Meet Karin Rutishauser | Herbalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karin Rutishauser and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karin, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Germany, outside Stuttgart, in a small town called Marbach. My parents were young children during WWII, Both remembering how it was, always hungry and never having enough to eat. For my dad. it was very hard. He was one of six children, his dad was in the war and lived in the Eastern part of Germany, occupied by the Russians.. My father had to beg for food and was being shot at while collecting coal (for heat) on the incoming trains. My father escaped 1955 before the Wall was built, met my mom and married. Both stayed in Marbach for the rest of their lives.
I grew up with those wartime stories and a divided family, one part in Western Germany the other in Eastern Germany. It took 14 years, before I finally met my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in Eastern Germany. It was a different world where you stood in line for hours to get bananas only to be told “sold out “
After she retired, my grandmother finally was able to visit us. I never forget, her starting to cry, when she saw the selections of products in our supermarkets.
I don’t take anything for granted and am always grateful for what I have. A roof over my head, food on the table, family, friends and freedom. What more do you need?

What should our readers know about your business?
The Herb Crib, my business, has been and is my passion and joy since I started in 2001. The business developed slowly over time, ups and downs, doubting, hoping, questioning myself…am I doing this right? The love was always there for plants and nature. The upbringing to take pride in your work, no matter what it is and finish what you started.

Nicht der Beginn wird belohnt, sonder einzig und allein das Durchalten (Katharina von Siena)

It is not the beginning that is rewarded but only the perseverance

I added diversity, from only growing culinary herbs, to medicinal herbs, native plants and wildflowers. Making soap and lotion, then on to making to natural insect repellent, herbal teas, dried medicinal herbs, balms, shampoos, deodorants’…. always trying to add new products. I started giving workshops every month on topics like creating botanical sanctuaries, herbal medicine making, tataki-zome, encaustic art, medicinal mushrooms and even “culinary luncheons”.
I teach and pass on the knowledge I have acquired over to years through trial and error.
I have repeated some of workshops and learned through research that there is always something new I did not know. With that said I teach and learn at the same time.
I added beehives and chickens to the mix! It keeps me busy year round.
One of the highlights is and always will be me customers. I have met many wonderful people over the years and still do.
Thanks to all of you for being my loyal costumers and inspire me with new ideas.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Vogel State Park
Crane Creek Vineyards (Paris and Company, Restaurant)
John C Campbell Folk School
The Crown (Restaurant)
Lake Chatuge
Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm
Brasstown Bold (highest point in Georgia)
Trackrock Campground & Stables
UOE (unique outdoor experience ), Brasstown, N.C
Farm@180

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family, friends and customers!

Website: https://herbcrib.com

Instagram: karin.rutishauser

Facebook: https://facebook.com/herbcrib/