Hi, Friends! We're Momotaro Apotheca, and we're here to make change in the world ...one vulvovaginal wellness product at a time.
As a company that works at the intersection of sexual and mental health, we know that changing the world takes effort, intention, and daily action. It requires an openness to learning, unlearning, and a practice of reflection and self examination. It means pushing to the edges and embracing the complexity of everything so that we can better understand the nuance and evolving details of the world around us. It means using our voice and our dollars to be active in supporting and empowering the social and environmental justice movements of our time.
From the products we create to the causes we support, we aim to be healing and supportive community members and use our platform to uplift the voices and visions of marginalized communities.
What Our Products Support
We are committed to sustainability and want to make sure that we leave our planet in better shape than we inherited. When you purchase our products, you are contributing to the campaigns and organizations we care about most.
As an impact-driven company, we prioritize sourcing the highest quality materials, from our 100% organic ingredients to our FSC certified paper packaging. Our supplier partners are Oregon Tilth Certified and as members of Leaping Bunny , we promise to never test on animals. These 3rd party certifications ensure that the claims we make are backed by a trusted source.
We take sourcing seriously, tracing raw ingredients to their origins and ensuring that their cultivation and production are sustainable for the environment and for your skin. Every ingredient we use is responsibly sourced to preserve the health of the soil, certified organic, and minimally processed to retain as many nutrients, flavonoids, and essential fatty acids found in nature to nurture your body, naturally.
We never use sulfates, parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrance, alcohol, or other filler ingredients that may be harmful to hormone or skin health. Learn more about our commitment to sustainability and sourcing non-toxic ingredients.
We are also proud members of 1% For the Planet, where we pledge to donate 1% of all of our yearly profits to an environmental cause to support the health of our planet. Our paper packaging is also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Our Campaigns Through the Years
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege to support various organizations that are on the front lines in their efforts to make the world a more peaceful, equitable, and loving place. We rounded up an ever growing list of the organizations that we support — and you can, too. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out.
Support Your Local Sex Worker, 2020-2022
While few are likely to come out unscathed by the health and economic impact of the coronavirus, sex workers are particularly vulnerable because the scope of their work often falls into legal gray area, making it impossible to seek financial government relief and extremely difficult to continue making money and, ultimately, survive.
That's why we're excited to announce we launched the #SupportYour LocalSexWorker campaign in April 2020 and are donating a percentage of sales made from the merch to the Sex Workers Outreach Program (SWOP).
SWOP is a national social justice network "dedicated to the fundamental human rights of people involved in the sex trade and their communities, focusing on ending violence and stigma through education and advocacy."
Due to popular demand (thank you), we relaunched the campaign and are donating a percentage of sales to the Cupcake Girls, an organization that supports those involved in the sex industry with holistic resources, case management, and after care. In 2020, the non-profit organization had over 40,000 interactions and worked with 800 clients. Because of our generous partners and dedicated volunteer teams, we were able to offer over $1,200,000.00 in community resources and partner referrals.
Clean Is Not a Smell, 2021
#CleanIsNotASmell was a call to action to destigmatize vaginal scents and reclaim the societal shame that’s disrupted sex lives everywhere.
The vagina is entirely self-cleaning. It doesn’t require powders or perfumes to make it palatable for your partner. You don’t need special soaps or fake fragrances to mask your natural musk. Your vagina is not a dirty place. Learn more about 10 vaginal smells and what they mean about your health.
Vagina is #NotADirtyWord, 2020
Not A Dirty Word is a call to action to acknowledge vaginal wellness as an important and respected part of our sexual and reproductive health. #NotaDirtyWord challenges the fact that people often avoid or are uncomfortable talking about their sexual and reproductive health. If we are too ashamed to use the correct words to describe our anatomical parts, how are we supposed to educate on consent, health issues, and pleasure? It is time to undo the stigma and create a conversation. Vagina is not a dirty word.
NADW 2019 | National Institute for Reproductive Health
To mark this campaign, Momotaro Apotheca designed a limited release #NotaDirtyWord tee and crop top to serve as a token of empowerment to anyone wearing them. 10% of proceeds went to the National Institute for Reproductive Health, an organization that supports reproductive rights around the world.
NADW 2020 | Women's Prison Association
Wear it loud and say it proud! We brought back the #NotADirtyWord campaign with tees, socks, and mugs. A percentage of all profits made from merch sales will go directly to the Women's Prison Association. The WPA works with people at all stages of criminal justice involvement. They promote alternatives to incarceration and help people living in the community to avoid arrest or incarceration. Inside prison and jail, they are a source of support to people and a resource to them as they plan for release. After incarceration, people come to WPA for help to build the lives they want for themselves and their families in the community.
Shop the NADW Merch
SHOP SOCKS
Support Your Local Sex Worker
SHOP THE MERCH
Reverse Black Friday: Giving Back Through Conscious Consumption
Women's Earth Alliance 2022
If these past few years have taught us anything, it's that that fight for women's rights is far from over. That's why this year, we are focusing on the empowerment of women all over the world.
That's why we will be donating our Reverse Black Friday profits to the Women's Earth Alliance, a non-profit passionate about protecting our environment, ending the climate crisis, and ensuring a safe, thriving world by empowering women in leadership.
Covenant House | Supporting Homeless Youth | 2020
Throughout the pandemic and lockdowns we recognized the utmost importance of community, connection, and commitment to our chosen family — and having a safe place to call home.
That's why, in 2020, 100% of profits made over the Black Friday weekend were donated to Covenant House, a nonprofit that provides housing and support services to homeless, runaway, and trafficked young people around the world.
Planned Parenthood | Black Friday for Planned Parenthood | 2019
For our 2019 holiday campaign, we donated 100% of profits made during the Black Friday Weekend sale to Planned Parenthood to shed light on silenced conversations and stigma surrounding abortion.
Abortion Rights are Human Rights
Ultimately, we believe that the difficult choice to seek an abortion is a decision best left to the individual and their doctor. In response to some of the most restrictive abortion legislation the US has seen in decades.
We've selected two non-profits that offer funding and support to those seeking an abortion.
Glits Inc | On Human Rights | 2019
In 2019, we donated 100% of our profits made from November 4 to November 7 to Glits Inc, aka Gays & Lesbians Living In A Transgender Society, a non-profit dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community on a global scale.
Yellow Hammer Fund | Our Body, Our Choice | 2018
In 2018, we donated 100% of our profits made between June 26 and June 28 to The Yellow Hammer Fund, which offers funding for anyone seeking care at one of Alabama's three abortion clinics.
Resources for Our Community
Heal Better: How Activism & Allyship Help Heal Society by Kénta Xiadani Ch'umil (they/them)
Race, Gender, and American Gynecology by Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF)
Trans Women of Color Collective (TWCC)
Trans Equality Action Centers a comprehensive list of funds to donate to and bills under consideration where you can submit letters to state legislators or sign a petition
The Importance of Found Families for LGBTQ Youth by Pallas Gutierrez for GLAAD
7 Cups will connect you with caring listeners if you’re struggling and feel alone
Related Reading
Tips for Allies: How to be a Better Advocate for the LGBTQ Community
Pride's Proud Roots in the Stonewall Riots of 1969
Advocating for My Manhood at the Gynecologist
5 Ways to Practice Self Care for Free
How to Support Your Local Sex Worker
Momotaro Apotheca and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on Momotaro Apotheca is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition