“That’s not normal.” Said the uncouth woman from north of the Mason-Dixon line. As brusque as the words were, they became the catalyst for a new life for Emily Giles and her family. Several years down the road that new life became “A New Life Herbs” which opened on Cotton Festival weekend in 2019.

Emily was in the thick of raising her two daughters, one of whom was perpetually sick. It had become “normal” to them, when a kindhearted, though blunt, woman helped her to see that didn’t have to be normal. She put the beginning tools in Emily’s hands to help her daughter which sparked in Emily a desire to help others in a way she hadn’t before. Herbal medicine is better thought of as Herbal Remedies. No one is trying to compare it to modern medicine. Instead, they seek to remedy the source of the problem at hand rather than cover the symptoms. Emily has studied and researched for many years to have the wealth of knowledge she has. She’ll also be the first to say she’s always learning.

In centuries past herbal remedies were common. With the advent of penicillin many were led to believe herbal remedies were no longer effective. Though penicillin was and is a great invention; there’s no way to overlook the thousands of lives it has saved; it would be equally hard to overlook the difference herbal remedies make. A tincture (a mixture of herbs and either alcohol or glycerin steeped over a period of time) can aid in healing internal and external ailments. Nutrients like turmeric can lessen joint pain. Teas can soothe the throat or strengthen a body after birth. Salves can draw infection out or heal a burn. All the herbs used to make tinctures, teas, salves and syrups are sourced from her garden, wild harvested, or purchased from top-quality herb wholesalers. Emily is glad to answer any questions you might have. When delving into the world of herbal remedies, it can feel like you’re falling fast down a hole. There is much to learn and it’s a blessing to have a guide like her to walk alongside you. She teaches classes regularly on making items such as Fire Cider and Kombucha. She also does an herb walk the 2^nd Saturday of each month where she teaches about the value of what most of us would think are weeds. Her wealth of knowledge is a bright and welcome light.  God made the plants for a reason and Emily is using them for those reasons.

Speaking of God, Emily is set on others knowing Him too. A New Life Herbs is named as such for a couple of reasons. First, in Christ we have new life. Secondly, health through herbal remedies can give you a new life. Third, Emily is driven to give others a new life after poor choices. Though A New Life Herbs began in 2010, mostly at Farmer’s Markets, as a way to help others have their best life through the use of herbs, Emily still felt God calling her to do something more. Through a series of events that can only be explained by Divine intervention; the store was able to open in its current location in 2019. Emily’s desire was for it to be a safe place for people to come to turn their lives around. She wanted it to be a place of community. She says building a relationship with people is important. One of her biggest concerns is the lack of love people often show each other. By another definition, it’s hate. As strong of a word as that is, Emily feels loving our neighbor through community is the way we will overcome that darkness. This isn’t a task she takes lightly. Whether it is helping a new parolee find honest work, assisting a youth with community service hours or just listening to a soul who needs a moment to be loved; she is reaching out to help her community. She hosts two Bible studies each week and currently Calvary Hope Fellowship is having their weekly Bible study (Thursday @6pm) and Church service (Sunday @ 10:30am) inside A New Life Herbs.

The store is a quaint, peaceful, and earthy scented place to relax. You can get a sandwich, a cup of coffee, an herbal latte, a glass of house-made kombucha, a muffin or parfait from the shop. While you wait, you will want to check out the herbal tinctures, salves, teas and remedies that are available. There are books to read with cozy seating and wi-fi available for whatever task is at hand. A New Life Herbs is also growing in the Farm to Table space. All of their eggs, chicken and pork are raised on their farm. Their bread and deli meat are sourced locally from Backerman’s in Whiteville. They also make their coffee syrups and kombucha in-house. There is something to satisfy whatever you’re craving. A New Life Herbs is sure to nourish both the body and the soul.

To learn more about A New Life Herbs, check out the website www.anewlifeherbs.com or stop into the store. Remember to shop local and shop Fayette first!

Written By: Karri Buck