When Suzi Jolicoeur was diagnosed with stage four cancer 11 years ago, she knew it wasn’t just a coincidence that she was working for a master herbalist, clinical nutritionist and then-owner of the Centre for Natural Healing LLC. Under the care of the owner, Jolicoeur used herbal and nutritional supplements along with conventional treatments to battle her disease.
“Going through that and coming out the other side really emphasized how healthy I really could be,” she said. “[Cancer] wakes you up.”
At the time, Jolicoeur, who was previously trained in massage therapy, was an apprentice at the Centre for Natural Healing, which is located at 35 Wall Street, learning how to use herbal tinctures and teas to help people manage their health and now, as the sole owner, she continues to counsel her patrons at a very personal level.
“We are a compounding herbal apothecary and a nutrition dispensary,” she told Patch. “We have practitioners that refer their patients to us for various conditions, including high cholesterol, immune system issues, colds and flus.”
When customers walk in and describe to Jolicoeur or manager Anna Perelli the symptoms they’re experiencing, they don’t immediately suggest a particular tincture or tea. They ask the customers a series of questions that will give them insight into their diet, sleep and exercise habits, as well as any treatments their currently receiving from their physicians.
“We’re not a health food store,” Jolicoeur said. “We need to do some investigating before we make any recommendations."
Jolicoeur said that having detailed conversations with her customers allows her to reveal underlying reasons for their conditions that they might not otherwise see.
“It’s sometimes hard for people to see what they might be doing wrong in their own lives,” she said.
Once Jolicoeur has all of the information she needs and has addressed any other culprits, such as vitamin deficiency or lack of sleep, she’ll then suggest a particular tincture, tea or supplement. For example, if the customer suffers from sinus congestion, he or she might receive a tincture made with horseradish, osha and nettles.
Jolicouer added that she tries to keep her products competitively priced as a lot of patients that come to her are already dealing with expensive medical bills.
And because parking in front of the Centre for Natural Healing is limited, the store offers shipping, after-hours pick-up at The Stand Juice Co. next door and curbside pick-up.
Customers that frequent the Centre for Natural Healing also shop for pure enjoyment, Jolicoeur said. The store sells essential oils, candles, books and a wide variety of popular herbal teas.
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