- 45 N Paint St Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
- +1 740-273-6696
- teaoflifeapothecary@gmail.com
At 43 years old, I found myself in a place I never expected—physically limited, exhausted, and searching for answers.
What started as subtle symptoms quickly progressed into something much more serious. I was experiencing bilateral joint pain in my ankles, hips, shoulders, and wrists. Breathing became a daily struggle—I was using my inhaler 6–10 times a day, often feeling like I simply couldn’t take a deep breath.
On top of that, I seemed to catch every respiratory illness that came my way. My body felt weak, inflamed, and out of balance.
As a nurse, I had already begun to piece things together. When my diagnosis was confirmed, it hit hard:
Lupus.
I was told I was experiencing a rapid decline, and that I could potentially be in a wheelchair and on oxygen by the age of 50.
That moment was terrifying. But it was also… unacceptable to me.
At the time of my diagnosis, I had already spent three years working in a functional medicine office, learning something that would ultimately change my life. Given the right conditions, the body has the ability to heal.
That belief became my foundation.
While my doctor was supportive, she also strongly encouraged immediate treatment due to the severity of my symptoms. And while I understood the reasoning… Medication didn’t feel right for me. I made the decision to pursue a natural healing path—to work with my body rather than suppress its signals. I wanted to understand why my body was struggling, not just quiet what it was trying to say.
At the same time, I stayed grounded and realistic. I gave myself three months—a fair and responsible window to explore alternative approaches. I had determined if I saw no improvement, I would begin the recommended treatment.
What followed was not a straight path.
It was trial. Error. Learning. Adjusting. Trying again.
There were moments of doubt, moments of progress, and moments where I felt completely lost. And yet, step by step… I kept going.
Looking back, the best way I can describe that journey is this:
It felt like walking through a dark forest—unsure of where I was going, but leaving behind small clues, small insights…
a trail.
That’s why I wrote my book:
Much like Hansel and Gretel, I felt like I was following my own trail through the darkness of illness—one breadcrumb at a time—until I found my way back to light, clarity, and healing.
This journey changed everything for me—not just my health, but my purpose. It’s why Tea of Life Apothecary exists.
It’s why I’m so passionate about helping others understand their bodies. And it’s why I believe deeply that healing is possible when we begin to listen, support, and respond to what our bodies are asking for.
You don’t have to walk this path alone.
Whether you’re just beginning to question your health… or you’ve been searching for answers for years…
I’m here to walk beside you.
This journey, raw, emotional, spiritual, and empowering, led me to open Tea of Life Apothecary. It’s more than a place. It’s a space to explore healing in layers, just as I did.
I consulted the physician I worked for and also began working with our in-house dietitian and completely altered my diet. Within 3 weeks, my pain was 50% better. In 3 months my pain was 80% better. I maintained myself at 80% improvement for quite some time, but deep in my soul I knew there was MORE….
I found the MORE in addressing suppressed emotions and traumas through meditation, shadow work, using food as medicine, herbal teas, supplements and ESSENTIAL OILS. These gems facilitate healing and restoration at the spiritual and emotional level.
Needless to say, I never started any medications that had been recommended….only a journey.
A journey that has allowed me to begin the healing process. And allowed for something that was unexpected to me…… I began to FIND ME.
My journey has been exciting, scary, empowering, happy, sad, frustrating and intriguing along with 1000 other emotions along the way. It has been an adventure in which I have grown and evolved through trial and error. I have come to understand that I am “highly sensitive” and what all that entails. How that can impact (positively AND negatively) the healing process. I also know that there is no ONE METHOD that heals you completely. We are LAYERED BEINGS and therefore it goes without saying we heal “in layers.”
Healing is a PROCESS. Not an END GOAL to reach.
I opened Tea Of Life Apothecary with the goal of providing a compilation of the methods, information and modalities I have found helpful along my journey. Many people are overwhelmed when they have a chronic illness and dont know how important it is to be their OWN ADVOCATE, especially when they “feel something” is just not right.
I hope to offer support, an insight and inspiration as you embark on your OWN JOURNEY.
I am truly the happiest when I am able to help others. I want everyone to have the same opportunities to improve their health as I have found. I can’t wait to assist you with your wellness journey!
Authentic client stories highlighting real healing, emotional breakthroughs, and holistic transformation through intuitive care, herbal therapy, and energy work at Tea of Life Apothecary.
