About

Tobacco smoking is said to be one of the hardest addictions to break. With our smoking blends many report that quitting becomes easy. 

The organic herbal smoking blends we make are intended to satisfy the underlying reasons why people smoke. They are non-addictive so it is possible to smoke them while releasing your tobacco addiction.

Our smoking blends are also helpful for helping those who have quit tobacco not re-start. For example, you have a stressful life event and you reallly want a smoke. Instead you reach for our Gentle & Protective herbal smoking blend. You have had the smoke you craved, feel better emotionally from the herbs in the blend, and have not had any tobacco. 

If you are a non-smoker, or curious about herbs, you may wish to join our collaborative exploration of how we experience herbs. Check out our Plant Meditation Club and Community blog where we share our experiences with common herbs.

Lily Arati Michaud is the founder and Brown Bear Herbs. She is on the Board of Directors for Herbalists Without Borders. Arati has 15+ years of experience working with the community to share information about historical and modern-day experiences with Mother Nature's gifts. She holds a BA from Smith College and received a Master of Nursing and Healthcare Practice degree from the University of Iowa and practiced as an RN for 10 years in the fields of non-vascular neurology and vascular access. She engages in ongoing study of plants and currently studying Chinese medicine (Chinese herbalism) at National University of Natural Medicine, in Portland, Oregon.

In addition to the business Arati works on a variety of projects to support human rights for women and children through food, herbs, and access to education and legal support*. She has received international recognition for her community work. 

Current and previous organizations include but are not limited to: Portland's Rahab Sisters, Raices Texas, The Malala Fund, the Nature Conservancy, Portland Audubon, Los Sagrados in Baja Sur California, Planned Parenthood, & Standing Rock.

She sends big Thank You's to her teachers: Matthew Wood, Scott Kloos, Deborah Frances, ND, Susun Weed, Rosemary Gladstar, Juliette de Bairacli Levy, others.