PEORIA MAGAZINE January 2023

S P O T L I G H T

HEALING WITH HERBS Americans are returning to nature for medicinal cures

BY LAURIE PILLMAN PHOTOS BY RON JOHNSON

“

I t sounds magical. The stuff of fairy tales,” says Samantha Losher, owner and operator of Urban Hippie Store. “But it's actually quite practical. Plants can clean your lungs, increase your circulation, stop your panic attacks,

treat your eczema, and put you to sleep. It just makes sense to me. It's natural, it's affordable, and it works.” The 43-year-oldBloomington resident is talking about the growing number of people rediscovering herbs asmedicine.

Certified herbalist and Pekin resident Zypher Matthews

18 JANUARY 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE