation, and regenerative farming, I empower individuals and communities to integrate plant medicine and ecological practices into their lives. My approach blends traditional knowledge with modern techniques, promoting balance, accessibility, and resilience in personal and community health, and integration with the natural environment.
Clinical Herbalist Experience
Clinical Herbalist & Holistic Wellness Educator
Arandena Herbalist | Self-Employed | October 2024 to Present
In the current phase of my practice, I focus on providing personalized herbal consultations tailored to individual health needs. Each client’s journey begins with an in-depth assessment of their lifestyle, diet, and health history.
My practice integrates various traditional herbal modalities with modern nutritional science, ensuring a holistic approach to well-being. Clients are guided through the selection of herbal remedies and lifestyle recommendations that fit their unique profiles, promoting balance and wellness accessibly and sustainably.
I emphasize the importance of education, empowering clients to understand the benefits and applications of the herbs they use. Workshops and one-on-one sessions are available, fostering a deeper connection to herbal knowledge and earth-based practices.
As we move into 2025, my practice continues to evolve, aiming to nurture both individual healing and community resilience.
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In this phase of my practice, I focus on providing personalized herbal consultations tailored to individual health needs. Each client’s journey begins with an in-depth assessment of their lifestyle, diet, and health history. My work combines traditional herbal modalities with modern nutritional science, creating a holistic approach to well-being.
Clients are empowered to take an active role in their healing journey as we explore customized herbal remedies and lifestyle recommendations. My practice also emphasizes education through one-on-one sessions and workshops, fostering a deeper understanding of plant medicine and sustainable, earth-based practices.
As my practice evolves in 2025, I continue to focus on nurturing both individual healing and community resilience, ensuring that support remains accessible and impactful.
Community Herbalism Clinic
March 2024 to Present
Prior to opening my professional practice, I worked with my family and community to provide holistic wellness advice and herbal remedies. I served over 60 community members with free, personalized consultations and individualized herbal support plans.
Going forward, I seek to bolster the sustainability of my community work through hosting volunteer work days at the herb farm, opening a free community apothecary for folks to learn about, grow, and harvest herbs together, and make their own custom herbal remedies. I will still work directly within my local community to provide free access to herbal education and formulas, and will open free clinical consultations regularly for those in financial need.
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Before launching my professional practice, I served my community by providing free holistic wellness advice and herbal remedies. Over 60 individuals benefited from personalized consultations and tailored herbal support plans during this time.
Looking forward, I’m working to expand this effort by creating a free community apothecary where people can learn about, grow, and harvest herbs together. This space will also offer opportunities to craft custom remedies. Regular volunteer workdays on the herb farm will further the vision of accessible herbal education while fostering a sense of collective care.
I am committed to offering free clinical consultations for individuals in financial need, building on my belief that healing should be available to everyone, regardless of resources.
Crafting Herbalist Experience
Founder, Worker-Owner, Herbalist, Agro-ecologist, CFO, CMO, & CTO
Hidden Lotus Herbs - Cooperative Apothecary & Agroforestry Farm
November 2023 to Present
As the founder of Hidden Lotus Herbs, I’ve created a space where community, sustainability, and healing intersect. My work here includes crafting herbal remedies and fostering a regenerative farming system that respects the land and local ecosystems.
Workshops, foraging walks, and sliding-scale education programs are central to this cooperative’s mission. Through these, I’ve connected with over 60 attendees, offering hands-on learning experiences about plant medicine and agroforestry practices.
At Hidden Lotus Herbs, every product and program is a reflection of my commitment to creating a sustainable, community-oriented model of healing and ecological stewardship.
Teaching & Speaking Experience
Hidden Lotus Herbalism & Foraging Workshops
Led four donation-based, sliding-scale herbalism workshops in 2024
Facilitated a donation-based foraging walk in 2024
Reached 60+ attendees with accessible education on plant medicine in 2024
Public Presentations
“Home Wildscaping Basics” - Library Event with Sustainable Denton & Wildscapers Landscaping
Urban Ecology Walk (2022) - Public Tour Event with Denton Transit Posts
Publications
Podcasts
Coming Soon
Boards & Clubs
Texas Master Naturalists - Box Turtle Headstart, Family Camping Night, Mindfulness in Nature walks
Education
Certifications
Introductory Herbalism Course
Intermediate Herbalism Course
Business Herbalism Course
Herbal Academy | November 2023 to Present
Commonwealth Holistic Herbalism
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School of Evolutionary Herbalism
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Basic Life Support - CPR & AED Certified
November 2022 to Present
First Aid / Exigent Care Certification - in progress
Wilderness First Aid Cert - in progress
Disaster / Emergency Clinic Training - in progress
Ecology Experience
Native Plant Nursery Associate
Painted Flower Farm | February 2024 to Present
My role at Painted Flower Farm involves nurturing native plants for landscaping projects, conservation efforts, and home gardens. I’ve honed my skills in propagation, seed-starting, and plant care, all while sharing knowledge about native species with customers and community members.
