Medical Herbalist Stephanie Caley runs Caley’s Apothecary in Wymondham, with her husband, Javi. Here she explains why they made the move from London to South Norfolk – and how herbal medicine worked for her own ailments
Caley’s Apothecary is all about natural health and eco-living. We supply a wide range of organic dried herbs (culinary, teas, and medicinal), and have other botanicals such as over 150 tinctures, and a range of essential oils. Over time this grew, and we stock specialist books, incenses and smudge sticks, crystals and lamps, cloth nappies, natural skin and haircare, as well as supplements. We also have a zero-waste refill station for home, body and hair care – and now have therapy rooms that can be hired.
When did you first have the idea for Caley’s Apothecary and what is the thinking behind it?
I was first a medical herbalist, and due to this, I would often have people calling to source a herb or oil etc. Everything I did was under consultation and made for the individual, and I wasn’t set up for retail, so I’d always divert people to other businesses that might have what they were looking for. I ended up thinking “maybe I should look into this, as people call, asking for these herbs etc I have anyway”, and I started working out how to put all in place to help people access what they were looking for.
You’re a medical herbalist by profession?
Yes! I studied a BSc in Health Science: Herbal Medicine at the University of Westminster. I’d initially been interested in studying Pharmacy at uni, and had been working at a pharmacy, whilst studying. I’d always had a massive interest in natural health, and whilst I was working at the pharmacy, and handed in my own script for inhalers at the time, the pharmacist had mentioned the side effects the steroids may have, over time. Having that interest in natural health, I thought “I’ve got nothing to lose; I’m going to see a herbalist and see what they can do for me”. The herbal preparations worked so well, I was eventually able to come off inhalers, and then also worked wonders for my allergies, in place of tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops. I then decided to follow the path of herbal medicine!
Tell us about the book…
I co-authored a book in 2017 called 500 Treatments for 100 Ailments, which we have in stock at Caley’s Apothecary. It was so interesting to work on. The other co-authors were a homeopath, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, doctor and a naturopath, and we all wrote how we’d work with a particular ailment from our own perspective, with the background of the therapies we practice.
Where were you based originally and what led you to relocate to Norfolk? How are you finding the change of pace?
I was originally based in Clapham, south London. I love London but had wanted to move out of London for years (longer than I had remembered, as when we were moving here, my cousin said, “you even used to say you wanted to move out of London, back when we were in secondary school!”). I love the coast and countryside and do love the slower pace. It’s great to dip into London for short spurts, but it’s always so good to get back to my new home of Norfolk.
Where in Wymondham can you be found and what sort of products can people buy in your shop? There’s also a refill station and therapy rooms?
We can be found at 4 Acorn Court, Wymondham, NR18 9AL. All from organic herbs and teas to cloth nappies and refill products can be bought! We have incense, lamps, supplements, books, eco sponges/cleaning products, infusion cups, gift sets, natural skincare, massage oils, bottles and jars. The list goes on – and grows! We do have a refill station, and spare jars in case someone has forgotten theirs! We also have two therapy rooms, with a third on the way, which can be hired ad-hoc, or longer term.
Are you finding that the business community of Wymondham has welcomed you with open arms?
Yes! It’s taken a little time to get to know everyone, but everyone we meet is so lovely and friendly! A very supportive network!
How important is it to you to have a health/eco-living businesses in the current climate?
Health is so incredibly important, and sometimes we pay little attention to it, until something goes wrong. The same can be said for the health of the planet, and how we look after it. It, in turn, looks after us, so it is of massive importance. It can be harder at times to find products that cater for natural health; especially raw materials, such as organic dried herbs or tinctures, or products that are accessible that help us to live an eco-friendlier lifestyle. We hope to be able to make that a little easier!
What are your hopes and dreams for the rest of the year?
To be able to meet many more locals, and to become more established amongst the local community, and that we have a little hub at Caley’s Apothecary of natural health and wellbeing practitioners.
Caley’s Apothecary, 4 Acorn Court, Wymondham, NR18 9AL. Visit caleysapothecary.co.uk.
Featured images – supplied
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