Small Town News

New business takes organic approach to healing

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The Witches Cabinet offers teas, candles and lotions

Jennifer "Jay" Levine doesn't just sell the products in her new store, The Witches Cabinet. She uses them in her everyday life.

"I don't put anything in here that I wouldn't use on my own family," Levine said, gesturing to the shelves around the store. "I test everything over and over and over on myself, or on them."

Levine, who co-owns The Witches Cabinet with Kerrie Biehl and Maria Castro, broke her ankle in September. After a reconstructive surgery, she began using some of her own balms on her post-surgery scars.

"Now, I'm not saying I know everything about health or anything, but my it reduced those scars by a lot," Levine said. "It blends well with your body."

The new Shelton business, located at 221 W. Railroad Ave., suite E, sells organic teas, candles, lotions, balms and herbs that the owners make themselves. The business opened its doors in December.

"It's not getting to our shelves if it isn't right," Castro said.

Levine started the business with another friend. The two were making soaps at home for fun, and eventually began selling their products to co-workers and friends. Their popularity grew, until one day people they didn't know were calling them to request the soaps. "We were constantly doing it," Levine said. "It got to the point that she wasn't going to work anymore. We were just making soaps."

The previous business partner had to step back from owning a business, but Levine met Castro and Biehl at an Arts Walk event in Olympia, and said she instantly felt a connection with the women.

Each owner has a different job at the shop.

Biehl is working to create an authentic, medieval clothing line. Levine creates lotions, balms, candles and soaps. Castro finds herbs and makes teas.

Castro said she started out creating teas from recipes she found, but eventually branched off into creating her own concoctions.

"I start with a basic blend and tweak it until I like the taste," she said. "I'll leave the healing to (Levine) and stick to what is tasty."

Levine, who was a nurse at

Mason General Hospital, said she was introduced to natural remedies through her career in the health industry.

"Patients were coming in and looking for more natural remedies," she said. "I had to start doing a lot of research."

Levine said about 50 percent of the minor cases she saw were people who had a reaction to conventional medication.

She began diving into the world of herbal remedies to understand ways to treat people without medications.

Additionally, Levine said she was driven to find alternative treatments to her daughter's Crohn's disease.

Castro said she was more interested in the magical aspect of the herbs.

The business owner said that in addition to melding better with the body, herbal remedies are often much less expensive than conventional medications.

"It sometimes comes down to a little package of herbs versus a $400 medication," she said. "And a lot of medication is made from herbs anyway."

Levine said she knows she isn't trained in herbal medications, but she knows what has worked for people for thousands of years, and what is continuing to work for her family today.

In the future, the women hope to build on their location. They said they envision a three-story building where people can get all-natural products, enjoy tea or coffee, buy fresh produce or find information on herbal treatments.

All of the products are made with as many local ingredients as the women can find. They get items such as beeswax and lavender from local farmers.

"If a kid puts soap in his mouth, there's going to be no harm," Levine said with a laugh. "It might not taste great, but it's all good ingredients."

For more information, call the business at 277-6424, or visit their blog at www.thewitchescabinet.blogspot.com.



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