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Using herbs to ease physical and mental pain

BERKELEY, Calif. — The Twisted Thistle Apothicaire sells everything from tarot cards to hangover cures. Herbs are collected from local vendors and Malaysian shops. Even the types of customers vary from college students to middle-aged moms.

Street view of the Twisted Thistle Apothicaire in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Miranda Aldridge)

Though the store thrives on its eclecticism, its values are concise. The Twisted Thistle cares for its clients, valuing their mental and physical health.

Ruthie Elizabeth, who’s worked at the store for a year, spent six years traveling around the world and studying plant medicine. During an herbalism internship after college, Elizabeth was certain she wanted to work closely with people and plants.

A 29-country study by The New England Journal of Medicine found that women, low-income citizens and younger Americans are less likely to trust their doctors. Still, the United States ranked lower in terms of trust in the profession among both men (21st) and people 65 years of age or older (22nd).

A big part of why Elizabeth enjoys working at the apothecary is the connections she is able to make with her customers, ones they may not be able to make with their physician. She said she cherishes the moments when customers tell her personal stories about their pain and the reasons they come seeking help.

Ruthie Elizabeth, an employee of the TTA, uses plant medicine almost daily. (Photo by Miranda Aldridge)

“Working at an apothecary is a great space to help introduce people to different plants that can be healing to them,” Elizabeth said, adding that some people say they do not feel heard in a doctor’s office.

Elizabeth not only sells the herbs in the apothecary, but she also uses many different ones in her daily life. Whether the issue is a stomach-ache or anxiety, she said there’s always an herb that will soothe her pain.

She said some of her favorites products are adaptogens, which work to help the nervous system adapt to stressful situations and improve as a whole.

“One of my favorite plants is Ashwagandha, it really helps with any floaty feeling or anxiety.” Elizabeth said, “When taken daily, it’s been really helpful to me in that my nervous system feels stronger and more supported.”

Many other herbs help ease her nausea and stomach-aches in daily life and when she goes on trips.

“Echinacea is my go-to when I’m starting to feel sick or if I’m traveling.” Elizabeth said, adding that more common products like chamomile and peppermint tea also help alleviate pain.

Elizabeth explained that over-the-counter medicines like aspirin are already derived from plants, so utilizing that plant directly has a positive effect on the body. She notices the effects plant medicine and teas have on her and her customers everyday.

“I encourage anyone with any kind of symptom that feels like it’s not healing, whether it’s physical or mental pain, to come on in and check this store out.” Elizabeth said. “It’s really empowering when you start incorporating herbs into your life.”

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Why are some vendors losing business?

BERKELEY, Calif. — The number of farmers’ markets has grown exponentially in the United States, with 8,727 markets listed on the USDA’s National Farmers Market Directory. The Downtown Berkeley Farmers’ Market prides itself on its natural, organic, locally grown food. These small farmers do not condone to the harmful practices big businesses use to mass-produce products.

Nicole Sayre sells almond-based products weekly at the farmers’ market. (Photo by Miranda Aldridge)

Nicole Sayre, a book illustrator who sells Massa Organics’ almond products every Saturday, said her company creates a natural environment in its farms, complete with sheep to graze under the different trees to limit the number of weeds rather than using chemicals for that purpose.

Buying these earth-friendly food products can have a positive impact on the environment, but some vendors with good intentions aren’t getting the business they once had.

Katy Pomelov, who sells microgreens with Lifefood Gardens, has gone from selling at 11 markets to two, one in Berkeley and the other in Oakland, California.

Katy Pomelov sells microgreens, which are different types of sprouts. (Photo by Miranda Aldridge)

Pomelov explains that the profitability of her products has dropped by about half — and she’s heard the same from other vendors in other counties.

The Lifefood Garden booths used to have two people behind them, but now there is only one because there are fewer customers.

“People shop for the experience at farmers’ markets,” Pomelov said. “It’s more of a novelty thing now.”

At any market, people generally come for fresh, high quality food paired with a lively atmosphere. Whether it’s music or happy conversation and laughter, the experience of being at a farmers’ market is what draws people in.

Lisa Jobson said, “I don’t usually buy a ton here. I come for the novelty and the freshness.”

Farmers’ markets are organized as a community, where the vendors can build relationships with their regular customers.

Though friendly atmosphere brings people in, convenience is still highly valued by most.

As markets increase across America, shoppers tend to opt for the closest one rather than their usual one, so individual vendors end up losing the business they once had, Pomelov said.

But in 2016 study, the Pew Research Center found that four in 10 Americans say that some (34%) or most (6%) of the food they eat is organic. And young adults, 18 to 49, say they are more likely to consider organic purchases for health reasons.