Learn About Francesca

Dear Community,

I’m Francesca Montalvo—a certified herbalist, certified nutritionist, and lifelong student of functional medicine. My journey into healing didn’t begin in a classroom; it began in the middle of my own pain.

I grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, and after graduating from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a degree in Public Relations and Advertising, I worked as the marketing director for a pain management clinic. I was young, ambitious, and learning the ins and outs of the healthcare system—yet behind the scenes, my own health was unraveling.

By 2010, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. By 2018, Hashimoto’s. Autoimmunity had taken over my life, and I was told my “new normal” would be fatigue, pills, and constant struggle. That answer didn’t sit well with me.

I turned my body into my first classroom. Every flare, every sleepless night, every doctor’s visit that left me with more questions than answers—it all became fuel. I studied nutrition, I studied herbal medicine, and I studied functional medicine like my life depended on it. Because it did.

I didn’t just read books. I tested, I failed, I tried again. I became my own case study. And slowly, I started to win.

 

That’s when I knew: this wasn’t just my fight. It was my calling.

I went on to earn certifications in nutrition through ISSA and in holistic nutrition through Alison, while continuing advanced studies in herbalism through self-study and Trinity School of Natural Health. But my education was never just academic—it was lived. I tested, practiced, and built my knowledge on both research and real human experience.

For seven years, I poured my knowledge into my first business, Beauty & Beast Cuisine, where I prepared and served over 20,000 meals a week across seven locations in the Valley. Thousands of people walked through our doors looking for weight loss, energy, and better health—and walked out transformed.

But behind the success, I was burning out. The long hours, the constant push to keep up with demand, and the stress of running a business came at a cost. While I was helping others heal, I was losing control of my own health. It was during this time that I developed Hashimoto’s—proof that even a healer can break down when self-care is sacrificed.

 

That breaking point forced me to change course.

My Approach

That’s how Francesca’s Formulas was born: a line of teas, tinctures, healing foods, and functional protocols designed to create real, measurable change. And I mean measurable.

We’ve seen clients’ lab results shift in weeks. We’ve read their testimonials about lowered inflammation markers, improved thyroid labs, stabilized blood sugar, and renewed energy—outcomes that modern U.S. medicine often overlooks because it focuses on masking symptoms instead of addressing the root cause.

But this isn’t new. Plants were healing people long before there were doctors. Herbalism is humanity’s oldest medicine—and when it’s formulated with intention, consistency, and science-backed wisdom, the results can rival anything in modern medicine.

 

I approach healing in phases. The body doesn’t change overnight, but with the right support and consistency, it adapts. I ask for at least 90 days of diligence—because that’s where real transformation happens. With steady work, the body begins to reset, recalibrate, and rebuild.

I hope to work with you soon, and celebrate your wins.