'We have quite a botanical wonder here': Wisconsin herbalist shares gardening lessons in new book

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. (CBS 58) -- After Jane Hawley Stevens’ infant son started teething in 1987, she tried every remedy possible. Nothing would get her baby to stop crying.

“I took him to the doctor, but the antibiotics weren’t doing it,” Hawley Stevens said.

Luckily, the young mother had a degree in Horticulture from UW-Madison.

“I still remember, I was so naive and curious and wondered if a plant could do anything.”

When she turned to her books about plants, she found a remedy: mullein flowers and olive oil.

“He quit crying instantly and I couldn’t believe it,” Hawley Stevens said, “It was so complete and so quick that I thought I just opened a whole new career for myself by understanding these plants that have been traditionally used to support health throughout the ages, I really wanted to learn about that.”

In 1987 she began Four Elements Organic Herbals, continuing to grow herbs used for wellbeing. Grown and harvested on her 130-acre farm in the Baraboo Bluff of Wisconsin, products are handmade by dedicated local women and sold throughout the country.

Hawley Stevens urges people that she is not a medical professional. However, there are scientific studies that share the medicinal power of some plants that can be found in any common garden.

“I think it’s really important that people learn to value these plants,” Hawley Stevens said.

She has a team of employees, like Elizabeth Radke, who help her distribute products.

“We work with over 100 different plants. Some of them are native, and some of them are not,” Radke said. “Seeing them as a final packaged product is pretty satisfying.”

Three decades later, Hawley Stevens spends most of her time teaching classes related to her passion. She also recently published a book. She aims to continue to introduce people to the natural wonders of the world.

“My takeaway on all of this is how everything is so connected,” Hawley Stevens said. “The more you can notice that on your days in life, the better off everyone would be.”

Her new book, Celestial Garden is now available for purchase.