The Medicine Cabinet
Whether you
By Seattle Mag December 31, 1969
Category: Beauty Articles
Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, Wallingford, Madison Park, West Seattle
What you’ll find: This compounding pharmacy (one that customizes medication) can change pills to liquids, and make medicine more palatable for kids. Pharmaca fills all kinds of prescriptions—natural or not. Store shelves are packed with vitamins, supplements, power foods, natural bath and beauty products.
Why we love it: A friendly professional staff (a naturopath is often on the floor) will help you shop, a licensed aesthetician is available to assist you with a mini-makeover, and pharmacists can turn your child’s antibiotic into a fruit-flavored lollipop.
Don’t miss: Annual store events (Healthy Heart in February, Spa Day in May, Natural Kids in August and Healthy Aging in October) are free and include perks like product samples, health screenings and complimentary makeovers.
The Herbalist, Ravenna
What you’ll find: Run by founder and medical herbalist Tierney Salter since 1984, the shelves at this shop brim with dozens of jars of fresh medicinal herbs, priced by the pound, such as chamomile flower, calendula and raspberry leaf (great for women’s uterine health and pregnancy). Popular cleansing kits include tonics, teas and laxatives to aid digestive health and help rid the body of toxins.
Why we love it: Tastes of teas (made in the shop) and tinctures (liquid herbal extracts) are free and encouraged. And all herbs sold by The Herbalist are organic or sustainably wild-crafted (gathered in a way that helps ensure that plant species are preserved and not threatened), primarily from local farmers.
Don’t miss: The refreshment bar, where you can add a tincture or supplement (such as flaxseed oil) to a delicious, made-to-order 100 percent organic fruit smoothie (we recommend the Sunshine Cherry C, $6.95).
Dandelion Botanical Company, Ballard
What you’ll find: This brightly lit shop has warm wood countertops, hardwood floors and custom cabinetry. There’s a large selection of bulk herbs and spices, with an emphasis on Chinese herbs (such as chrysanthemum) and patented formulas (made in China with 100 percent natural ingredients—and used often by acupuncturists), plus essential oils and beautiful bath products. Handmade soaps—crafted in the store—are so popular, sometimes there’s a waiting list!
Why we love it: Its boutique-like feel makes Dandelion a seamless fit on trendy Ballard Avenue, and it wins the award for prettiest products—for example, handmade bath salts seasoned with flower petals and packed in dainty glass bottles with a bow.
Don’t miss: Classes on herb-friendly topics such as “Pine Needle Basketry” and “Root Medicine.”