Why herbalism matters in a modern world

In a world where stress, screens, and instant fixes have become our daily norm, herbalism reminds us to slow down and listen to what our bodies truly need.

This ancient practice — once seen as old-world wisdom — is making a quiet but powerful comeback, helping people rediscover balance through nature’s medicine cabinet.

Born in the middle of the pandemic, NINMA grew at a time when Filipinos began reaching for herbs to find comfort and grounding. What started as a simple coping mechanism—brewing teas, mixing tinctures, and turning to plants when the world felt uncertain—has evolved into a lifestyle rooted in mindful, natural wellness.

That journey now lives on as the country’s first online wildcrafted herbal apothecary. At its core is herbalist Teresa Canlas-Delgado, whose personal healing story shaped the brand’s philosophy. In her 20s, Teresa was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. When conventional medicine offered few lasting answers, she found a lifeline in plants—a path that led her to study Western herbalism and Ayurveda in Kerala, India.

What she brought home wasn’t just knowledge of herbs, but a philosophy that sees wellness as a relationship—between body, plant, and ritual. Together with managing founder Dana Marquez, Teresa has turned that advocacy into an accessible experience for Filipinos.

It shelves blend the wisdom of cultures and continents: Ayurvedic botanicals like shatavari and triphala, tonic herbs from traditional Chinese medicine such as schisandra and astragalus, and comforting Western staples like marshmallow root. About 30 percent of its ingredients are wildcrafted, foraged from forests and fields where they grow in their natural rhythm — ensuring purity, potency, and respect for the earth.

This modern apothecary movement echoes a global shift. In cities like New York and Paris, herbal shops are returning as sanctuaries of slow wellness, while in countries like Spain and Italy, traditional herbal practices never truly disappeared.

In Manila, the brand brings that same spirit online. From tinctures and teas to botanical salves and powders, every product is designed not just to supplement health but to nurture ritual. Among its bestsellers are the Miracle Salve for skin support, Radiant Heart tincture for emotional balance, and the Triple Rhizome Tonic, an Ayurvedic blend of turmeric, ginger, and galangal.

The timing feels right. According to Grand View Research (2023), the Philippine dietary supplements market — valued at USD 795.8 million in 2024 — is projected to grow by more than 10% annually through 2030.

For Teresa, the mission is deeply personal. “Herbalism became not just a practice but a purpose,” she shares. Dana adds, “We live in an age of overstimulation and disconnection. It’s an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with nature’s grounding force.”