My name is Josée Duranceau, and I’m the founder of Foliée—originally created as a wellness and skincare brand. Over the past 10 months, I’ve shifted away from beauty products to focus on crafting a collection of Mind, Body, Spirit Essentials – soulful creations rooted in nature, designed to align and elevate your spirit.

I was born in Montreal and moved to Toronto as a child. I’m a retired bilingual PR veteran with over 25 years of experience as the head of my own performing arts communications company. I’m also a visual artist/artisan, musician, and an ardent advocate of natural health and holistic living.

Where My Passion Took Root

My passion for natural wellness comes from the profound impact it has had on improving both my life and my mother’s.

In 2016, following a series of falls, my sweet and bubbly elderly mother Jacqueline severely injured her back. Because of her advanced age and poor balance, her doctor wouldn’t prescribe her any pain medication (which turned out to be a blessing, quite frankly), aside from extra-strength acetaminophen. Not only was it ineffective, but its prolonged use also caused unpleasant side effects, such as nausea.

In my early twenties, I began suffering from various autoimmune conditions that no doctor could properly diagnose or treat. This forced me to make massive lifestyle changes and led me on a journey of healing through nutrition and holistic therapies. Having gained insight through my own experience, I suggested my mom try alternative treatments to relieve her pain.

A Search for Relief

We began with laser light therapy. Unfortunately, it had no effect—though we were only able to do a few sessions, as they weren’t covered by her health plan and the cost was simply too high for a senior on a limited income. So we moved on to osteopathy. The osteopath was kind and gentle, but after a couple of sessions, he suggested that my mother’s home environment—her seniors’ residence, where she felt happy, safe, and supported—might be contributing to her pain. Huh??

He also made her dredge up painful memories of childhood abuse, which triggered a panic response. I was furious. While I do believe emotional trauma can and does affect physical well-being, I don’t believe it’s the role of an osteopath to play psychotherapist—especially not with a fragile, vulnerable 83-year-old woman in pain. She was left feeling responsible for her suffering. Needless to say, we didn’t go back.

We tried massage therapy and finally acupuncture. While I’ve had great success with both myself, my mother couldn’t find adequate relief from these holistic options. Her bright spirit began to dim, and sadness and depression crept in.

The Unexpected Answer

My mom came from a family of long-lived women—her godmother passed away at 98! All I could think was: She can’t possibly live in this kind of pain for the rest of her life.

Back in 2015, Toronto Life Magazine published a feature on the city’s emerging cannabis dispensaries. For some reason, I kept the magazine and filed it away.

After months of failed treatments, I remembered the article, vaguely recalling a mention of a cannabis pain cream. I found the issue, leafed through the story, and located a dispensary that sold the cream. I called my brother to make sure he was on board, then asked my mom if she was open to trying it. “At this point,” she said, “I’m willing to try anything.”

So off I went to the dispensary.

I gave her the cream and crossed my fingers. When I called the next day, she wasn’t impressed—it wasn’t working. My heart sank. I had such high hopes (no pun intended!). I encouraged her to keep applying it and called again the following day.

Lo and behold—her voice was bright, her mood lifted. She was back.

Me: Maman, what’s going on?
Maman: La crème… c’est comme de la magie!
(The cream… it’s like magic!)

I was floored. After nine months of agony and countless therapies, this simple cream gave her real relief. I couldn’t believe it.

The Lightbulb Moment

Word spread through her seniors’ residence, and other ladies wanted to try it too. That’s when I had my lightbulb moment: What if I made my own pain relief cream to help others like my mom?

So in October 2016, I enrolled in workshops to learn how to make natural topical products—and I loved it. After the workshops, I dove deeper into research on plant-powered wellness. I explored essential oils, cannabis sativa, dried herbs, and flowers—tweaking and perfecting formulations. I was hooked. Mother Nature is ah-mazing.

As testimonials began rolling in about the effectiveness of my cream, I knew I was on to something. With a deep desire to help others feel and live better, I committed to this new path.

A Legacy of Care

Sadly, my mother passed away in January 2022, just shy of her 90th birthday. She was the sweetest, most adorable woman—and a huge source of inspiration. I admired her strength, courage, and sunny disposition despite all she’d endured. She was wise, funny, and full of love. I learned so much from her.

Losing her was devastating. But caring for her and being able to ease her pain with something I created was an immense privilege. She used my cream every day—not a miracle cure, but something that gave her comfort and improved her quality of life. And for that, I’m deeply grateful.

The Cream That Started It All

I still make the cream today, using powerful botanicals like arnica, calendula, and essential oils that work in synergy to help relieve pain and inflammation. As the product that “started it all,” it remains close to my heart. I continue to make it for those seeking gentle, natural support on their healing journey.

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Thank you so much for visiting!

With warmth,
Josée

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