Herbalist shops, or herbolaris in Catalan, are small temples of wisdom full of the most incredible scent. If you have never been to one, then I highly recommend a visit.
When the time came to choose my work experience for my nutrition course, it was clear to me where I wanted to spend those hours. What’s more, I wanted a small, independent shop where I could learn more about herbal medicine away from big health shop chains. My work experience took me to the herbalist Gran Vida (@herbolarigranvida), a shop on Gran Via in Barcelona. The owner, Andrea, a strong and wise woman, also a trained doula, welcomed me with open arms and shared with me her knowledge about the world of plants, supplements and how to grow a business with patience and perseverance.
Herbalists have existed since ancient times, we can find wise men and women of this craft in millenary cultures such as the Chinese, Hindu, Greek, Egyptian… In the Middle Ages, we find herbalist shops where natural remedies based on medicinal plants are sold, and where the professionals are regarded as doctors. The herbalist trade has a patron saint in Catalunya, Sant Ponç, which is celebrated on 11th May.
Time goes by and to survive in today’s market, herbalists have expanded their commercial offer to include more elaborate phytotherapy-based products. If we go into an herbalist shop, the first thing we notice is a beautiful explosion of scent. We also find a wide collection of jars, usually containing lots of dry plants for making herbal teas and other herbal remedies. For me, it is a small oasis of calm and wellbeing amid a concrete jungle that is a city like Barcelona. Behind the counter, you will find a friendly professional, like Andrea or myself, who can recommend herbs for infusions, oils for skin rubs, supplements for moments of discomfort, all entwined with a holistic and integrative approach.
I think we should all make the effort to get to know the herbalist shop near our home. To go in, even if it is just to satisfy our sense of smell, we could buy some spice by weight or even some camomile flowers for infusion. Who knows, you may discover a different world, where time passes slowly, and life is stops for a little while, away from the overwhelming speed in which we live.
Personally, I am still learning about the individual and synergistic properties of plants. However, it’s not always about remedies. I take pleasure in little things like a cup of herbal tea that allows me some space to breathe and enjoy the flavours and scents of nature. My favourite now are chamomile and star anise, and lemon verbena, linden and sage. Though I love mixing and matching to discover new flavours.
Let’s hear about your favourite herbal teas!