It’s a little something called passion.

For Lorraine Gardner, that passion started early. Ever since childhood, her mother and grandmother taught her the value in everything — how to use resources efficiently, how to find treasure in someone else’s trash.

And that’s what ultimately led her to open a small shop in downtown Washington, White Gables LLC, mostly selling all-natural herbs in bulk.

Gardner said her family didn’t have much growing up. Her mother worked to help support the family, so it was up to her to cook and clean.

“When we wanted something to eat, we made it from scratch. Everything was made from scratch,” she said. “People now have gotten so used to packaged foods, going out to eat. People got away from cooking for themselves. … The garden out back disappeared.”

Along with the concept of using what was available and making everything oneself, Gardner’s grandmother also sparked Gardner’s passion for the all-natural.

She learned how to utilize herbs for seasoning, for eating and for medicinal purposes. Along with her grandmother’s extensive knowledge, Gardner has read book after book since then, expanding her knowledge even further.

“That was back when you had a problem, you all pitched in and the work got done,” she said. “When you have that mentality, you’re more likely to go to grassroots.”

When Gardner’s mother was diagnosed with cancer in the early 2000s, she decided to forgo the chemotherapy and radiation treatment, instead opting to rely on natural herbs, exercise and positive thinking.

As it was lung and bone cancer, the doctors only gave Gardner’s mother a short time to live, but instead, she lived for almost another decade. Gardner attributes this to the all-natural treatment.

“She was a little woman, a little itty bitty woman, but she made a big impact on people,” Gardner said of her mother with a smile.

“That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing,” she said.

Fast forward to the present, and Gardner is as passionate as ever. Along with the White Gables store, she operates a micro-farm in Martin County with her husband of 10 years — a 2.5-acre farm with two houses, a barn for making brooms and weaving, a hot-house garden in the upstairs floor of one of the houses, a chicken coop and fruit trees.

Gardner uses the herbs grown in the hot house, eggs from the chicken coop and crochets mats from old shirt cloth to sell at White Gables. She also sells handmade metal art, castile soaps and essential oils, along with vintage clothing and hats.

Gardner said that most everything in her downtown Washington shop is for sale, and she welcomes people to come in to learn more about the all-natural herbs.

“I take spark plugs and turn it into bugs. I have the boat propellers and turn them into clocks. We take old pallets and old lumber and make it into something,” she said. “Whatever it is, I see something.”

So far, customers have been nice and inquisitive about her products, Gardner said, whether they are knowledgeable about natural herbs or want to learn more.

“When (people) think of their herbs, they want to get healthy — what can you give me?” Gardner said. “It takes forethought, it takes work, but it can be fun. … They need to be introduced, reintroduced, to what real food is.”

And most importantly, it’s all about spreading the word of what she does and spreading her passion to other people.

“Put a warm cup of tea in someone’s hands and you warm their heart,” she said. “And that’s what we’re doing here, we’re building relationships.”

White Gables will host an “Introduction to Herbs” class on Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. Space is limited, so call 252-940-0045 to reserve a seat. The store is located at 109 N. Market St., Washington.