LIFT UP LOCAL 022
Written by Pamela Patton
📷 courtesy of Amber Rose Photography
Natural Health from the Sea
2020 was the best year of Deardra Westfall’s life.
That’s not something you hear often, but the pandemic ushered in changes that led to her passion for sea moss and the formation of her company, Nature’s 92.
Just what is sea moss? Deadra explains, “Sea moss is a marine vegetable. It grows on the submerged rocks in warm water oceans. As it grows, it pulls the minerals out of the rocks, so we absorb them when we consume them. Sea moss contains high levels of trace minerals, making it one of the best sources available from any plant. These minerals are essential for detoxifying the body, providing energy, and regulating digestion.”
📷 courtesy of Amber Rose Photography
Deardra was always passionate about sea moss, but as mentioned, 2020 brought about many changes.
“I follow the teachings of Dr. Sebi, and he was a big believer that all diseases in the body are caused by mucus, even serious ones like cancer, fibroids, and asthma. The food we eat and our lifestyles contribute to the buildup of mucus, which is why it’s essential to remove it. Sea moss kickstarts the lymphatic system, which is the garbage dump of your body. If you remove the mucus, you remove the disease essentially.
Plus, when applied to our skin, it provides our largest organ with the minerals it needs. Sea moss can help with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. And the beauty benefits are off the charts. It can help remove dark spots, reduce wrinkles, and restore elasticity when applied to the skin. Sea moss is safe for all ages. Just remember, it’s not a cure for any disease, but it can help you feel and look and feel your best!”
“Sea moss contains high levels of trace minerals, making it one of the best sources available from any plant. These minerals are essential for detoxifying the body, providing energy, and regulating digestion.””
📷 courtesy of Amber Rose Photography
Deardra was fighting hereditary cholesterol, so she decided to give sea moss a try. At the same time, in her 40s, she left her job as a medical assistant to return to college to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. After earning her degree, she interned in the juvenile justice system, where many of the cases were heartbreaking, and she often broke down in tears. But then COVID struck, and her dreams of working with the youth halted. She had to come up with a different plan.
With her first stimulus check, she purchased dry sea moss to see if she could make the gel herself. Having read about the skincare benefits, she concocted a face mask with organic chia and flax seed. She shared her mixture with a friend who had rosacea. “It cleared her skin so well that even her husband noticed.”
📷 courtesy of Amber Rose Photography
Deardra knew she was on to something. “A high school friend who worked for LEAP (Lansing Economic Area Partnership) reached out to see if she was interested in a new cohort to help me form my business, Nature’s 92. I was then accepted into Middle Village Micro Market, a business incubator program sponsored by Downtown Lansing Inc. (Middle Village Micro Market is a yearlong program that supports six to eight unique retailers as they receive business programming and marketing support while they grow their brand, build their customer base, and test the market.) “And here I am, currently working to have my products offered in stores statewide. I am here to care for the immunities in the communities. It is truly my passion.”
The teachings of Sebi are well known in the black community, so she started selling her sea moss gel and masks at local and statewide pop-up events, where they were well received. However, she was soon required to license her business through M-ARD (Michigan Agricultural & Rural Development). “It took me six months, but I received my license, making me the first licensed to sell sea moss in the state.”
If you’re wondering what sea moss tastes like, you’re not alone. “Many people didn’t want to eat the gel because they might not like the taste or the texture. But many pop-up events were held outdoors in the summer, where people are hot and thirsty. I started putting the daily dose of sea moss gel into frozen fruit smoothies. And they sold like hotcakes.”
📷 courtesy of Amber Rose Photography
Deardra’s frozen smoothies in three flavors caught the attention of Capital City Markets, and soon, she was stocking her products in the freezer section. Boosted with two tablespoons of her sea moss gel, the frozen drinks are packaged in a pouch and sold with a straw. “Kind of like an adult Capri Sun.”
Deardra says that those who take sea moss will see results in as little as three days. “After drinking, you’ll get a runny nose as your body expels excess mucus and toxins. And you will also notice that your skin is clearer and healthier-looking.”
📷 courtesy of Amber Rose Photography
She has big plans for her company, Nature’s 92. She also sells gel, masks, and raw sea moss on her website.
Her other goal is to start a non-profit where she can help the underserved navigate the healthcare system and care for themselves holistically. “Sea moss is so beneficial, and it can even be purchased using EBT, but it can be pricy. I tend to look in other people’s grocery carts when shopping, and some of the things I see are appalling. They have no idea how their choices are affecting their health.”
Deardra hopes that eventually, sea moss will become a regular part of everyone’s diet—starting with one smoothie at a time.