From Ashes to Action: How This Queer Chicana-Owned Shop Is Healing LA’s Lungs
I can no longer see the flames of the nearby wildfires from my window in Los Angeles—but conditions in the city are hardly back to normal. Even on days when the sky is blue, ash rests on surfaces, waiting to be stirred up by another gust of high-powered wind. Experts estimate that asbestos and other toxins will continue to swirl in the air for months to come, causing potential health concerns for residents all over the county.
I’m one of those unlucky asthmatics who has to carry an inhaler at all times (the chicest accessory, IMO), so I know just how agonizing breathing problems can be. I also know that a cup of herbal tea always eases my symptoms. So, when I read that Earthy Corazón, a Chicana-owned gift shop in East LA, was giving free herbs to those affected by local air quality, my interest was immediately piqued.
When times are good, it’s easy to see self-care as an afterthought—but during a health crisis, taking a moment to inhale some steam or sip a soothing concoction might immediately make a tangible difference. As a shop specializing in nature-based products such as candles, soaps, salves, and tea blends, Earthy Corazón understands. Community outreach is nothing new to founder and owner Ely Valdivia—Earthy Corazón hosts workshops and other events year-round, from yoga sessions to art exhibitions to food pop-ups. I reached out to her to talk about turning a passion into a business, finding intentional ways to provide aid during crises, and seeking natural healing in the shadow of a natural disaster.
Growing a business from the ground up (literally)
Like many small businesses, Earthy Corazón began as a labor of love in 2020. At that time, Valdivia was taking herbalism classes, eager to reconnect with ancestral wisdom and practices. As she studied the natural world, she used what she had learned to craft all-natural, healing-oriented gifts for her family and friends, “knowing that self-care is an essential liberation practice.” “The shop grew from that same energy—sharing the medicine we carry within, passed down from our ancestors,” she said.
It’s important to Valdivia that products are handmade and plant-based. “It’s about listening to the Earth and remembering that we are part of it,” she said. Although using nature to promote physical and mental wellness might seem ironic at a time when we feel at odds with the natural world, Valdivia emphasized that “healing ourselves and healing the Earth are interconnected.” This message feels especially relevant, given the role of climate change in creating fire hazard conditions.
Right now, it’s easy to think of fire as an innately violent force. Still, Valdivia is using this occasion to reflect on the metaphorical significance that the element has had for generations. “Fire, in particular, holds deep symbolism,” she shared. “It’s sacred and ceremonious but also activating. In its destruction, fire calls us to come together, to respond with care, and to imagine new ways of stewarding the Earth and each other.” Valdivia noted that this stewardship isn’t just crucial not only on the personal and community levels but also on the political level, citing the Land Back movement as a stride toward a more harmonious relationship with our environment.
How Earthy Corazón is Turning imagination into reality
Just two days after the Palisades and Eaton Fires broke out, Valdivia heeded their call. On the Earthy Corazón account, she posted on Instagram that she offered herbs for lung support and free masks. Within a day, they ran out of products. The following day, thanks to donations from the community, they were restocked—a testament to LA solidarity.
On January 18th, Valdivia decided to host a designated event for those feeling the physical effects of all the smoke and ash. Her friend Zumi made “nourishing home-cooked food”; another friend, Paolo Flores, provided free acupuncture services. This collaboration was particularly meaningful for Valdivia, a firm supporter of acupuncture herself: “Acupuncture has taught me so much about the body’s capacity to heal when given the right support. It’s become a practice of grounding and nourishment in my life, and I’ve seen its transformative impact on others.”
Valdivia plans to host similar events promoting lung care and holistic health practices in the future to become a “self-sustaining, community-driven herbal mutual aid apothecary.” In the meantime, she’s continuing to host other workshops “for connection, skill-sharing, and healing”—such as an upcoming “Intro to Mending” class. “We love working with people who want to share their natural gifts and talents,” she said. “We all have something beautiful to share.”
Rising from the ashes
Reading Earthy Corazón’s mission statement, I was struck by Valdivia’s dedication to doing everything “with intention.” When I asked her how this translated into action, she spoke about returning to rituals that felt grounding, such as “working with plant allies, sharing light through [her] creations, and holding space for [both] collective grief and [collective] hope.” Those last few words certainly hit home for me, as I’ve been flip-flopping between the two states of being all January.
Dealing with the emotional impact of a large-scale crisis takes time—just as it will take time for LA to rebuild what it has lost. That’s why, Valdivia expressed, it’s often best to “start small.” “Connect with the Earth, whether through herbs, a walk outside, or simply sitting with the sun,” she said. “Find practices that nourish you and bring you peace, and share them with others. Healing isn’t just individual. It’s something we build together.“
If you’d like to donate to Earthy Corazón’s efforts to provide lung support to the community, you can reach out via email or Instagram.
