Special to The Laker / Lutz News
As a certified surgical technologist, Carole Homand is well-acquainted with traditional medical practice. For 26 years, she worked as an integral member of surgical teams, advocating for the patient’s safety and comfort.
In 2012, her life changed dramatically, and she embarked on a new path. The first steps involved deep soul searching, learning about herself, and reconnecting with her roots on the family farm in north Florida.
“I took a hard look at myself, my accomplishments, and my dreams,” said Homand. “I’d come a long way from my rural upbringing, and realized I longed for that connection with the earth and nature’s healing gifts.”
She concluded she wanted to help others achieve health through herbs. She said, “I kept thinking, what did my ancestors do when someone got sick?” The answer was to turn to herbal remedies, which she says get to the root of the problem, rather than simply relieving the symptoms.
With the opening of The Herbal Kitchen in Zephyrhills, her vision became reality. The shop’s shelves overflow with organic bulk herbs, hand-blended herbal teas, essential oils and aromatherapy products, plus a line of bath and body care products, including organic baby oil and powder.
Her products are handmade in small batches right in her shop. She uses only organic fresh and dried herbs, many of which she grows herself. Others she sources from herbal specialty companies and local farms in Plant City.
“Modern medicines are derived from herbal origins,” explained Homand. “Because they’re used in their natural – rather than synthetic – form, herbal remedies have minimal side effects and are not addictive.” She offers blends to cleanse and detoxify the body, aid digestion and boost vitality.
According to Homand, the Herbal Kitchen isn’t a pharmacy or grocery store, but rather a specialty shop for health and well-being. She is offering herbal living classes and hopes to build a network of like-minded individuals who value the healing power of herbs.
The Herbal Kitchen, located at 38330 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information and upcoming event information, follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/theherbalkitchen.
