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During the 7 years that I interned at Flower Power Herbs & Roots, and now my first 2 months at Remedies, that is one of the more common questions I've heard. Someone will walk in, look around with their brow furrowed and ask aloud, “Does this stuff really work?” It always seems a rather strange question to ask someone working in an herb store. If I didn't think 'this stuff” really worked, I probably wouldn't have spent so much time studying herbalism and then opening my own shop. Nevertheless, I completely understand the skepticism. We live in a culture that bombards us with promises of miracles to be had from one product or another. Pop this pill and get skinny, drink this drink and have more energy, buy what I'm selling and all your dreams will come true. It's no wonder people are wary. Even Dr Oz got himself in trouble recently promising profound weight loss results from the use of one particular herb. Now I'm a fan of Dr Oz for getting the word out about alternative health, but he should have known better. There is no miracle cure for weight loss, there is no miracle cure, free of side effects, for any chronic health issue.

I can hear what you're wondering, “If herbs aren't going to solve my problems, why use them?” Well, I would ask you this: “Why eat vegetables?” “Why get exercise?” “Why reduce stress?” We do these things because we know they're good for us! Nourishing herbal infusions are another way to 'eat your vegetables'. I've often wondered if the same people go into the produce section of the their local supermarket and ask the guy stacking lettuce, “Hey, does this stuff really work?” Or go to the gym, point at the treadmill and say to the woman behind the desk, “Hey, does that thing really work?” We all know the answer. Yes, lettuce works, if you eat it. Yes, the treadmill works, if you walk on it. But the answer is not quite that simple. Vibrant good health is more than just one or two simple things. There are so many factors that contribute to our physical, emotional and mental well being. What are you eating and drinking? How much? Do you exercise? What kind? How's your sleep? Your stress level? Your relationships? Etc etc. For me, herbs are one positive way to support my body, my mind and my spirit.

So what does that mean? It means that when I'm faced with a health challenge, I don't look for the magic pill. Been there, done that. It doesn't work. Take it from the girl who went on her first diet at age 12, has tried dozens, if not hundreds, of weight loss products and diets, starved herself and spent thousands and thousands of dollars over the years. But that's another blog for another day. Instead, I look at the whole picture. I try to be as honest with myself as I can be and take responsibility for my choices, which is not always easy. That doesn't mean I judge and criticize myself. It means that once I'm willing to do it, I know I can have a profound effect on my own health.

So often people will come into the shop looking for a particular remedy – let's take Candida as a popular example. I have a few great herbs and products that can help eliminate Candida overgrowth. But the first thing I ask is, “do you eat a lot of sugar and refined carbohydrates and/or drink a lot of alcohol?” The answer is virtually always “yes” (that and the overuse of antibiotics, but that is for another day). So I ask them if they are willing to cut out the sugar and carbs and booze for a couple of months. I am often met with a sort of blank look at first and then something like horror at the realization of having to give up what they so love and desire. And Candida overgrowth makes you crave sugar, so that doesn't help! If the customer decides they can't do it, then I tell them they will just be throwing their money away if they buy the Fungus Fighter or Candactive. Did I mention that I'm a terrible salesperson? But how can I, in good conscience, sell them something that's just putting a band aid on the situation? The truth is those products and others, would likely improve the situation, but you'd end up having to keep coming back and buying more and more just to keep it at bay and never fully heal. You would be a shopkeeper's dream, if the shopkeeper wasn't a terrible salesperson.

However, if you make the choice to do your part, the herbs will do their part. They are your allies. They will support your good health and wellness in partnership with you. Oregano, Pau D'Arco and Usnea are all anti-fungal but if you're constantly feeding the Candida more sugar there is only so much they can do. Same goes for sleep, one of the other big problems in our culture. There are herbs that can support restful sleep but if you're staring at a computer screen until the moment you go to bed, if your bedroom is not dark enough, if you drink caffeinated drinks late into the day, etc., then what good is the Passion flower or Hops?  Or if you come in with a sprained ankle and ask what you can take, the answer is first, stay off of your foot! Then the anti-inflammatory and pain relieving herbs can support you. You get the picture.

So, when you're ready to incorporate these magical plants into your life, they are here for you. How lucky are we! No pressure and no judgement. If it's not possible to stay off your foot because of life obligations, rest it as much as possible. Elevate it. Ice it. And yes, use herbs. In other words, be a partner in your own healing. Take care of yourself as much as life will allow. You deserve it. And yes, they work.