Saturday, March 26, 2005
Local store owners say literature helps reduce intimidation in their businesses.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Are you one of those people whose health is the pits, and you've finally decided to make some lifestyle changes.
Some of these changes may involve herbal supplements, natural skin care products, or special foods to solve dietary problems. So you walk into a health food store, see hundreds of bottles and vials and just don't have a clue. Well, here's a guide to help it all make sense.
Synthia Suzelis of Healthy Treasures in Newton Falls says that sometimes people feel intimidated, and think if they don't know anything about the products, they shouldn't be there. She also says people are often afraid of being pressured into buying something they don't want or need. "We let people look around, and we're there to answer questions," said Suzelis. "We also have literature people can read, such as a nice reference book with information on vitamins and foods that contain certain vitamins. They may have a specific health problem and want to know what herbs will be beneficial."
She also said that sometimes people come in with a serious illness, and think they can find a magic cure in a health food store.
"With every person, there are so many factors in a serious illness," Suzelis said. "No one in a health food store can diagnose or treat illness. But in cases of acute illness, such as colds and flu, babies with colic or who are teething, or minor infections, health food store products can be very effective."
Individual attention
Suzelis emphasizes certain features at Healthy Treasures. "We cater to individuals," she said. "Regular customers can count on having special products they need and at the best price, if we know they will be using them regularly. We also carry special health and beauty products for people with allergies."
"As a small business, we can't compete with Wal-Mart, but we take much more care in selecting the companies we work with. We research every company, for instance, that we purchase herbs from, to make sure they know how long the herbs were stored, if they were treated with fungicides or preservatives, and what country they were grown in."
Kathy Dickey, from Living Naturally in Boardman, explains the layout of their store: "The vitamins are all on one side of the store, then the herbs and Bach Flower Essences," she said. "The natural cosmetics and essential oils are up front. The oils can be inhaled, or used in massage."
Dickey says they also carry Dr. Rath products, which she believes are the only clinically tested vitamins on the market.
The other half of the store stocks food items. "We have a large selection of wheat-free, gluten-free products," Dickey said. "We get a new item in at least once a week, and there is also a basket of free samples."
Living Naturally carries a wide range of canned goods, frozen foods, chips and snacks, Newman's Own Organics, juices and seeds for sprouting. They also carry hard to find items, like "Tofurky," the turkey-like tofu vegetarians love during the holidays. They will special-order it if a customer requests it.
Crystals
Many people today are exploring the healing qualities of crystals, and Living Naturally stocks a large selection of inexpensive ones. "Different stones have different healing qualities," Dickey said. "Some people feel that a certain stone will help them through an illness. We have a chart called a 'Crystal Awareness Guide,' which lists each stone, and its physical and emotional qualities."
For instance, pyrite is said to improve circulation, aid digestion, and contribute to a positive outlook. It is used for the root, heart and solar plexus (chakras).
Healthy Heart, Healthy Pleasures in Alliance has a lending library where people can borrow books to learn about health and spiritual matters, including everything from how to use Bach Flower Essences to creating sacred space and clearing spirits from houses.
It also carries a large selection of books for purchase. In addition, the upstairs of the big Victorian house provides space for an active schedule of workshops and practitioners of various healing modalities. Store owner Dorsey Ney, is also a shaman and healer.
It stocks a large inventory of herbals and other health products, along with natural foods. One of their most popular items is "Source of Life" multi-vitamin, beneficial for sluggishness and lack of energy, their customers' most common complaint.
Anne McKeag, who helps out at Muscarella's Vitamin Center in Hermitage, Pa., enthusiastically shares knowledge and experience about their Himalayan Mineral Salt Crystals. It can be purchased as table salt, which contains over 74 trace minerals, such as manganese, copper, and selenium, whose deficiencies in our soils has contributed to health problems in people and animals. But she said she is most excited about the lamps.
"We have about 30 lit in our store," said McKeag. "Anyone can walk in and feel depressed, and after 15 minutes, will feel good. They also help clear sinuses and bronchial tubes. It is the negative ions, which counteract the positive ions we receive from computers, fluorescent lights, and digital clocks." McKeag says the lamps also help people with ADD to concentrate better.