By supporting native plant biodiversity, I help create spaces that sustain pollinators, wildlife, and resilient ecosystems, ensuring that our landscapes thrive in harmony with nature.
Nature Preserve Attendant
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA)
May 2023 to Present
At LLELA, I work to connect the public with the natural world through educational programs and preservation efforts. My role involves leading engaging workshops, facilitating guided nature walks, and assisting with habitat restoration projects.
By fostering deeper connections between people and their environment, I aim to inspire a greater sense of responsibility toward preserving local ecosystems. This work has allowed me to merge my passion for education with my dedication to ecological restoration.
Natural Farming & Earthwork Experience
Agroecologist, Natural Farmer, and Ecological Restorationist
Hidden Lotus Herbs
November 2023 to Present
At Hidden Lotus Herbs, I co-steward an off-grid regenerative farm, where our team employs beyond-organic, no-till farming methods to cultivate native herbs and maintain the health of our local ecosystem. My work is rooted in a commitment to reciprocity with the land and respect for the wildlife and pollinators who call it home. We prioritize soil restoration, ecosystem vitality, and sustainable harvesting practices, ensuring we leave an abundance for nature while working medicinally with what remains.
Key aspects of my regenerative practices include:
Agroecology and Soil Health: We cultivate a diverse array of native herbs using no-till, regenerative methods that enhance soil fertility, minimize disturbance, and sequester carbon. Each planting is tailored to local ecological conditions to support resilience in a changing climate.
Ecosystem Restoration: A portion of our land is dedicated to a nature preserve, where we actively restore habitats. One of our most cherished projects involves reviving the remnant harvester ant population, whose presence is vital to maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
Collaborative Land Stewardship: Our farm is a cooperative effort shared among myself and my partners, Dustin and Autumn. Together, we blend expertise in agroecology, permaculture, and ecological restoration with creative solutions that amplify our community impact.
In addition to land stewardship, our work extends to the community:
Herbal Mutual Aid: A portion of our proceeds supports local herbal mutual aid clinics and care package distributions. We also provide free educational workshops and volunteer opportunities for those interested in learning to grow, harvest, and craft herbal remedies sustainably.
Education and Outreach: I regularly teach about regenerative farming, native plants, and permaculture, empowering others to cultivate their own landscapes in harmony with nature.
Contributing to Justice and Healing: We allocate 10% of every sale to organizations like the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board, Indigenous Rewilding, and Jubilee Justice, aligning our work with values of land healing and reparative justice.
Our farm is more than a workplace—it’s a living expression of our shared vision for ecological harmony and human connection to the Earth. Working with us means contributing to a mission that prioritizes healing, regeneration, and justice for the land and all its inhabitants.
This work is a collaborative journey of passion and purpose, made possible by the diverse talents of our cooperative members:
Dustin, who brings expertise in permaculture, natural farming, and nutrition, serves as a guiding light in maintaining the ecological integrity of our farm.
Autumn, an artist and skilled builder, enriches the farm with innovative engineering solutions and creative energy, helping us transform ideas into sustainable realities.
Every project at Hidden Lotus Herbs is a step toward cultivating an intentional, resilient community that nurtures both people and the planet.
Ecological Landscape Designer, Landscaper, Nursery Manager, and Community Educator
Wildscapers Landscaping · Contract
August 2021 to October 2024 · 3 yrs 3 mo | Denton, Texas
During my time with Wildscapers, I partnered with clients to create ecological landscapes that beautifully balanced their aesthetic goals with ecological integrity. Each project began with thoughtful consultations to design low-maintenance, water-efficient spaces that supported desired wildlife and upheld ecological care.
I used tools such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Landscape Pro, and Promethean AI to craft artistic yet functional designs, tailored to client budgets and needs. My hands-on work extended to managing a 100% native plant nursery, growing a diverse range of species from seed in varied environments like greenhouses.
Community outreach was a cornerstone of my work, as I shared knowledge about ecology, gardening, wildlife habitat, and indigenous plant and fungi uses. I also organized and led educational events, such as workshops and market booths, ensuring these resources were accessible to everyone.
Collaborating with a skilled team, I contributed to designing, installing, and maintaining projects ranging from native plant landscapes and ecological restoration sites to agro-ecology farms and permaculture gardens. I took pride in developing an original line of foraged plant and fungi products, merging creativity with environmental stewardship.
“Our lives are inseparably woven into the tapestry of Earth’s vitality and its vast and varied inhabitants. By protecting and restoring native landscapes and wildlife, we nurture the planet we all share, and in doing so, we also heal ourselves and our communities.”