The idea for MOHADA didn’t come to me in a boardroom or a branding session. It came barefoot, sweating, steeped in steam and stories from women who’ve known the power of plants long before wellness became a trend.
I was raised in Costa Rica, where humidity was a constant companion and nature was medicine. But after moving to drier climates like Los Angeles, my skin changed dramatically. I began using baths—already a sacred ritual for me—as a space to hydrate, repair, and reset. I wanted to incorporate deeper skin nourishment and mental clarity into a moment I was already carving out for myself.
The journey truly began in the highlands of northern Vietnam, in a village outside of Sa Pa. I met Lý, a Red Dao elder, who invited me into her home for a traditional herbal bath. The water was a deep, rust-colored infusion of native plants like cinnamon, star anise, and mugwort. As I stepped in, the heat took hold, and Lý explained how these baths were used for postpartum recovery and emotional grounding. “A bath for the soul and the skin,” she said. I believed her.
Later, in my own research and travels, I kept coming across cultures that used herbs like ashwagandha, tulsi, and rhodiola in similar ways—sometimes in baths, sometimes in oils or teas. From Ayurveda in India to the herbal traditions of Siberia, I became obsessed with how different communities used the same ingredients to restore the body and mind.
That journey—and the wisdom I encountered along the way— taught me something deeper than just plant knowledge. They taught me about care—about the ways women around the world have used the natural world to restore themselves, not as a luxury but as a necessity. MOHADA was born from this lineage, not to copy it, but to honor it.
As someone whose family has worked in medicinal cannabis for over 45 years, I’d seen firsthand how the skin—the body’s largest receiving organ—could be a powerful path for healing. If CBD could be absorbed through the skin, I thought, why not other beneficial compounds like adaptogens?
I mean, Ginseng has been shown to reduce fatigue and enhance cognitive function, Tulsi supports the nervous system and reduces stress, Ashwagandha lowers cortisol levels and promotes relaxation, and Rhodiola rosea enhances energy, helps the body adapt to physical and emotional stress, and has been studied for its anti-inflammatory properties.
So I did what any curious, slightly obsessive founder would do: I hired a renowned herbalist and formulator to create adaptogen-forward bath blends. I sourced each ingredient from trusted European suppliers who adhere to strict safety and sustainability regulations.
MOHADA was born not just to bring you a bath—but to give you a ritual with results. One that hydrates your skin, supports your nervous system, and makes you feel like someone is working on your body while you do take that much needed yet precious break.
This isn’t spa fluff; it’s about intentional care rooted in tradition and supported by science. And it all began with a woman who listened.