West Coast Willow Apothecary is one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE places to shop in West Seattle for herbs and tinctures. They also have cool books, incense, spices, and the owner makes her own tinctures and skin care line. ALL high quality ingredients, and the herbs are from trusted organic farms. Nicole also does life changing facials in the back of the shop in the coziest nature room.

I plucked out some images that we have made in the last few years for this story- because the story of a person, a plant, or a store is the most interesting part. I’m so lucky to know this woman, and to have access to the medicine here.

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“West Coast Willow was created after the birth of my daughter, Willow. She has been an inspiration and light in my life since the moment I knew she existed. Willow is a huge part of my creations, who creates with me and learns the process of growing herbs, harvesting herbs, drying herbs, and creating something special made from the earth to promote healing and is always made with love. About Me; Natural healing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and as the years go by, I develop an even bigger passion for it. I attended the Euro Institute for skincare, and have taken many courses to become a certified skincare herbalist. I believe skincare is so much more than just the surface of your skin, it's an indicator of your entire well-being. I want to teach people how to properly care for and nurture their skin as well as their bodies, minds, and souls. I want to help people unite back with themselves and learn what it truly means to practice self care. From the moment you arrive, the full attention is on you. Come to relax and recharge your soul with me”. - Nicole owner

Herbs as Healers

Chamomile – Calms the nervous system, eases anxiety, supports sleep, and soothes the stomach. A warm chamomile tea feels like a soft blanket for the heart.
Lavender – Known for its relaxing scent, it reduces stress, encourages rest, and can ease headaches. Even a few drops of lavender oil or a sprig by your bedside can bring peace.
Peppermint – Fresh and invigorating, peppermint can ease digestion, relieve nausea, and bring clarity to the mind. A cup of peppermint tea awakens both body and spirit.
Ginger – Warming and energizing, ginger supports circulation, reduces inflammation, and helps with nausea. It carries fire that kindles the body’s healing.
Lemon Balm – Called the “gladdening herb,” it lifts the spirit, calms stress, and nurtures joy. It’s like sunshine brewed into a tea.
Rose – Beyond its beauty, rose petals in tea or tincture soothe the heart, ease grief, and open us to love. Rose medicine is both tender and powerful.
Elderberry – Long used in folk medicine, elderberry strengthens the immune system and protects against colds and flus. A sweet syrup of protection from the earth.
Nettle – Rich in vitamins and minerals, nettle restores energy, supports healthy blood, and strengthens the whole body. It is a plant of resilience.

The Healing Power of Plants

There is medicine hidden in the leaves and roots, in the flowers steeped in steaming water, in the drops of tincture resting beneath the tongue. Plants do more than heal the body—they teach us how to slow down, how to root deeply, and how to bloom again.

Chamomile whispers rest into restless minds. Nettle reminds us of strength, carrying iron through our blood. Rose opens the heart, even when it has closed in sorrow. Each herb is both remedy and teacher, carrying wisdom older than we are.

Seattle Portrait and branding photographer

For thousands of years, women have turned to the earth for medicine. Long before pharmacies and packaged pills, there were leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds—gifts from the soil, alive with healing power. To brew a tea or drop a tincture beneath your tongue is to take part in something timeless: the lineage of plant medicine.

Prehistoric Roots
Archaeological evidence shows that humans used medicinal plants at least 60,000 years ago—Neanderthal burial sites contain traces of yarrow and ephedra, herbs still known for healing. Ancient peoples learned by observation: watching which plants animals ate when sick, experimenting with roots, leaves, and flowers, and passing down wisdom through story and ritual.

Middle Ages
In Europe, monasteries kept “physic gardens,” cultivating sage, lavender, thyme, and mint. At the same time, folk healers, midwives, and “wise women” carried on herbal traditions, creating teas, poultices, and tinctures. Many of these women were later persecuted as “witches,” though their knowledge was rooted in practical plant medicine.

Chamomile
Soft as moonlight in a teacup, you hush the restless heart, lull the spirit into dream,and cradle us in gold.

Lavender is the scent of peace. Long treasured for its ability to calm the mind, lavender helps release stress and soften tension. A sprig by your pillow or a drop of oil on your wrist can quiet the noise of the day.

Peppermint is the awakener. With its cool, fresh taste, it stirs the senses, clears the mind, and soothes digestion. One sip of peppermint tea is both a comfort and a gentle spark of energy.

Ginger is fire in root form. Warming and stimulating, it helps circulation, reduces inflammation, and brings vitality back into the body. It is medicine that kindles our inner flame.

Lemon Balm is the herb of joy. Known as the “gladdening herb,” it gently lifts the spirit and brings sunshine back to heavy days. A simple cup of lemon balm tea can soften sadness and make space for light again.

Rose is the medicine of the heart. Beyond its beauty, rose heals grief, nurtures self-love, and reminds us to open gently. To drink rose tea is to be reminded of tenderness and strength woven together.

Elderberry is the guardian. For centuries, it has been used to strengthen the immune system and protect against illness. A spoonful of elderberry syrup feels like earth’s sweet shield.

Every leaf is a spell, every root a prayer whispered back into the soil.

“To drink from the earth’s herbs is to sip the memory of our ancestors.”

Each herb carries its own kind of magic—some heal the body, others soothe the spirit, and many do both.

Willow, the shops namesake. She’s a beauty!

The healing power of plants is not a trend—it is an ancestral memory. When you choose to brew tea or take tinctures, you are connecting not only with your body’s needs, but with the earth itself. Every cup, every drop is a reminder: healing doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it is as simple as water, leaf, and love.

Thank you for being here!

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West Coast Willow Apothecary Website