In 2000, she founded Zola’s Original Herbal Remedies, a herbal apothecary where she supplies bulk herbs, proprietary blends of medicinal teas, tinctures, salves, herbal tonics and bitters, herbal syrups, and so much more.

In 2005, she opened Herbal Flavors Vegan Café, a café serving delicious, organic vegan meals. 

The Original Herbal Institute was launched in 2007 which she educates individuals on herbal medicine techniques as a practice and lifestyle. The Institute also conducts popular raw food classes, tea parties, and herbal educational workshops for women, men, and children.

Master Herbalist Zola Kojo completed her training at the School of Natural Healing in the Midwest under world-renowned herbalists. She is a member of the National Association of Certified Natural Health Professionals and holds degrees in botany, zoology, biology, chemistry, and physics.

She stands firm on her belief that the root cause of all disease is the illusion that we are separate from the universe, from nature, and from one another. The roots (beliefs) are the solid foundation.  The meaning of foundation is the structure, moral basis and groundwork of both life and existence.

Zola’s ROOTS were solidly formed and cultivated in Trinidad, West Indies, the country of her birth.   She is the fourth child for her mother and a child of the sixties.  She grew up fully embodied with nature; her mother’s life work included being a florist. She created beautiful bouquets with both dry and fresh flowers for many ceremonial events including weddings, birthdays, christenings, graduations, and funerals. As a child, for many years, she and her siblings would go with their mother and aunt to harvest many, many different flowers, buds, small tree branches, and plant materials that were in season. Her home, had many rooms used for drying the plants that was harvested. These are the materials her mother used to do her life’s work as a florist.

Talk about strong herbal roots, Zola grew up in a neighborhood where many different herbs, locally called bush, were harvested by her mother, relatives and neighbors used to make teas and herbal infusions to rid the body of worms and parasites, fevers, colds and flu, skin rashes and so many more common ailments. The house that she grew up in was always adorned with a flower garden in the front yard and a backyard with acres of land filled with an abundance of many fruit trees, such as mangoes, plums, guavas, cherries, cashews, and the sacred cocoa tree, just to mention a few. Zola lived in the “Land of Paradise”, beautiful and enchanting with a plethora of trees, flowers, fruits, herbs, many different species of birds, butterflies, bees, frogs and snakes.  The soil was rich and yielded quality roots, which is the foundation and depth on which everything rests. Little did she know this would lead to the foundation on which her life work has come to be, “the moral basis and groundwork of both life and existence”.

Connection to nature is the root of all herbal healing and the premise of her herbal work. Without a relationship with the earth, listening and learning the earth’s patterns, whims, and rhythms, there is no human context. Taking the time to immerse in nature’s sensory information through observation and matching the nature’s patterns gave Zola the insight and in-depth knowledge to fully engage with, navigate and unleash the healing wonders of nature and our planet.

“Roots” are the establishment of a solid foundation. We MUST understand the importance of establishing our lives on a sure and steady foundation. If a building is to be useful, sturdy, and permanent, it must be built on a strong base. Whenever a man erects a building, they must pay close attention to the proper preparation of the foundation. This is a fact which every good builder understands, every part of a building depends upon a solid foundation for support. 

Similarly, the same applies to the roots of a plant, which is very important for the plant because the roots provides the water and nutrients from the soil to the plant. Not only does the plant benefit from strong roots, but also the soil. When it rains, the roots hold the soil in place so it is not washed away. The root also anchors the plant body and can store reserve foods. Likewise, this is the relationship Zola, aka Mama Zola shares with her student herbalists.  She knows that before one can bear the “Fruits” the foundation must have solid roots to not only absorb the herbal/vitalistic knowledge, but also a commitment to service. 

Her students represent the continuation of her service a “grassroots movement”  implemented to affect change and restore the “roots”, which is the human relation and oneness with nature.

Having been a Master Herbalist for over three decades, it is still difficult for her to have a favorite herb.  She expresses gratitude to these beings, otherwise known as herbs. Several herbs that she has come to embrace and hold dear to her heart are:

Barberry Root is a traditional bitter tonic that helps support the liver functions and cleanse a congested system.

Dandelion Root contains bitter principles that have a tonic effect on the liver and digestive system. It is also a natural diuretic that does not rob the body of potassium.

Bloodroot’s name is derived from the color of the reddish roots which contain the phytochemicals. The red juice from the root is used externally in pastes and salves to remove warts, skin tags, and some skin cancers.

Burdock Root helps to cleanse the body from the inside out and is most useful in those conditions that can be traced back to liver disorders or a general overload of toxins in the system.

Comfrey Root is a marvelous herb and is one of the best-known healing herbs of all time. It relieves pain and inflammation caused by injuries and degeneration, especially the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Dong Quai Root means proper order and for thousands of years, the dried roots have been used to restore a healthy order to the body. Since ancient times, Dong-Quai has been an important herb for women for uterine bleeding, painful menses, and other abnormalities of the menstrual cycle. For menopausal women, it addresses symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. 

Blue Cohosh Root is one of the best herbs to bring on menstruation and is one of the traditional herbs used to induce labor in natural childbirth.

Echinacea Root is the most effective when taken at the first onset of cold, sinus, gum inflammation, or other infection symptoms. It has a numbing sensation that relieves the pain of cold sores and also offers some protection against herpes simplex viruses and acts against Candida albicans, the microorganism that causes most yeast infection.

Goldenseal Root primary value is as an infection fighter for upper respiratory congestion and sinus infections as well as a topical antibiotic in skin infections, cuts and wounds, sore throats, mouth ulcers, and eye infection.

Ginger Root is probably best known as a digestive remedy used by many to relieve nausea, especially during travel. It stokes the digestive fires, stimulating the appetite and improving digestion thus reducing bloating and gas.  It is also a great anti-inflammatory and has a long history of topical use for relieving joint pains and arthritis which can often be worse in colder weather.