Apr 23, 2024 By Melissa Gibson 3 min read

More than 40 years ago, the Higbee family began offering vitamins and other wellness products to the residents of Fayette County and surrounding areas.

“I was dating the Higbees’ son and started working a couple of days a week at the store,” Michelle Higbee, owner of Natures Pickin’s said. “I was probably the biggest skeptic in the world. My family was medically oriented, but the more I worked here and saw how this stuff was helping and healing and changing people’s lives, I became a believer.”

Higbee purchased the Uniontown store from her mother-in-law, Marty, in 1992 and still enjoys watching customers experience how herbal remedies, vitamins and other supplements help them.

She said many customers come in with a virus and want remedies that help boost the immune system. Instead of the illness dragging out for seven to 10 days, perhaps it’s gone in three to five days.

Others are looking for something to pair with their cancer treatments or something to heal joint discomfort.

“I recently met a customer who is an avid bowler. His knees were really bothering him and I recommended a product we have that helps rebuild cartilage and an herbal product that works as an anti-inflammatory. He came in a few days later and said he thought he might have to give up bowling, but now it’s 85% to 95% better,” Higbee said.

Skeptics who try natural remedies, are often surprised at the results.

“I think it’s changed over the years. Marty was very knowledgeable on the herbal side of the business. People were very loyal to her but today, I’ve found people are more interested in just not taking another drug,” Higbee said. “People who come in now talk about how antibiotics are just not very good for the body.”

In addition to the herbs and supplements, Higbee offers natural cleaning supplies, natural health food and even natural pet food.

“Herbs and vitamins aren’t for everyone but I’ve found particularly the younger generation is very environmentally conscious,” Higbee said. “They are making their own cleaning supplies and making changes to keep things environmentally safe.”

Higbee hosts a weekly radio show on WMBS at 1:15 p.m. every Thursday.

She’s using the platform to talk about a wide range of issues for all ages and abilities and has noticed some concerning trends.

For example, on a topic such as anti-aging, it’s not just for older generations anymore. Higbee said customers ask about issues with arthritis, eyesight and other ailments and they’re getting younger every day.

“The foods we eat today aren’t the same foods we ate 40 years ago,” Higbee said. “A few decades ago, we didn’t eat processed foods and we’re beginning to see the direct impact it’s having on people’s bodies.”

Whether interested in herbal medicines or environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies, Higbee hopes to have something for everyone.

Most of all, she wants to share the knowledge she’s gained from years in the business.

“I love my job and I like hearing the testimonies of how a product worked and they’re doing so much better or even completely healed,” Higbee said. “Good or bad, I want to know because I want to help.”

For more information, visit Natures Pickin’s at https://www.naturespickins.com/.