My first encounter with herbal healing was when I was a little Frenchman, as my uncle called me, and we visited my cousins in Elton, Louisiana. I was sick with a cold and all I can remember was a log in a pot. I drank it, within a few hours, my cold healed. I am sure it was magic, but it always sparked curiosity in herbal medicines.

Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of being able to explore this curiosity with my herbalist and the owner of Nisha's Butters, Nisha Spruell Jack. Nisha is the product of ancestral healing. Her grandmother, who passed at 106 years old, was a community healer. When Nisha was young, she suffered from digestive issues that ultimately were found out to be tumors on both sides of her intestines. Her grandmother healed her with herbs and food.

Nisha's Butter's was born because of a need to create affordable hair care products for herself. We all know how expensive hair care is for black hair can be. She saw the ingredients on the bottle and had 60% of the ingredients and begin the journey to making hair care products from home. Nisha's butters have evolved to include shea butters in many scents and apothecary products.

When it comes to shea butter, we know that it helps the skin. Native to West Africa, Shea butter is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, promotes cell regeneration, relieves congestions, and so much more. It is packed with fatty acids and vitamins A, E, and F to promote circulation and skin cell growth. She started creating the butters for her husband, who suffered from eczema. Nisha's butters come in scents like Orange Ginger, Cederman, Lemon-lime, and my favorite, rose spice.

In modern times we seldom use the word apothecary because we use the word pharmacist. An apothecary consults and mixes herbs, oils, and other things to heal your body. They also tell you how long it may take to see results and foods to eat. Nisha consults with people to get them healed. One of my favorite products that she makes is her Ashwagandha tincture. I live eat and breath by this product. As someone that been vocal about my dealings with anxiety and depression for many years, Nisha's ashwagandha tincture helped me focus and feel calm. She carries elderberry tincture as well. With the state of the world today, elderberry is a herb that has been become a household name and has been adopted by big businesses. Nisha's tinctures were made in a small batch with care, no sugars, preservatives, and cured under her watch. Tinctures connect to the body on a cellular level to heal quickly

Nisha's Butters also have teas. The easiest way to introduce herbs into the system is with teas. Nisha explains that it gets to the cellular level where it begins to help you get and stay healthy. The respiratory tea includes horehound, wild cherry bark, mullein, skullcap, echinacea, and marshmallow leaf. She also has an immune tea that is best for full-body protection. Her women balance tea is also great because it helps with hot flashes and mood instability.

Despite running away from her calling for a long time, Nisha is a healer. She has assisted in healing her mother and husband who both dealt with cancer. I can even say she has assisted in my healing as well. It is empowering to be able to put your healing into your hand. So as we proceed into this new year, for many of us, health is at the top of the list. Holistic healing is a way of life that is making a necessary comeback. Food is healing. Being conscious about what we eat is important. To learn more about Nisha's Butters and herbal consulting visit nishasbutters.com. As always, SUPPORT SUPPORT SUPPORT! Start your year off on the track to better health!

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