Wildflower Centre for Natural Healing - Norwalk, CT
Driving around aimlessly on my lunch break in Norwalk, CT I stumbled across a beautiful storefront that read Apothecary. To be honest, I had no idea what the word Apothecary meant, but when I saw plants in the window I knew I had to enter.
An apothecary is a person who prepares and sells medicine, often working with herbs and plants with the intent of curing ailments in people. Some of these medicines include tinctures, teas, syrups, salves, ointments, etc. This eventually evolved into what is now known as a pharmacy, but they differ in that apothecaries typically dealt with more natural medicine/healing and they generally did the mixing of these medicines in store.
Anna, the owner of the Apothecary Wildflower carries many things that are intentionally selected to enhance life in the simplest way. Herb and plant bundles to burn for cleansing and calming, an extensive and beautiful display of herbs that can target many specific purposes (everything from hormonal imbalances to body aches) and so much more. I walked around her store in awe. I felt at peace that this business existed. I immediately knew that it was a place that was aligned with TAS’ objective. So I presented myself and asked her a few questions that I was genuinely curious about and that I thought others could benefit from.
What was your relationship with health and wellness growing up?
I was always pretty health conscious, albeit in perhaps misinformed ways. Growing up in the 90s, mainstream health and wellness were connected to weight loss and staying slim. There was this pervasive idea that cutting calories was a way to "be healthy.” We know now all the processed "health" foods actually caused more harm than good, but I remember being very curious about health and wanting to be healthy. Around my teenage years, my mom started using herbal medicine for various health issues and I became very curious about nutrition and plant medicine. Both of my grandmothers were also open to the natural world in their own ways and I feel that their openness to holistic living was instilled in me.”
As I got older, my curiosity grew around what appropriate and true healthful foods are, and after experiencing health issues of my own, began researching and learning about herbal and nutritional medicine. My understanding of what health and wellness is has dramatically shifted over the years, but it has always been something I've been conscious about from a young age.
What got you started in this field? What was your path to be where you are today?
I developed some health issues early on while in college and after much time struggling within the conventional medical system, I followed my intuition and turned to the natural world which ultimately facilitated my healing. Before taking a semester off in college to address my health issues, I had been studying anthropology. When I was well enough to return to school, I narrowed my interest and studies to medical anthropology. I studied traditional, native systems of medicine and the cultures from where they stemmed. Many of the healing modalities I studied across all cultures included plant medicine, and I became more and more interested in the world of plants.
As part of one of my undergraduate anthropology courses, I was required to participate in an internship. I serendipitously crossed paths with the team at the Centre for Natural Healing, a local herbal apothecary back home. They graciously agreed to have me come on as an intern. I learned an incredible amount in a short amount of time and felt that a whole new world had been opened to me. I was humbled when I was asked to return after I graduated and I ended up managing the apothecary for 12 years before taking over the apothecary 5 years ago. Throughout the years I was able to find out that I have underlying autoimmune conditions and was able to address my issues with more targeted herbal and nutritional medicine. I continued my studies and became a holistic health counselor through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. I am so grateful to be on this path where I can give back to those also struggling with their health and/or looking to maintain overall wellness. It is an honor and a responsibility I take very seriously.
What is your philosophy behind health and wellness?
My philosophy to health, healing, and general wellness encompasses the body, mind, and spirit. I look at each individual as part of a whole and I generally weave together the wisdom and contributions of herbalism, nutrition, energy/spirit medicine, and beyond. I am continually learning and will forever be a student. My mission at the apothecary is to inspire a personal and meaningful relationship with wellness, self-care, and holistic medicine. I want to empower and energize people to take an active role in their health and wellbeing, and shine a light on the interconnectedness between our individual health and the health of our environment. When we are at our best we can live a more balanced life, give fully of ourselves, and contribute to and strengthen our communities. It’s a beautiful ripple effect I truly believe in. It is my highest privilege to support and facilitate self-care and wellbeing in all ways possible so that we may better the world one person at a time.
What is your relationship with food? Do you believe in food as medicine?
Oh yes, food is absolutely medicine. Food has a profound effect on our wellness. It is one of the most important ways we nourish ourselves. There is an inextricable link between food and plant medicine. There are so many wonderful ways we can incorporate plants and herbs into our diet. Food not only provides us with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other phytonutrients, we also take in the energy of the food we are eating. So food sourcing is an important factor in wellness, and also circles back to the idea that we are interconnected on the deepest level.
Do you work with local places? Suppliers?
I mindfully curate our lineup of wellness products + remedies from brands that share my commitment to upholding the highest industry standards including quality control, sustainable harvesting, organic practices, environmental stewardship, and responsible + ethical sourcing. One of our favorite companies is Anima Mundi, who are based in Brooklyn. There are other tri-state and New England based companies we support and we are always on the lookout for more makers to bring on.
How does your store differ from a typical pharmacy?
We have been serving and collaborating with a broad network of holistic practitioners and their clients for over twenty years. We work with everyone from clinical and folk herbalists, naturopathic physicians, and nutritionists to acupuncturists, integrative medical doctors, and chiropractors. Instead of dispensing prescription drugs like at a pharmacy, we provide supplements, custom herbal formulas, and tea blends as part of each person’s healing journey. We pride ourselves on facilitating a true holistic approach to a wide variety of health issues.
What impact has COVID had on your business?
Our business has been an important resource for people during COVID. When the pandemic first started, I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of need. It was important for me to reassure people as best I could and share as much information as I could, as we all learned more and more about the new virus. I am fortunate that we have an established customer base that we were able to continue to serve through shipping and curbside pick up options. I hope as we move forward people continue to see the value and importance of foundational health and wellness.
How do people get connected with Wildflower? Is it mostly word of mouth?
We have gotten to know many practitioners in the 20+ years of our existence, and they refer their clients to us to fill their protocols of supplements, teas, and/or tinctures. We also have an online presence and I help people who come into the apothecary looking for guidance on general health issues. If I feel people would benefit from a more in-depth look at their issue, I refer them to a practitioner I feel would be a good fit for them. Over the years I've found that we've grown organically through word of mouth as we have become a trusted resource for many people.
Is it possible for people who are on a tight budget to afford natural supplements and healing remedies? What recommendations do you have for people who want to approach their health in this way but can't afford to?
Yes definitely. I always meet people where they are and try to find the most effective remedies within the budget that works for them. Sometimes I wish I could provide more to people, but those are the times where I really try to focus on lifestyle and dietary factors that can have a huge impact.
Anna and Wildflower Apothecary resemble a sort of relief for me, a place of comfort. Her business is true to nature and ancient knowledge. It’s a place where we can all go to seek a deeper understanding and connection with our bodies.
