4 minute read
Beauty Q&A: Bush Medijina
Originating in a small shed with big dreams, Bush Medijina was born to support Warningakalina women, and preserve traditions and knowledge for future generations. Bush Medijina is the natural, native skincare brand you need to try this winter!
Can you tell us a bit about the origins of Bush Medijina?
The idea of starting our business grew from the need to help our own people, especially our elderly who can no longer go on Country. We were also motivated to start a business because there really isn’t much employment opportunity for women on Groote Eylandt, particularly one that brings our culture and knowledge together.
We began experimenting with soaps and balms in a small shed and started selling products locally in the community to test the market. Everyone loved the products, and they were really helping people with all sorts of skin-related issues. This was the beginning of a big dream to grow a business, to support our women and families and to preserve our traditions and knowledge for future generations.
What’s the inspiration behind Bush Medijina?
Our bush medicines have inspired our Bush Medijina product range. The range empowers our people by honouring ancient traditions and sharing this and its beauty with the world. Our traditional knowledge comes from our connection to our land, native botanicals, our ancestors, and our stories. We have been using our bush knowledge and medicines to heal ourselves for generations. We want to lift our Indigenous people and others up so that we can be stronger and healthier together.
What are the values of the Bush Medijina brand? Why is the Bush Medijina brand and work so important?
Our mission is to support Warningakalina women to be strong in culture, wellbeing, education, and respect.
We are the only women’s Aboriginal corporation and business to be owned and operated on the Groote Archipelago. Our story, our culture and our traditional knowledge is very important to us. Mainland and overseas people are becoming more interested in Indigenous culture and traditional ways of healing and we want to share our knowledge and products with them.
Bush Medijina provides a safe space for women to come and work and support each other. We love our jobs and have lots of fun making the products and working together.
What sets Bush Medijina apart from other beauty brands?
For us, we are First Nations people having a go at walking in two worlds to share our knowledge and heal people, using recipes and techniques passed down to us by our mothers, grandmothers and aunties.
The harvesting, producing and packaging is all done by hand by us here in Angurugu community. We wild-harvest local bush medicine botanicals and combine it with natural and sustainable ingredients sourced from the most reputable suppliers across Australia.
We put a lot of love and care into each product with the intention to heal people. We love what we do, and people can feel that when they use our products.
What beauty products would you recommend for our readers coming into the winter season? Where can our readers find your products?
Our Breathe Easy balm is the perfect product to get you through the cold season. Set in a pot of organic coconut oil, it’s enriched with organic eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils and our wild-harvested mamarra (small leaved paperbark) extract.
Our mini balm pack is a great way to try all of our five balms, all formulated with the intention to comfort and soothe with every use. Oh, and we can’t forget about our award-winning lip balm, soothing dry, cracked lips in the cooler months.
You can see our entire range and read more about how we give back to communities online at www.bushmedijina.com.au
