Grace Yoon is the Founder & CEO of Qi Alchemy, an herbal wellness line rooted in ancient Korean medicinal practice. Inspired by the organic herbs from South Korea, Grace has studied herbalism under the guidance of Dr. Jun (a highly respected Traditional Korean Medical doctor with over 40 years of clinical experience) and is an AADP Board Certified Health Coach and Qi gong practitioner. This Tuesday, June 16th, Grace will be leading Tea Culture: An Exploratory Workshop & Korean Tea Ceremony on our Virtual Learning Center. Sign up here!
When did you first get into herbalism? Did you always feel a connection to plants?
Both my grandmothers played an important role in my life. One was an Eastern medicine doctor and the other was a farmer, so I was introduced to plants/herbs as natural forms of medicine at an early age. I recently started studying Korean herbalism under the guidance of Dr. Jun, a Traditional Korean medicine doctor with 40+ years of clinical and herbal experience, who also created Qi Alchemy herbal pearls. I strongly believe that learning from a respected doctor or herbalist is very important in sharing herbalism with others.
Your Korean heritage has a significant role in your company, Qi Alchemy. Have you always felt connected to your Korean roots and lineage? How do you continue to stay connected to your Korean heritage?
Growing up as a Korean American model minority in Dallas, Texas was challenging because I didn’t really have a place or community to connect with my Korean roots except with my family. It was my grandmothers who were very connected to our Korean heritage that I was able to learn the language, experience Korea’s strong culture, and truly embrace my identity of being Korean and American.
When did you realize you wanted to birth a company and what is the greatest challenge you face as a business owner?
I was walking through an herbal market in South Korea a couple years ago and was reminded of the traditional herbs that my grandmother gave me when I had chronic illnesses as a child. My body was able to heal naturally from the herbs that my grandmother gave me and it made me realize the healthcare and opioid crisis that is going on in America. Many Eastern cultures use natural remedies before resorting to prescription medicine, so I wanted to share functional quality herbal blends from Korea to the West.
Finding the right balance of work and pleasure is one of the greatest challenges that I face as a business owner, because I love being around people. But prioritizing your time and energy is very important, so I’m learning to find the right balance – Qi. =)
What herbs do you suggest for someone who may be experiencing a lot of stress during this time? Any other tips to de-stress?
Simple herbs like ginger (which is in Qi Alchemy’s herbal pearl), chamomile, and lavender are great for reducing stress. Qi Alchemy’s herbal pearl is a unique blend of 22 herbal ingredients that help reduce inflammation. A lot of the time inflammation is caused by stress so it’s important to try to reduce inflammation as much as possible. Meditation and breath-work is helpful to manage stress and also your Qi, your internal energy and blood flow.
What words of wisdom do you have for someone who is looking to start their own wellness business?
Have a dream but also be pragmatic and discerning. Manifestation is real so be persistent and have a vision of how you want to help others and the world.
BONUS QUESTION: What is your sun, moon, and rising sign?
sun – libra
moon – aquarius
rising sign – sagittarius
