This interview with Melanie from Mint is part of an interview series with women who, like me, feel a special connection to nature. I will speak with different women and learn more about them and their approach to nature.

Melanie Wieser from Mint has always been a nature child

I will then pass these stories on to you here, so that you too can discover a variety of insights and approaches to nature.

Tell us a little about yourself

I'm Melanie and I'm originally a florist, and I also worked in a garden center. Nature has fascinated me since I was a child. I always loved being outdoors and in the forest when I was little, because that's where I always felt most at ease. A few years ago, I completed training as a certified European naturopath, where you learn all about plants, and I really enjoy experimenting with them. I love combining my floristic knowledge with herbs and creating things.

I come from Saalfelden in Salzburg, I was born and raised here, and I love country life. With my blog and my posts, I want to raise people's awareness of nature and their surroundings again. It's enough to start with small things to protect nature sustainably. I'm also a big fan of DIY, because it makes you realize how much effort goes into products and you appreciate them more as a result.

I still work as a florist today in a large hotel, where I design the decorations, and the other part of the time I work for myself with Mint, designing and holding workshops and herb walks, and collecting herbs to process into various things.

Where does MINT come from?

That was a longer process. I wanted a name that fit with me as a person, with my name, and also with herbs. Mint is refreshing and robust - so it was the combination of my M for Melanie and mint.

How long have you been doing this?

I really started my own business about 2.5 years ago. I want to teach people again what grows around us and what you can do with it. I find that exciting, and I want to bring it closer to people again. For me, one herb was also very decisive, and that is silverweed, which grows almost everywhere. It's also a very antispasmodic herb, whether for women's ailments or muscle cramps, it's totally effective. Since I always have severe menstrual cramps during my periods, I made a tincture from silverweed, and it helped me so much that I no longer had to take any pills.

How did you come across silverweed?

During my daily walks, it caught my eye, and then I researched it and was really thrilled by its effects. I also combine it with yarrow and lady's mantle.

Red clover and yarrow have helped me immensely with my somewhat problematic skin and significantly improved my complexion. Since my issue is hormonal, the red clover tincture with its many female hormones helped me very well.

However, it's important to first thoroughly familiarize yourself with the plant and identify it precisely, and otherwise, it's advisable to seek well-founded advice from an expert, as there are, of course, plants that can do more harm than good. Always look at the entire plant, not just the flowers, but also the leaves and the stem, and if possible, the root.

I also recommend approaching the topic of eating wild herbs slowly. Don't eat too much at once, as that can be too much for the body to start with. Wild herbs have many times more minerals and vital substances than our bodies are used to today.

What is your favorite plant?

I find it hard to pick just one favorite plant; I like them all, and it changes a bit depending on the season and what's currently growing. What I really like visually is the seed head of wild carrot; this little basket is so charming. But I also love stinging nettle because it's so healing. But I love them all, and it always depends a bit on the season.

The forest is also your topic?

The forest is a main theme for unwinding and stress reduction. Studies confirm this, and the green power of the forest has an enormous and positive effect on us. Consciously engaging with all senses has a calming and balancing effect on our bodies. It simply makes one feel better.

Do you also offer many workshops?

Yes, I give workshops and also offer seasonal product boxes. These are always limited boxes with a variety of products that I can collect myself and with herbs that are currently growing with me. However, these are always small quantities that I offer via Instagram, and once they're sold out, they're gone, and next time there will be new content. I don't have a fixed online shop yet - it will surely come - but for now, it's whatever I happen to have available that I offer.

The tourism association offers fixed herb walks every week from May to October. But I'm also happy to come to you personally, and we can collect together in a small group and create a product. With me, you can book various workshops very individually. I'm also happy to develop content according to your ideas and enjoy working with children. I find it very beautiful and important to work with children and to bring them closer to the love and mindfulness for nature again.

You can find detailed information about the workshops on my website or on Instagram. 

You can find more interviews about great women and their connection to nature here:

Karin from Naturspirit
Stephanie from Atempause
Susanne from Naturzauberwerke
Tina from die Kräutermacherei
Melanie from Mint
Anja from Gänseblümchen & Sonnenschein
Andrea from Fermentista
Andrea from Yoga Cuisine
Marlies from Quendelgrün
Christine from Textpoterie
Doris from Mit Liebe gemacht
Alex from Die Kräutermadame
Bianca from Naturespiritauraspray
Gerda from Grüne Kraft
Judith from Seelenzauber