“Mānoa to me is the aroma of jasmine and puakenikeni and champaka that drifts and lingers in the air after sunset,” Deanna Rose said. “It’s the scent of musky, damp earth that rises up from the ground after a heavy rain. It’s a blissful mix of the sun shining through a downpour and thick, low clouds rolling over the mountain peaks.”
This is where Deanna Rose has spent the last twelve years cultivating a deep relationship with the land, the plants, and her craft. As the founder of Indigo Elixirs, her journey has been one of constant evolution, rooted in an unwavering commitment to creating botanical-infused wellness products that honor both nature and the local community.
Deanna's story began with a personal need—to find healthy, effective body care solutions for her exceptionally thick Armenian hair and perpetually dry skin. By 2009, she had developed a small line of products that she sold locally in Massachusetts. “In an effort to better understand the plants I was working with and their healing properties, I dove headfirst into learning herbalism. My herbal studies brought me to O‘ahu in 2012, and I slowly began reimagining my entire line, one product at a time, from whatever local ingredients I could find.”
Deanna said that she is inspired by the botanicals around her, “especially Hawai‘i grown ingredients that are abundant and underutilized, are a byproduct of another local industry, or are only available seasonally.” She is also excited by the challenge of “incorporating a unique ingredient into a product that people can enjoy, especially when it connects them to flora they might otherwise never interact with and provides another revenue stream for local growers.”
Her process is as meticulous as it is intuitive. A new product may be born from a dream, inspired by an unfamiliar local ingredient, or envisioned from the end goal backwards. Deanna experiments with micro test batches, refining texture and aroma before scaling up. Over the years, she has perfected an oil infusion method that makes her salves exceptionally potent, blending these oils with local beeswax to create the final product.
Sustainability is at the core of Indigo Elixirs. Deanna nurtures her tender relationship with plants, which she said are natural extensions of the earth. She consciously sources her ingredients from local farmers and her own garden, never foraging in the wild to ensure the delicate ecosystem remains undisturbed. Packaging is equally intentional—minimalist, reusable, and compostable whenever possible. “All of our labels and branding materials are printed on recycled paper.”
Her commitment to sustainability extends beyond her products and into the way she educates and inspires her customers to be mindful of the plants and resources around them. “I have always been in awe of plants,” she said. She imagines them as creatures that move in a different timescale and have their own unique form of consciousness.
“I believe that our earlier ancestors were naturally much more in tune with their senses and were able to use these abilities to gravitate towards the plants they needed. As an herbalist, my lifelong goal is to develop that intuitive and physiological skill…Humans evolved with plants, and they can have a profound effect on us: understanding and having reverence for their power is crucial in the practice of herbalism.”
One of the most beloved items in the Indigo Elixirs collection is the Solve All Salve. This 100% Hawai‘i-grown remedy is formulated to soothe dry, irritated skin, cuts, and scrapes. Infused with O‘ahu-grown herbs, macadamia nut and sunflower oil, and island beeswax, it is a testament to Deanna’s dedication to crafting healing products from the land.
Shop Indigo Elixirs salves and oils on our marketplace now.
Another powerhouse remedy that embodies the philosophy of food as medicine is Rooted Honey. This simple yet potent infusion combines honey, turmeric, and ginger to create a versatile health supplement that supports digestion, boosts immunity, and reduces inflammation.
Rooted Honey Recipe
Ingredients:
- Raw local honey
- Fresh or dried turmeric (‘Ōlena)
- Fresh or dried ginger (Awapuhi)
Instructions:
- If using fresh turmeric and ginger, rinse and pat dry. Peel if desired and finely chop.
- Fill a clean jar about 3/4 full with chopped fresh herbs or 1/2 full with powdered herbs. A 1:1 ratio of turmeric to ginger works well.
- Pour honey into the jar, filling it completely with minimal air space.
- Label with the ingredients and date. The mixture can be used immediately, but flavors will deepen over time.
- Store in the refrigerator and use within three months as long as it still smells good. Always dip into the jar with a clean spoon, and avoid introducing water.
Ways to Enjoy Rooted Honey:
- Stir into oatmeal, yogurt, or tea.
- Mix with olive oil and vinegar for a vibrant salad dressing.
- Add to soy sauce for a healthy teriyaki glaze.
- Spoon into hot water at the first signs of a cold.
- Apply topically to minor burns and cuts for natural healing.
- Use as a face mask for a nourishing skincare treatment.
Read more about Rooted Honey at the Indigo Elixirs blog here
Indigo Elixirs products are available through Farm Link Hawai‘i. Support local artisans and farmers while nourishing your body with nature's gifts. Use code indigoelixirs for a discount on your first order.
From the fragrant breezes of Mānoa to the rich, healing properties of Hawai‘i-grown botanicals, Deanna Rose's Indigo Elixirs is a true reflection of the land and the people who care for it. Her work is a reminder that wellness is deeply intertwined with nature, and by honoring the plants around us, we nurture ourselves in return.