The Founder

The story from our founder...

Donna Steinmann, the founder of Medicine Mama’s Apothecary is a published skin-health and beauty expert and has been a Natural Health and Wellness Consultant for over 20 years.

Donna and her family’s avid outdoor lifestyle led to skin damage from overexposure to the sun and elements.  She tried everything she could find, but was unable to find a single product that met her high standards. Synthetic products and the steroid treatments prescribed for eczema and sun-damaged skin simply didn’t work, or worse, caused more problems. She needed an effective, organic skincare solution for herself and her family, so she set out to create her own.

She found the answer to her skincare needs in the immortal trees. She started with her fundamental, undying respect for nature and trust in its elegant system, and crystallized that into one very simple thought: trees have the healthiest skin on the planet. Trees are the only organisms that turn every environmental challenge into a catalyst to build a stronger immune system and healthier skin (bark).

Donna fell in love with the idea of alchemizing the limitless vitality of the tree into a solution for eternally youthful skin. She set out to learn how trees grow healthier, more vital, and more resilient as they age. Her research led her to the unique relationship that trees have with bees, and she discovered how hive products, especially propolis, carry the essence of the tree’s vitality.

After four years and hundreds of experiments, Donna finally perfected the formulation, temperatures, and curing times necessary to bind the ancient forest honey and propolis together. The 28-day flavonoid compound curing phase created Melexylem: a super-concentrated substance that is far more than the sum of its parts and possesses extremely heightened probiotic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Donna blended her miracle Melexylem with organic oils and nutrient-rich hive products, and Sweet Bee Magic was born.

This miracle cream became an immediate favorite among her family and friends for its instant healing, moisturizing, and skin rejuvenating properties. Demand quickly grew by word of mouth alone, and dermatologists and doctors who witnessed the magic for their patients chronic skin issues first-hand began to recommend it widely. Suddenly Sweet Bee Magic went from being a family secret to being carried in hundreds of premium natural health stores, clinics and pharmacies nationwide.

Even with the huge success and rapid growth of her company to oversee, Donna is still doing what she loves most: making Magic in her new, state-of-the-art, certified organic apothecary in Ojai, California. To this day, you can find Donna there, paying special attention to every phase, every detail, and every batch of Sweet Bee Magic.