Herbs of the Prairie:
Native Herbs & Holistic Skincare
At Meadowlark Made, we honor the wisdom of the prairie and the gifts God has grown naturally around us. Our skincare blends native Iowa and Midwest herbs with pasture-raised tallow and clean oils to create products that protect, soothe, and restore.
We asked a question: What if the most powerful skincare ingredients were already growing beneath our feet?
The Power of Native Prairie Herbs.
The tallgrass prairie is full of resilient plants — roots that reach deep, leaves that endure the seasons, and blossoms that return year after year. Those same traits make them incredible allies for the skin.
These are just some of the herbs we use in our salves and facial balms, but each blend is thoughtfully crafted to balance multiple benefits. We combine pasture-raised tallow, organic oils, local beeswax, and herbs to create natural, holistic skincare.
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![Native growing elderflower for brightening and anti-aging herbal infusions]()
ELDERFLOWER
A gentle brightener with natural anti-inflammatory properties. Tones while calming skin.
Native Status: Sambucus canadensis (elderberry) is native to North America, including Iowa.
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![Flourishing calendula flowers historically used for rashes, cuts, and sensitive skin.]()
CALENDULA
Anti-inflammatory, soothing, historically used for rashes, cuts, and sensitive skin. Supports the skin’s natural repair process and eases visible irritation.
Native Status: While Calendula officinalis is not native to North America, it has been widely naturalized and is commonly used in herbal skincare.
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![Strawberry leaf rich in antioxidants native growing to Iowa]()
WILD VIOLET & STRAWBERRY LEAF
Rich in antioxidants and hydration, excellent for softening, toning, nourishing, and brightening skin.
Native Status: Both Viola sororia (wild violet) and Fragaria vesca (wild strawberry) are native to Iowa.
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![Antioxidant-rich Goldenrod native to the Midwest]()
GOLDENROD
Calms inflammation, supports circulation, and aids in the skin’s natural recovery process. Gentle brightening properties and packed with antioxidants.
Native Status: Solidago species are native to North America, including Iowa.
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![Cooling and comforting chickweed plant]()
CHICKWEED
Gentle and regenerative, perfect for calming dry or irritated skin. Cooling and comforting, traditionally used for dryness or redness.
Native Status: Stellaria media (Chickweed) is native to Europe and Asia but has naturalized in North America, including the Midwest.
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![Native Iowa growing yarrow used for bites and wounds]()
PLANTAIN & YARROW
Historically used for wound care and soothing bites or burns.
Native Status: Plantago major (plantain) is native to Europe but has naturalized in North America. Achillea millefolium (yarrow) is native to North America, including Iowa.
Why Local Herbs Matter
There’s a misconception that powerful ingredients must come from faraway places, exotic plants or imported extracts. In truth, many prairie herbs offer the same properties as trendy botanicals like aloe, turmeric, or green tea.
By using what’s already growing around us, we not only reduce our footprint but also stay connected to our place — the Midwest soil that sustains both us and the plants themselves.
For example:
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Elderflower provides antioxidants similar to hibiscus or rosehips.
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Plantain leaf works much like aloe vera to soothe and restore the skin’s surface.
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Goldenrod has natural anti-inflammatory compounds comparable to chamomile.
From Field to Jar: Our Process
We practice responsible wild foraging, taking only what’s abundant and leaving the rest to regenerate. Some herbs we grow ourselves or source from trusted organic growers who share our values of stewardship and sustainability.
Once harvested, herbs are dried naturally and slow-infused for weeks into oils or pasture-raised tallow. This method preserves the plants’ full range of nutrients and delivers them in their purest, most bioavailable form — so your skin receives everything nature intended.
Holistic Knowledge & Herbal Wisdom
Backed by holistic esthetician experience, herbalism, and ancestral wisdom, we select herbs for both their tradition and their well-documented benefits. Many contain the same antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and nutritive compounds that modern skincare attempts to mimic synthetically — but in a form your skin recognizes and welcomes.
Our approach blends science, tradition, and faith: honoring what’s been proven by both generations of use and the natural design God built into creation.
BLENDING FOR BALANCE
Each Meadowlark Made balm or butter includes a thoughtful combination of herbs. Some soothe and calm, others protect and strengthen — working together to bring skin back to balance.
It’s the same philosophy used in traditional herbalism: the idea that plants in community are stronger and more effective than any one ingredient alone.
FAITH & PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP
The prairie grows what your skin needs. By returning to the plants that have always flourished here, we reconnect with creation, slow down, and trust that God’s provision is enough.
Every product we craft reflects that belief — rooted in gratitude, simplicity, and reverence. We’re not inventing something new; we’re remembering something true.
LEARN MORE
Read our Herbal Salve Guide or Prairie Esthetician’s Guide to Facial Balms to explore individual herb profiles and discover how we combine prairie botanicals for balanced, whole-body skincare.
Bring the Prairie Home
Infused with native herbs and slow-crafted on our family farm, our balms and salves provide gentle, nourishing care your skin deserves. Experience prairie wisdom in every jar - ethically sourced, thoughtfully blended, and ready to support your daily routine.