We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamryn Hawker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamryn, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
One piece of conventional advice I often disagree with is the idea that we should just manage our symptoms and keep going—especially when it comes to women’s health. As women, and especially as mothers, we’re constantly given the message that it’s normal to feel exhausted, in pain, overwhelmed, or hormonally imbalanced—and that we should just push through it.

In reality, our symptoms are not inconveniences to suppress, they are messages from the body asking for deeper care. At Artemisia Acupuncture and Apothecary and through Green Empress Herbs, we work with those signals rather than silencing them. Whether it’s irregular cycles, burnout, anxiety, digestive distress, or postpartum depletion, our approach is to uncover the root and support true, lasting balance.

It’s easy to get used to “just carrying on,” especially when you’re juggling careers, families, or caregiving. But when women come into the clinic and finally have the space to tune in—to truly feel supported and seen—healing begins in a completely different way. That’s what we’re here for.

What should our readers know about your business?
Artemisia Acupuncture and Apothecary is a healing space rooted in the belief that the body holds deep wisdom—wisdom that when properly supported can overcome long standing chronic and acute issues. We specialize in supporting your body to do what it does best – heal! That healing should be both intuitive and evidence-informed – there’s so much we don’t know and will never know about the body, but that doesn’t mean we can’t support great change.

We specialize in women’s health, fertility, hormone balance, digestion, emotional wellness, and pelvic floor care, supporting people through every phase of life with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and balanced life style modification – no shaming or harsh plans are offered here!

Our sister brand, Green Empress Herbs, was born from that same desire to make herbal medicine accessible, effective, and grounded in tradition—while fitting into the rhythms of modern life. It drives me crazy to see how few options we really have at the drug store, all some version of a band aid or pain killer for the most part.

What sets us apart is our deep commitment to treating the whole person, inside their whole life. Patients don’t just come in and lie on a table—they are supported in context of their environment and history. Our team’s range of clinical experience, cultural backgrounds, and gentle but skilled presence makes Artemisia a place where healing feels truly personal.

I founded Artemisia in 2019, and my first child was born a year later, in 2020, peak COVID. So, in many ways, the clinic and motherhood grew up together. Like any small business, especially woman-owned and rooted in care work, the path hasn’t been easy. But it’s been full of meaning, learning, and connection. I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my family, our amazing team, and the wider acupuncture and herbal medicine community—especially the trailblazers in pelvic floor care, a specialty we’re proud to offer.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about our work, it’s this: you don’t have to push through your pain or imbalance. Healing is possible. Your symptoms are meaningful. And as someone who has personally dealt with chronic disease, more is possible than you can imagine!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Besides sitting and chatting on the couch for hours?

We’d start with a walk through the hills of Pasadena, I have a tried and trusted loop with multiple butt burners, incredible vistas and shaded streets. One morning we’d hike the Gabrieleno Trail, perhaps ending with our toes in the river and some packed lunch. No trip would be complete without a meander through one of our abundant art galleries, the Norton Simon Museum and its sculpture garden alone is worth the trip.

We’d eat well: Osawa for exceptional sushi, Tea Master Matcha Café in Little Tokyo for traditional matcha ice creams, more catching up at Capri Club for small bites and sundowners as you’d say in South Africa where I’m from. A picnic and kite flying at Lacy Park with the kids and pooches for a wholesome reprieve!

And of course, to tend to our weary bones, a lazy afternoon at Artemisia Acupuncture + Apothecary for our Acupuncture + Bodywork combo—our most restorative treatment. It’s perfect for unwinding the body, clearing the mind, and reconnecting to yourself after travel or stress.

We’d carve out a full day at San Onofre beach, and catch a Dodger game under the lights – I like to pack my own popcorn but can never say no to a Brooklyn Dodger Dog.

The best part of life here is how easily you can move between mountains, museums, and the sea—all the while eating some of the best food from around the world amongst our incredible community.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people behind the scenes who’ve helped shape Artemisia’s journey. I’m endlessly grateful to Danielle Garcia, our amazing clinic supervisor whose steady resilience and compassionate care keeps Artemisia running smoothly despite the inevitable ups and downs or running a small business. I am constantly in awe of the dedication Mia Xin Gao and Nora MacLeod bring to our practice and patients.

I’m also constantly inspired by other female small business owners—the way we share resources, cheer each other on, and rise together is something truly special. And I’m grateful to the broader acupuncture community, especially the pioneers of pelvic floor care, a field we’re proud to specialize in at Artemisia. Their mentorship and commitment to bringing more options to people with pelvic floors continues to pave the way for deeper, more empowered healing in an area of our bodies too often overlooked.

Website: https://www.artemisiawellness.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artemisia_wellness

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artemisiawellness

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/artemisia-acupuncture-and-apothecary-pasadena

Image Credits
Photos of Tamryn Hawker LAc. taken by Erin Simkin, treatment room by Natalia Gomez

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