This week, we journey to a landscape nestled in the south of Mexico to sit down with Mafer Bretón—an artist, herbalist, and founder of Relato Nativo, a slow beauty apothecary nestled in the mountains of Oaxaca. Living in the Sierra Sur, Mafer works in close relationship with the land, growing, foraging, and transforming native plants into oils, incenses, and botanical remedies that honor the rhythms of the forest. Rooted in tradition, intuition, and deep observation, Mafer's work invites us to see plants not simply as ingredients, but as teachers. Together, we explore the landscapes that shape her practice, the rituals that ground her daily life, and what it means to cultivate a more reciprocal relationship with the natural world. In this episode, we explore: • Mafer's journey into herbalism, plant medicine, and life in the mountains of Oaxaca• The Sierra Sur and how its landscapes shape her relationship with the earth• Seeing plants as living teachers rather than resources to consume• The balance between ancestral knowledge, intuition, and personal experience when foraging and harvesting• The origins of Relato Nativo and the philosophy of slow beauty• From forest to apothecary: Mafer's process of transforming native plants into botanical remedies• Everyday rituals that reconnect us to the body through scent, skincare, and presence• Hand-poked tattoos, symbolism, and the body as a landscape of memory and meaning• Working with plant medicine responsibly in an increasingly commercialized world• Building community through projects like Micelio and creating spaces where nature, creativity, and human connection can flourish Mafer reminds us that healing doesn't always arrive through dramatic transformation. More often, it begins by paying attention—to the plants around us, the rhythms of the seasons, and the quiet wisdom that has always existed within the natural world. This is not just a conversation about herbalism or ritual. It's an invitation to slow down, return to the earth, and remember that we, too, are part of nature. CONNECT WITH MAFER BRETÓN & RELATO NATIVO On Instagram: @circulodepinos Relato Nativo: @relatonativo Photo courtesy of Mafer Bretón. THE SAPORE PODCAST The Sapore Podcast is an invitation to explore the world richly through the senses. Rooted in the Italian word sapore—meaning "to savor" and "to taste"—each episode features soulful conversations with chefs, winemakers, artists, designers, and creatives from around the world. From intimate kitchens in Florence to late-night wine bars in Paris and sacred rituals in Marrakesh, Sapore explores the rituals, memories, and places that connect us to a life well-traveled and well-lived. Follow along on Instagram: Studio Sapore: @studio.sapore Host Nisa Sedaghat: @_thesensorialist Get in touch: Email: hello@studiosapore.com Online: www.studiosapore.com The podcast is produced by Nisa Sedaghat, Studio Sapore.
