The Alternative Wellness Epicurean:
Potions and Lotions and Herbs, Oh My!

Ok, I’ll admit it; I’m skeptical about herbs. They kind of make me nervous. They look weird and they sometimes smell weird. I’m not really sure how to buy them or how to use them. But let’s face it – before modern medicine, they solved all manner of ills, so there must be something to them.

What better way to get over the phobia than to go to Hill Botanical and find out, from the source, what the deal is? On a cold morning in late November, I stopped in to Kris Hill’s eponymous shop, located at 438 East Mendenhall Street, (between Church and Rouse, across the street from the Hawthorn School playground). Kris immediately offered me a cup of Cinnamon Hibiscus tea (yum!), which she said would be warming and support my immune system. The Hibiscus is full of antioxidants and vitamin C.

Hill Botanical is inviting, smells fabulous and is filled to the rafters with potions, salves, essential oils and plants in jars, tins and glass bottles. Shelves line the walls with books, beauty products, bath blends and gift boxes of herbal bounty. It was a little overwhelming, so it helped to have a guided tour of the store’s many offerings. It turns out this is a wonderful place to find resources on the medicinal properties of herbs and plants as well as how to utilize them.

Kris and I explored the many bottles and jars of roots, plants, stems, leaves and flowers which, when taken orally (tea, or tincture) or via aromatherapy or application to the skin can help relieve many ills. I got to smell various essential oils and learned about Hill’s unique tea blends like Frank’s Everyday tea or Winter Warmer. The tea blends are available pre-packed as tea bags or loose herbal tea. The shop also carries over 150 bulk herbs, which you can utilize for a multitude of applications. All of the herbs at Hill Botanical are sourced as organically grown or ethically wildharvested.

The store also features a comprehensive book selection that can take a reader on a tour of all things plant, with selections on natural remedies for women’s issues, history of herbal medicine, growing your own medicinal plants, even the chemistry behind the healing properties of herbs. It is an amazing resource for anyone interested in exploring the world of herbal medicine.

Hill Botanical also stocks neti pots, herbal bath potions (steep yourself instead of tea!), natural salves for aches and pains, lip balms, loofah pads, smudge sticks, calendars and cards. You can even have a personal consult with Kris (sessions start at $40 an hour) to get her advice on potions that can support health issues you may be struggling with. In short, it’s a one-stop-shop for all things relating to botanical healing.

My personal faves are the themed gift boxes (perfect for holiday giving) that combine a variety of items from the store. For example, Hill’s Room and Body Spray Sampler box includes spritzers to brighten up the scent of any body or place (I used mine in my car). The Make A Bath Blend Kit has selections of soothing bath herbs with muslin bags and oils to make your bath a scented and healing delight. The Face Value Beauty Kit has a natural clay masque mixture, along with oils, to bring back softness to the sensitive facial skin. Hill Botanical will also make customized kits to order if you want to create a themed kit for that special, hard-to-please recipient.

On a more culinary note, you can’t go wrong with Kris’ hand-made Raw Chocolate treats (I sampled C+, the one with cranberries and bilberries) that was delicious. Turns out cacao, the force behind chocolate, is rich in healing antioxidants and can boost energy and mood. I’d love a box of them for Christmas (hint, hint).

If you’re a person who prefers to shop from home, Hill’s user-friendly website is www.hillbotanical.com. You can order many of the items mentioned here from the website, and have them shipped anywhere, making it an easy way to spread the love this holiday season.

Kris’ knowledge is extensive and comprehensive; she’s been studying plants and plant medicine since 1991.  Hill has a background in anthropology, psychology, business and retail merchandising. Her herbal studies include studying with Robyn Klein in Bozeman through Montana State University, Dennis McKenna PhD (Ethnopharmacology) and Kathleen Harrison Ethnobotanist through the University of Minnesota in Hawaii. Hill is also a graduate of the South West School of Botanical Medicine. It’s clear she’s got a passion for this work, and her store is inspiring. Stop by this month and do some holiday shopping that’s natural, healthy, local and sure to please.

Hill Botanical
438 Mendenhall, Suite 1
Bozeman, MT
Phone: (406) 570-4593

Liz Harrison is an alternative health and wellness junkie who lives in Bozeman. This column explores the many alternative wellness offerings and practitioners in the Gallatin Valley.  Suggestions, raves and rants may be sent to wellnessepicurean@gmail.com