Health + Internal Wealth: Western Slope Apothecaries
Owner Chrissy Lee-Manes. Photos courtesy of Homstead.
Apothecaries were America’s original pharmacies. Today, the niche health and wellness emporium is rising in popularity once again. On the Western Slope, there are numerous brick and mortar stores stocked with tinctures, herbal teas, supplements, oils, lotions, shampoos, soaps and oodles more for natural, organic and local goodness for the body, inside and out.
HōMSTED, Glenwood Springs
970.928.3440, homsted.com
The downtown Glenwood Springs apothecary is a mecca for all things natural, even plant life. Topical offerings include essential oils, roll-ons, sprays, hydrosols, facemasks, lotions and an entire men’s line. There is a lined-wall with bulk herbs, and you can make your own tea blends. For those who reuse containers, there is a station for soap, laundry detergent, shampoo and more. A garden section is devoted to seeds, plant kits, books and tools. We love their new mushroom-growing kits! Browse the pantry section with locally-sourced goodies, including their own line of pickled vegetables, jams, spreads, etc. HōMSTED also offers seasonal classes.
Willow Creek Herbs and Teas, Grand Junction
970.241.2324, facebook.com/WillowCreekHerbsandTeas
This Grand Junction boutique is stocked with over 1,000 items; don’t get overwhelmed! Head straight to the organic tea, spice and herb section to indulge in hundreds of harvests from local farmers. There are nearly 200 herbal, black and green teas in addition to 200 organic culinary spices, many that you can sniff and experience before purchasing. The shop is adorned with dozens of local artisan’s work, including painting, craft and jewelry.
Medicine Ranch, Telluride
970.728.6084, medranch.com
Started by Joshua Geetter MSAOM and Judy Godec, Medicine Ranch combines their love of healing and natural ingredients. The breadth of product is enormous: tinctures, metabolites, organic skincare, essential oils, inhalers, body salves and oils, CBD products, bath salts, minerals and more. “We sell house made tinctures and oils formulated by him and I,” explains Godec. “We also sell my small batch skin care line, Venus and Vetiver, along with jewelry, bags and many other gift items.”
Dancing Willow. Photo by Visit Durango.
Dancing Willow Herbs, Durango
970.247.1654, dancingwillowherbs.com
Dancing Willow Herbs is one of the largest apothecaries in the Rocky Mountain region. It’s an insanely stunning display of body goodness that is all created in the Dancing Willow laboratory, located behind the retail shop. The woman-owned, herbal apothecary focuses on sustainable and organic products, with emphasis on local herbs and other indigenous plants of the Southwest. There are thousands of products: herbal tinctures and teas, aromatherapy, bath and body lines, salves, linaments, oils, a line dedicated to women’s health, mother and child and more. There are also classes throughout the year, including our favorite, the Eating Healthy Cooking Series, which is offered online. Stay up to date with their extensive blog and social media.
Rooted Apothecary, Crested Butte + Gunnison
970.765.6432, rooted-apothecary.com
Their premiere location is North Main Street in Gunnison; however, Rooted Apothecary also operates limited hours at their Elk Ave, Crested Butte location and a thriving online community with multiple education components. This is the definitive, modern-day apothecary. Products include candles, CBD, oils, foraging preservation, gut health kits, hair care, cleaning supplies, salves, remedies, skin/spa care, elixirs, herbs and much more. On trend in the mushroom boom is the apothecary’s new mushroom tinctures, such as Fung Fu Fighting. There are physical and online classes, plant camps, mini courses and an updated blog. All products are either naturally or organically-sourced and wild-crafted.
Living Lands Apothecary
970.665.9791, livinglandsapothecary.com
Owner and founder, Cheyenne Martin, created this modern-day herbal and flora home from her love of the earth. “We have moved out of our physical location and are focusing on creating more of an online presence. That leaves more room for me to stay present with my family and still create and serve my community and our planet. The world has transformed into such a mobile space (thankfully for many of us). This type of balance we can create in life is so fulfilling,” notes Martin of her Rifle-based company. She sells home essentials such as candles, toothbrushes, kitchen utensils, soaps, oils, gardening needs and classic apothecary elements, like herbal remedies and supplements, including a mushroom line, tinctures for dozens of body ailments and, of course, bulk herbs and teas. The Butter Me Up – Powder Series and Good Earth Lotion Bars will become a must in any Colorado sport’s bag.
Ouray Alchemist Pharmacy Museum
Take a guided tour back of this pharmacy, depicting the Wild West, with the oldest prescription in Colorado! There are more than 700 hand-blown pharmacy bottles, many with the original drugs inside. Tours are private and need to be booked ahead. ourayalchemist.com
Originally published in the Winter 2022 -23 issue of Spoke+Blossom.