The meaning of Makaaina

In Malagasy, maka means “to take” or “take back,” and aina means “life” or “the essence of life.” Makaaina invites you to pause from the weight of life, take a breath, and renew your energy—to take back life, in every sense of the word.

OUR FOUR PILLARS

WORDS FROM OUR FOUNDER: A PERSONAL JOURNEY TO PURPOSE

Welcome! I’m Dr. Patty, a chemist at heart and the founder of Makaaina.

To understand why I created Makaaina, let me take you back to my roots.

I was raised in Madagascar, a poor nation but a beautiful island rich in fauna and flora. Madagascar is also known for its home remedies, natural healing, and medicinal plants, which have many therapeutic benefits.

I was raised by three wonderful and beautiful women—my grandmother, mother, and aunt. These women taught me so many invaluable life lessons. One of the most important lessons was the power of education.

This lesson was reinforced during our long walks to and from school, which was a commitment of nearly 2 hours per day.

Also, growing up, the power grid in Madagascar was often unreliable. So many nights, my grandmother, mother, or aunt would light a candle so I could complete my homework.

I vividly remember, until this day, sitting at the edge of the bed, with a stool in front of me, finishing my homework by candlelight. Sometimes, I even burned some strands of my hair because the stool was so small that I would lean too close to the candle.

That was a commitment to education. And thanks to them, I’m a living proof that a girl like me can rise above poverty with an education.

While walking to and from school, we would stop to buy medicinal plants sold on the street in open-air markets. These medicinal plants were brewed for their healing properties. Depending on the types of medicinal plants, you could drink the brew or inhale the steam.

Also, as Western medicines were not always available or affordable to my family, we used plants and plant extracts and oils to heal many ailments. This is what healing looked like in my family, and these moments shaped my understanding of healing, wellness, and holistic medicine.

Since moving to the US, I’ve always had a burning desire to give back to my communities, both here in the US and in Madagascar.

For my education, I chose to focus on water research because I knew what it was like not to have potable water growing up, and I also knew what it was like to boil water before drinking it. So, I studied water chemistry in graduate school, but medicinal plants and essential oils have always been part of my life.

I’ve never stopped taking medicinal plants and using essential oils from Madagascar for healing and prevention. I want these oils and plants to be universally accepted as viable, user-friendly options for improving human conditions because I believe in the medicinal power of these plants and these essential oils.

Starting Makaaina was a perfect way to leverage my background as a scientist working in top US companies, small business ventures, and academia to ensure that people have the best essential oils for their wellness and lifestyle.

I regularly give free (yes, 100% free) aromatherapy classes to my community to share my knowledge about plants and essential oils because these products have been good to me.

They have been good to my family. They helped us in times when we could not afford to buy medications.

Some of these medicinal plants and essential oils have always been my family’s trusted health allies.

Being a native of Madagascar, I’ve experienced their benefits since childhood, from alleviating minor discomforts to addressing severe health concerns. Their effectiveness is deeply rooted in my experiences, making them an integral part of my everyday life.

That’s why I invite you to explore this legacy for yourself.

Think of every bottle as a tiny, powerful health coach—always with you, ready to help you take back the essence of life.

Let’s walk this journey of wellness together—and let nature do the healing and the nurturing.