Aglow Apothecary + Healing Haven – A Sanctuary For Whole Body Wellness

A haven is a place of refuge and safety, a port in the storm where one can find peace. It’s a place where you can ask for help and know it will come.. It’s a place that has what you need, and where you know everyone is on your side.

Aglow Apothecary + Healing Haven, tucked in the heart of Old Town in Columbus, is one of these rare and precious places. No matter your troubles, Aglow is the warm and welcoming base camp for your wellness journey, whatever that may be. From plant medicine and herbalism to yoga, breathwork and sound therapy, reiki and massage, essential oils, healing teas, special classes and more, Aglow can help you move forward.

Nedda Hatcher, the Haven’s owner and a clinical herbalist, has made sure of it. Aglow’s offerings are tailored to each person’s specific needs.

Enter Aglow Apothecary, and the first thing you’ll notice is how thoughtfully the space has been presented. Warm light illuminates the sparkling display cases lining the walls, each full of crystals and gorgeous plants. Shelves of meticulously-labeled jars are perched quietly around the shop, and the gentle aroma of tea seeps away your worries.

The first of its kind in the Chattahoochee Valley, Aglow Apothecary is a full-service, holistic experience. Everything – from the items for sale to the services offered – has been expertly curated to provide the most comprehensive wellness experience you could hope for. 

“Here at Aglow, we believe that the Earth is a powerful healer and that plants offer incredible solutions to most of the health concerns that plague us today,” says Hatcher. “With over 15 years’ experience, education, and training in Western, Eastern, Indigenous, and Ayurvedic Healing Principles, we craft personal, integrative protocols that utilize herbal therapies, breathwork, and other modalities to address a wide array of concerns.”

Hatcher has assembled a group of healers with a mission to find the root of an illness, not just provide a temporary prescription to mask each symptom. 

Each practitioner will spend time assessing the physical and emotional needs of a patient in order to more effectively treat their ailment. “Part of our mission is to educate people, to help them realize that physical presentations of wellness can have many different facets,” says Hatcher. “If someone is in consultation with me, I like to have yoga, massage, and reiki practitioners available to help address all aspects of their illness or ailment. We can work as your holistic care team to process and heal not only the physical symptoms, but the emotional and spiritual aspects as well.”

The interaction between body and mind is a primary focus in the healing process. Lolli Roth, one of The Haven’s health practitioners, has 15 years of experience in massage therapy, and trained and practiced in Hawaii and Asheville before coming to Columbus. Her expertise in integrative massage allows her to custom tailor her treatments and techniques to the unique health needs and goals of her clients.

The essence of yoga also allows a union between body and mind. “A lot of people don’t want to be in their bodies,” says Naomi Gogas, one of the yoga practitioners at Aglow. “They’re looking to an external source to find happiness, satisfaction, or peace, but you’re only going to find it in yourself. Even just the simplest form of yoga, breathwork, can provide meaningful solutions to these issues. To be able to take an intentional breath and feel it resonate through the body gives a vital body awareness, essentially, ‘This is me, I can feel myself.’”

Another essential part of holistic wellness is energy and sound therapy, which can help those dealing with stress, anxiety, pain, and emotional issues. Alison Mills-Long is a Reiki Master/Teacher and Certified Therapeutic Sound Practitioner. “I’ve studied music since childhood. My degree is in music, and when I was introduced to the world of sound healing, I was so excited. Adding sound to Reiki sessions has enhanced the intuitive aspect of the modality. I am also a Life Coach, Transpersonal Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner, and Dream Analyst, which helps me create customized sessions for each client to meet their individual needs. The breath and voice work, in addition to the singing bowls and other instruments, provide a well-rounded therapeutic sound experience that ties it all together.”

Renee Griner, The Haven’s resident oncological Nurse Practitioner, rounds out their team of holistic healthcare professionals. The Haven works through a partnership with After the Ribbon, Griner’s nonprofit foundation which focuses on improving the well-being of people affected by cancer. “Now we’re bringing in support for those undergoing oncology treatment and those who are in remission,” she says. “I think the treatments our cancer patients receive at The Haven work very synergistically. That something more, offers a better quality of life. I knew there had to be something better, and this is it.”

Aglow is an apothecary too of course, so it’s important to highlight the many thoughtful items available at the shop. The Tea + Treats bar is the area’s largest selection of herbal teas and snacks, which you can enjoy at the Haven or on the run. You can also browse a carefully curated selection of jewelry, home decor, plants, candles, art, books, journals, bath and body items, and many gifts and works from local and regional artisans and small businesses.

“At Aglow, we believe that the mindfully curated products and brands we bring to the community are a reflection of our mission and ethos. Over 96% of our suppliers are small businesses, with the majority being woman-owned. We are committed to partnering with brands who sustainably and ethically source their materials and ingredients, and who give back to the Earth and their communities,” says Hatcher.

The incredible space is the first in this community to offer truly holistic care. The Haven has access to a plethora of treatment modalities and practitioners, and, “No matter what a patient presents with, even if we can’t cure it, we can make it more livable,” says Hatcher. “We really just want to focus on how we can help the community. Yesterday I got a call from Kentucky –  people are searching so hard for solutions, and when they hear that there is something out there that’s working … that is what we’re doing this for. It’s not expensive and it’s not risky. We’re just here to heal.” 

For more information about Aglow Apothecary + Healing Haven, or to find out more about their upcoming events, check out their Facebook and Instagram (@aglowapothecary). We would also highly recommend stopping by and grabbing a cup of tea, having a chat with Nedda and checking out some of their beautiful products. The Haven is located at 3501 Massee Lane in Old Town. Get a full line up of their upcoming workshops at aglowapothecary.com.

By Sarah Algoe