Herbal wellbeing and healing
At the market: Every Sunday on the footpath
Contact: Sandesh Heinicke
Call/text: 022 075 6371
Email: info@manasoulfood.co.nz
Website: manasoulfood.co.nz
Instagram: @manasoulfood
Sandesh's Story
Sandesh Heinicke and her husband, Anando Kirsch, are a regular part of the Grey Lynn Farmers Market community on Sunday mornings.
Your background is as a naturopath and a herbalist
Yes – Food as medicine and the natural gifts of herbs have always been a strong driver for me. I’m a registered Naturopath and Medical Herbalist, MNZAMH.
What is Mana Soulfood?
We are both from Germany and had similar lifestyles there, but we met here in New Zealand at East West Organics where I had been working for a number of years. That’s where we came up with Mana Soulfood, based on connecting plants and people for greater wellbeing. An important part of Mana Soulfood is about providing a community service and being part of the community.
Bush Beer, or Mana Tonic, is one of your most popular products
Yes - Mana Tonic is the proper, serious name. Bush Beer is the name we first gave our fermented Kumerahou tonic because it tastes similar to a beer and has a frothy head from its inherent saponins. Kumerahou is a powerful native plant that we grow ourselves - it was one of the first plants that knocked on my door when I moved to New Zealand.
What other plants knocked on your door?
Usnea knocked strongly on my door, and it is something that I include in many products because of its powerful therapeutic applications. It’s a tree lichen that I make different macerations with, such as oils, vinegars, and fluid extracts.
Tell me more about what you are giving people
Some things come in a bottle. Sometimes I’ll have things that customers have specifically requested, like sleepy tea. But not everything comes in a bottle - sometimes we share insights and offer education. It might be a passing observation or connection that helps a customer feel seen and understood – or something that might spark future insights. Many people we talk to are grateful for advice and simple recipes to improve their wellbeing.
How does the market work for you?
We love being part of the market community. Stallholders enjoy our weekly connection, supporting each other. And there are many regular customers. Being at the market is a lovely opportunity to contribute to our community.
What happens between markets?
At our Urban Sanctuary, as we call it, I have a busy clinic room where I hold consultations and treatments. The use of herbal oils with a relaxation massage gets booked a lot, as one can imagine. At the moment, I am working on restarting our workshop series, “The Plant Connection”, for Spring. And of course we need to look after our garden, brew tonic, extract tinctures, and blend products. We hold regular meditation circles and Anando as a sacred pipe carrier can hold sweat lodge ceremonies.
And Anando is famous for his craftsmanship too
Yes, he specialises in jobs that other decorators can’t or don’t want to do - particularly artistic wallpapers that make a statement. He was the decorator on The Block for years.
Do you get any spare time?
Mana Soulfood is as much a lifestyle as it is a business – we love this wholesome way of life. I spend Wednesdays with my two-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter, often dancing together. My grandmother was an important influence in my life, and I love passing that on.
As published in Ponsonby News : August 2025