Dispensary offers herbal path to health
The women behind a new herbal dispensary in Nelson want to make natural remedies more accessible for people to boost their health.
Medical herbalists Marcia Montgomery and Ange Palmer have opened The Nelson Herbal Dispensary on Tukuka St to offer herbal medicine, local products and other natural therapies to Nelsonians.
Montgomery said opening a dispensary was something the pair had long talked about and they both wanted to raise awareness of how herbal medicine could support people’s wellbeing.
As a child, Montgomery was surrounded by natural health as her father was a homeopathic doctor and she developed the same passion for the industry.
She studied naturopathy, herbal medicine and relaxation massage at Wellpark College in Auckland before moving to Nelson where she began her naturopathic career.
In the store, Montgomery said they offered people the chance to sample a herbal tincture over the counter. People could choose from one of several pre-mixed blends for immune, digestive or stress support.
‘‘Working with tinctures is a really nice way to support people gently and effectively without side effects, it works really well alongside normal medicine.’’
A tincture is a liquid extract made by soaking medicinal herbs in alcohol to extract the active ingredients. Montgomery said up to six herbs were usually combined to create a tincture for an individual, based on their symptoms.
She said a small amount could have a powerful effect and support different body systems and organs. People with a cold or flu, allergies, issues with sleep, anxiety and digestive issues could benefit from the remedies.
While most people used herbs in a capsule form, individually made herbal tinctures were a great way to support people and could be offered over the counter, she said.
The dispensary was a clinic where people could a consult with a naturopath or book in for therapeutic massage, Hakomi therapy and emotional release therapy.