Why I Added an Apothecary to a Shungite Store

A shungite store and an herbal apothecary might seem like an unlikely pairing — until you understand the philosophy connecting them. This is the story of how a painful medical ordeal led a nurse practitioner deep into the world of plant medicine, and why shungite and herbs belong together under one roof.

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Why Shungite and Plant Medicine Belong Together

At Shungite Queen, I've always believed in the profound connection between the natural world and our well-being. Shungite, with its grounding and protective properties, has been at the heart of my work for years. This is the story of why I added an apothecary — and how a painful personal health crisis became the catalyst for everything.

This has been a labor of love, born from my passion for the earth, natural health and plant medicine. Over time, I've seen how deeply our health connects with and depends on the natural world. From the grounding protection of shungite to the nurturing potential of herbs, it's become increasingly clear that these elements belong together.

This Apothecary is a deeply personal project for me, blending my experience as a nurse practitioner with my lifelong passion for natural health.

However, I didn't just wake up one morning and decide to create the Apothecary. That is a bit of a story that I will try to tell here... without making a long story even longer. 

I have always been fascinated with herbal medicinals, even before becoming a nurse in 1985. I dabbled in herbalism, tinctures and oils, and more recently growing medicinal plants in my garden. But it wasn't until recently that a major health challenge pushed me over the proverbial cliff in a "fly, little bird, fly" moment.

My options were to fly - or crash and burn - so I flew!

How My Medical Misadventure Turned the Light Bulb On

I had been struggling with a severe chronic shoulder issue for more than a year, which was worsening despite all my efforts and treatment modalities of every type and flavor. I finally opted to undergo a "manipulation under anesthesia" (MUA) by my orthopedic surgeon.

This was not an easy decision for me. Surgery has never been my go-to - more of something to be avoided - so this was more of a last resort.

It was likely going to be the first of two procedures. The goal was to break up severe adhesions that were preventing the doc from repairing the shoulder, then immediately doing an aggressive physical therapy protocol that would prepare the shoulder for the second surgery a few months down the road. I had the manipulation in August of 2024 and started PT literally the next day. However, things did not go as planned.

I spent two months in agony and no one knew why. I had never been in so much pain. As someone with above average pain tolerance, it made no sense.

I also had an unusual bruise appear on my upper arm a few days after the manipulation, and an odd bulge on one side of my elbow which is still there to this day.

Long story short... when I finally got in to see the surgeon 8 weeks later, an MRI showed that he had accidentally BROKEN my shoulder during the manipulation. I had an avulsion fracture of the greater tuberosity of the humerus and an associated rotator cuff tear. Basically, one of the rotator cuff muscles tore a chunk of bone right out of my shoulder.

The fracture I sustained requires 9 months to heal - not the standard 6 weeks. Avulsion fractures are nasty!

This break is famous for being missed on xray - which was the case with me. Given that my orthopedic surgeon had never broken anyone's shoulder during a manipulation, he and his PAs missed it... in spite of my pleas. My uncharacteristic bruise and intractable pain should have been their first clue - but that's a saga for a different day.

Miraculously, the fracture reseated itself and was somehow holding together, in spite of the fact that nothing was immobilized - actually, the opposite was true. I was doing lots of PT to "keep it mobile," the goal after breaking up adhesions.

All this time, I was desperate for relief. Of course, I was on big-guns pain medication because the PT following an MUA is quite painful even under the best of circumstances. Those meds were not touching the pain. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. I was basically tethered to a cold machine when I wasn't battling through the rigorous daily therapy regimen. After several weeks, I began to feel depression setting in. I knew I had to do something, but what?

So I dragged myself into the kitchen and began crafting herbal oils.

I had some experience with these - but ONLY a little - so I took an online course from the infused oils master. 

The oils I learned to make saved me, I am convinced. Not only did they take my pain down a few notches, but I think they are responsible for helping knit these bones together. That, and a lot of prayers to spirit, angels, guides and anyone else available.

This ordeal opened my eyes to the power and the wisdom of the plants. They had earned my respect. An Apothecary seemed the next natural step.

An Apothecary Is Born

The word apothecary may sound old-fashioned, but its essence is timeless. Historically, an apothecary was a place where remedies were prepared and dispensed — often blending science with the wisdom of nature. In modern times, the term evokes a return to simple, handcrafted solutions for health and well-being.

At Shungite Queen Apothecary, I carry on this tradition with natural, plant-based remedies designed to support your body's innate resilience and vitality. This endeavor brings together science, nature, and intuition to create products that are as practical as they are potent.

The same intention that has guided my work with shungite — protecting, grounding, and healing — is infused into every product you'll find in the Apothecary. Together, these tools offer a holistic approach to health, bringing ancient wisdom into the modern world.

A Shared Philosophy: Protection and Connection

At its core, shungite is more than just a mineral. It represents a profound relationship between protection and connection. By transforming the harmful EMFs that surround us into those more in tune with our bodies, shungite reminds us to reconnect with what's natural and essential - grounding ourselves in the earth's energy.

Plant medicine shares this philosophy.

Plants, like shungite, are nature's way of supporting and enhancing our health. Whether it's a soothing herb-infused massage oil or a potent healing salve, these remedies embody the philosophy that true wellness comes from harmony with the natural world.

The Apothecary embraces this philosophy with products that complement shungite's protective qualities while connecting you with the earth and nurturing your physical and energetic well-being.

Every product in this collection is crafted with the same care and intention that you've come to expect from Shungite Queen. This is plant medicine in its purest form.

Explore the Apothecary

Step into the Apothecary and discover the gentle strength of nature in a sanctuary of handcrafted remedies, each a testament to the wisdom and healing power of plants.