I’m a Systems Administrator by day and an herbalist, gardener, naturalist, and yoga teacher the rest of the time. On the surface those worlds look different, but they aren’t. Both computers and human bodies are complex systems with patterns, feedback loops, and the ability to break or thrive depending on how we care for them. I’ve always lived in the Greater Pittsburgh area, and I’ve spent the last 17 years in the South Hills raising my three children and building a life rooted in both technology and nature.

My relationship with the natural world started in my grandmother Thelma’s garden. I can still recall the scent of her roses and the steady wisdom she brought to everything she grew. She was a nurse’s aide, a brilliant organic gardener, and a maker through and through. She showed me that tending to life — plants, people, soil, and spirit — is a form of love. Later, I learned that my grandfather on the other side was a mushroom hunter. That discovery made everything click. My curiosity, my love for foraging, and my connection to the land weren’t new—they were inherited.

I created this space to share the herbal products I use to support myself, my family, and my community. I’m constantly learning—about my lineage, about the human body and mind, and about how herbs and mushrooms can support our systems in subtle, meaningful ways. Herbal medicine is the oldest medicine on earth. Modern science is finally starting to validate what people have known for thousands of years, and I’ve experienced its impact firsthand.

Why “Level-Up & Ripple”? I grew up gaming, especially playing Super Mario Brothers until I could beat it start to finish. Leveling up in a game or in life takes resilience, support, and sometimes guidance. I believe herbs and medicinal mushrooms can help people level up in their physical health, emotional resilience, clarity, and overall wellbeing. And when one person grows, it ripples outward—to family, friends, colleagues, and the land itself. That reciprocity is the heart of my work.

Thank you for visiting the shop. I hope these herbal creations become part of your daily rhythm, support your body and mind, and offer a small piece of the natural world you can carry with you.

With gratitude,
Victoria Ream-Khersonsky

Certifications:

Kerala Academy, Holistic Ayurveda Consultant (HAC) IN PROGRESS!

Wild Cherries Herbal Studies Program Certification

YogaSix, 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT)

Aham Yoga, 30-Hour Pranayama Yoga Teacher Training (YTT)

Aham Yoga, 30-Hour Teaching Yoga to Beginners Teacher Training (YTT)

YogaSix, 30-Hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training (YTT)