Naturopath Erin Wilson supports women and families who are feeling depleted, out of balance or unsure where to turn next with their health, combining herbal medicine, nutrition and lifestyle support. Much of her work centres on supporting exhausted wāhine navigating hormonal imbalance, chronic illness, burnout and the ongoing demands of modern life. She is the author of Kōwhai & Bloom, a resource created to support parents, carers and young people through the early stages of puberty, with warmth, clarity and reassurance. Here she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind what she does, the challenges she has overcome, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
Like many people, my journey into naturopathy began because my own health was struggling. After five surgeries in six years, my body was exhausted. I knew I needed something that went deeper than simply managing symptoms. I was looking for support that addressed what was actually going on underneath.
Discovering naturopathy was a turning point. Learning how to use nature to support my body and gently help it heal changed the way I understood health. It gave me a renewed sense of trust in my body and showed me that healing did not have to feel so overwhelming. That experience stayed with me and eventually led me to study naturopathy myself.
Kōwhai and Bloom grew from both my personal health journey and my experiences as a mother. Living with endometriosis and adenomyosis, I realised how little I understood about puberty and menstrual health when I was younger. These conversations were not really had, and I accepted severe monthly symptoms for years without realising they were warning signs. I wanted something different for my daughter and for young wāhine. I kept coming back to the same question: what if we were given knowledge, reassurance and support from the beginning? How different might our relationship with our bodies be?
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I was working full time while studying, and after completing my degree, I was given the opportunity to work in an established clinic alongside an experienced naturopath I really admire. Stepping out of university and into real world practice was a big shift. Having guidance from the beginning helped build my confidence and shape how I work with clients.
Later, we moved into a home that allowed me to create a small clinic space. This meant I could begin seeing clients in the evenings and on weekends, fitting work around family life. It allowed my practice to grow slowly and intentionally.
The book itself came together quite organically. It started as small notes and lightbulb moments. At first, I thought it might become a simple handout or an online resource. But once I started writing, it flowed. It shifted and evolved, and eventually it became clear it wanted to exist as a physical book families could hold, use and return to.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Seeing the book move from a draft into a finished, tangible resource was a huge moment. It felt vulnerable putting something so personal out into the world, and there were definitely moments of second guessing.
Having a library enquire about stocking it was incredibly affirming. It reminded me that when you sense a genuine need, it often exists beyond just you. Learning to trust myself and follow through on something I believed in was one of the biggest breakthroughs of this journey.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Balance is something I still have to actively work at. I currently work full time in a different industry while building my clinic and supporting regular clients. Naturopathy has become a way of life rather than something I switch on and off. I use it every day to support myself and my whānau, which was one of the reasons I was drawn to this work in the first place.
I often have to remind myself about practising self-care and protecting my energy. Not surprisingly, this is something I regularly recommend to my clients too, who more often than not are exhausted wāhine. Being mindful of boundaries, blocking out time around my child’s activities and protecting family time helps me stay present and grounded, even when life feels busy.
