Makanani is when your inner radiance flourish

At Makanani, we invite you to reconnect with the beauty that lives within you – a radiant energy that blossoms and expands into every aspect of your life.

As Hawaiian world Makanani is much of a single narrative, it combines Maka (eye, view) with Nani (beautiful, beginning, origin). It was given to me in Molokai and it is like an invitation to embrace our authenticity as essential first step for living our truth enriching our lives and the lives of those around us.

My purpose is to support your journey through transformative bodywork and naturopathic medicine.

Hi, I’m Vanessa, a licensed Naturopath and certified Massage Therapist. I combine my Mediterranean herbalist roots with a grounded Pacific knowledge on Hawaiian healing, a solid training on body anatomy and a Atlantic wonder for plant medicine. My work includes: natural therapies, joints manipulation, reflexology, deep tissue techniques, stretching, alignment techniques, reflexology, integrating in the offerings aromatherapy and naturopathic tools (Bach flowers, phytotherapy, energetic nutrition, essential oils) for diseases prevention. I speak Italian, English and Spanish.

I’m member of the Ahahui Lomilomi Hawai’i Association (ALH).

Education:

  • 2025 – 2018 Naturopath education at Holistic Medicine School SIMO – Milan, Italy  Specialities: Aromatherapy – Essential Oils. Thesis on ‘Natural Remedies for Moon Cycle’
  • 2023 Life Cycles, Moon Cycles – Herbalism with Fernanda Botelho and Olivia Fite, Portugal
  • 2021 – 2016 Lomilomi Master Training course with kumu Jeana Iwalani Naluai, at Ho’omana Spa Maui, Hawaii:
    • Lomilomi Hapai – massage for pregnancy (32h)
    • Hawaii Core & Skeletal Alignment (32h)
    • Extremities and Attachments (32h)
    • Kua lua Hawaiian Back Walking (24h)
  • 2021 Solstice Wildcraft Herbal Course (1 week). Distillation and Natural cosmetics, Mentor: Dr. Laura Dell’Aquila, at Botanical School and wild herbalism, Bologna, Italy
  • 2021 Ho’oponopono (online course) with Uncle Howard Pe’a Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi, Hawaii, USA
  • 2021 La’au Lapa’au (online course of Hawaiian herbalism) level 1 and 2, with Kumu Po‘okela Ikaika Dombrigues at Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi, Hilo, Hawaii, USA
  • 2020 Healing plants for women. (16h) Mentor: Laura Dell’Aquila, at Botanical School and wild herbalism , Bologna, Italy
  • 2019 Lomilomi Oncology and La’au Lapa’au at Hale Ola with Kumu Dane Kaeholani Silva, Hilo, Hawaii
  • 2018 – 2019 Lomilomi practitioner diploma (352h) – Kumu Noëlle Delaquis, Aloha Spirit, Meilen, Switzerland
  • 2018 Ancient Lomilomi – (50h) Jody Mountain, Kiental, Svizzera
  • 2017 Wild Edible Herbs workshop, Pietro Leemann, Joia Vegetarian Academy, Valle Maggia, Switzerland
  • 2014 Degree in Massage therapist for Health and Wellbeing (170h) – Swedish Method, licensed by Swiss Federation of Massage Therapists FSM, Switzerland
  • 2012 Shiatsu Course (92h) – Swiss Federation of Massage Therapists FSM, Switzerland
  • 2009 PhD in Design, Politecnico di Milano

My Journey into Bodywork and Plant Medicine

My path in healing began with my first shiatsu massage course in 2012, followed by a certification in Classical Massage in 2014. In 2016, everything shifted when I encountered Lomilomi in Maui, Hawai’i—a turning point that deepened my connection to Hawaiian culture and healing practice. Since then, I’ve returned to Hawai’i multiple times, immersing myself further in the art of lomilomi bodywork and traditional la’au lapa’au (plant medicine), amassing over 500 hours of education and hands-on training.

Throughout travels and places I’ve called home, my study of plant medicine has been a constant companion, inspiring me to investigate natural remedies for my own allergic and reactive skin. This journey led to my first formulations in 2018, using calendula and oat extractions, under the name Caleddacare—the precursor to Salvaje Artisanal Cosmetics.

With a desire to broaden my expertise, I later pursued the 5 years Naturopathy School to explore the full spectrum of natural therapies, including phytotherapy, spagyrism, and nutrition. Specializing in aromatherapy, herbal transformations (from seeds to bottle), and natural remedies for women’s health, I now bring these tools together to support well-being holistically and honor the wisdom of the plants that guidea my path.

Research

PhD in Design with experience in Switzerland and Italy, I have spent years running projects aimed at making things more sustainable, ludic and engaging. I’m still a researcher, my work is grounded in the belief that design can foster stronger more healthy connections between people and the natural environment. I support NGO and associations involved in social and rural and social development to make their projects real through fundraising, qualitative methods, education, workshops, walks and volunteering. Look my linkedin page.

Here my publications’ list.

I promote a personal agency in biodiversity and a mindful use of our precious natural resources including ethical foraging. My passion for plants has taken me on a journey through botanical gardens across Europe, Australia, India, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Madeira, and now Canary Islands. These experiences deepened my understanding of plants as not just biological entities, but as key players in the cultural and ecological relationships that shape our world.

Bridging Self-Healing through Bodywork and Herbal Medicine

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