HERBS TO YOUR SUCCESS A HOLISTIC WELLNESS MAINSTAY IN LEHIGH VALLEY

by Sheila Julson

“People keep asking me, ‘are you ever going to retire?’ I tell them no. I still have to get the word out about herbs and essential oils!” laughs Vanessa Sabatine, a nutritional consultant and owner of Herbs to Your Success, a wellness ‘spapothecary.’

Open since 1994, Herbs to Your Success is a pioneer in Lehigh Valley’s natural health movement. The business offers a full line of essential oils, herbal teas and tea blends, wellness accessories and spa services including massage and detox therapies.

Sabatine notes that when she first opened 27 years ago, there was a lack of information or skepticism about herbs and essential oils. Although today people are more knowledgeable of holistic wellness remedies, education is still a large component of Sabatine’s business.

With an overwhelming barrage of information—and misinformation—on the internet, Sabatine notes that people might incorrectly self-diagnose or seek herbal remedies that might not be effective for them. There might also be something else available that better suits their needs. Sabatine emphasizes the importance of seeking local guidance from an experienced professional. Sabatine teaches customers about herbs and how to use them. She will also customize herbal tea blends.

Sabatine offers creative educational activities such as Essential Oils Bingo. Participants are given a Bingo card with names of essential oils and supplements in each square. As each herb or oil is called out, Sabatine explains the benefits and uses of each. The next Essential Oils Bingo takes place October 16. Sabatine will be at the Holistic Expo in Allentown, September 18-19.

Building Spapothecary from Personal Experience

Sabatine’s own weight loss journey eventually led her to form Herbs to Your Success. She discovered gurmar, an herb commonly used in ayurvedic medicine to curb cravings for sweets, which helped her achieve her weight loss goals. From there, she researched other herbal remedies and started offering detoxifying body wraps in people’s homes before opening the business.

Herbs to Your Success has an infrared sauna, which mimics the healthy rays of the sun and detoxifies more comfortably than traditional steam saunas. The oxygen sauna provides extra oxygen to the body, which can improve circulation. There is also an oxygen bar.

The ionic footbath is designed to pull out toxins from the body through the pores of the feet. The salt booth uses halotherapy, which helps to remove impurities from the lungs. It can also help improve respiratory and skin issues. In addition, there are toning tables and a chi machine, both of which encourage lymph drainage.

The herbal wraps, which can tone and firm the skin, are available as deluxe whole body wraps or partial wraps targeted for specific areas. Sabatine has added another massage therapist to her team to offer medical style massages. New offerings include lomi lomi, a Hawaiian massage that uses long, flowing strokes; and Thai ball, which includes an herbal blend. Sabatine offers a “Cleansing Club,” in which one can buy a package to access five different spa modalities.

Keeping Up with Trends

Herbs to Your Success was considered an essential business during last year’s pandemic closures. Sabatine offered natural hand sanitizer and natural cleaning products. She continues to see a high demand for immune-boosting natural remedies such as elderberry syrup.

“If I see a trend, I try to pick up in it,” says Sabatine. She offers Winter Wellness Kits in which one can make immune boosting remedies at home. The kits include herbs and oils to make hawthorn cordial, elderberry syrup, vitamin C pearls, topical trauma oil and holy basil tea.

Sabatine has overcome many hurdles during the 27 years she has been in business, from flooding at her first location in Easton, to the 2008 Great Recession and recently, the pandemic. She plans to serve the Lehigh Valley’s wellness needs for years to come. “I truly believe in herbs and essential oils. I see people coming in that still do not have much knowledge, so somebody has to be here to help them.”

Herbs to Your Success is located at 64 South Main St., in Nazareth. For more information, call 610-365-8996 or visit HerbsToYourSuccess.com.