Our Story
Mayanaiya Botanicals is a female collective of healers, herbalists, and seekers. We are deeply committed to accessible wellness for everyone. In 2018, our co-founders, Julia Rose and Stephanie Chastan enlisted the help of two amazing herbalist friends to research, craft, and test herbal formulas to address a variety of ailments. And so, Mayanaiya Botanicals was born. We named our company for our children, Maya, Anais, and Seiya, channeling one of humankind’s best remedies: hope for a better path ahead.
MEET OUR CORE TEAM
JULIA ROSE, L.AC, MSTOM - CO-FOUNDER, FORMULATOR
Julia graduated from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in NY in 2003. As a full-time working mom of two, living on the side of a mountain, she struggles daily to slow down and listen to her inner sage. She is actively dedicated to serving her community on many levels—helping people feel better at her Chinese Medicine clinic; teaching kids how to grow food, eat healthy, and take care of the land; and leading project based humanitarian learning experiences at the local elementary schools. She continues to study with master teachers and to learn every day from her patients, peers, and children.
STEPHANIE CHASTAN - CO-FOUNDER, OPERATIONS
Stephanie brings vast institutional experience from marketing, sales and distribution to quality assurance and compliance in categories such as herbal supplements, food and media. Living the busy city life, Stephanie was seeking alternative treatments for herself and her young daughter who were both suffering from SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). She is also an advocate for allergy safe foods due to her daughter's food allergies.
JENNIFER COSTA, BS CRITICAL CARE RN, EM-CST - HERBALIST
Jen is a plant spirit medicine herbalist with over 20 years’ experience. She is also a Critical Care RN, cranio-sacral therapist, certified cannabis nurse, and the founder of the Eldermoon School of Herbs, where she teaches herbalism, self-care, and the art and craft of building and maintaining herbal gardens and apothecaries.
SUZANNE CONNOLE, L.AC, MSTOM- HERBALIST
Suzanne has been in private practice since graduating from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York in 2003. Specializing in women’s health, her goal is to provide a space for healing, ease the transitions through life, and help patients achieve their potential. Suzanne is committed to a life-long path of learning and to passing on the tradition and knowledge. She has been a faculty member at Pacific College and Tri-State College of Acupuncture for 15 years and was the was Chair of the Herbal Studies Department at Tri-State from 2015-2018.
A NOTE FROM STEPHANIE
One cold evening in the Catskill Mountains, my very stressed out, New York City burdened body gave out on me. No pharmacies would be open for at least 30 miles around and I was in pain. I called my neighbor Julia, a licensed acupuncturist, and herbalist. That evening, Julia quietly left a mason jar full of herbs brewing by the front door. I guzzled a cupful, slept, and woke up a new person. My pain was completely gone. It was a remarkable transformation. That is when I learned firsthand, that herbs, when used correctly under the right guidance, had incredible powers to heal. My daughter Anais is the reason I continued my exploration into the healing powers of herbal tinctures. I wanted a better way to treat my family. Wishing you all the best on your wellness journey. XO -Stephanie