Prior to Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty,” the Brothers Grimm published the original folktale in 1812 titled “Briar Rose,” and prior to prescription medication, families relied on gathering wild herbs to ease their ailments. Tina Michelle Johns’ husband helped her unite the tale of the jilted fairy who placed a curse on a beautiful princess — which has always been her favorite — with her training in herbal medicine to create the name Briar Rose Herbs & Teas.
As you enter the doors of the Welcome Corner in Bell Buckle, you drink in the invigorating scent of freshly brewed coffee, but as you amble further into Johns’ apothecary shop, the calming scents of lavender, rosemary, thyme, and the subtle earthiness of sage delight your senses. Bags of aromatic loose-leaf teas, tinctures, infused vinegar, salves and balms, locally sourced honey, essential oils, and bohemian-inspired jewelry line the shelves.
For the last 27 years, Johns has worked as a respiratory therapist. She scrimped and saved and worked six days per week as a pharmacy technician to afford the tuition for her college degree. During this time, she was plagued by a thought that altered the course of her life and has led to the betterment of countless others due to the natural remedies she offers through Briar Rose.
“While I worked at the pharmacy, I watched people struggle between paying for medicine and paying for food,” said Johns. “Their decision always weighed heavy in my heart, and I thought, ‘There has to be an alternative for them.’ That same thought followed me into my years of being a bedside caregiver. I watched as my patients took multiple medications, knowing that one pill helps with the side effects for the one they need to help them get better.
“I believe allopathic, herbal, and holistic medicine can work together. My grandfather used to point out plants we could eat or even a tree branch that we could scrub our teeth with. He knew which roots would make us feel better. The minute we started coughing, he gave us a spoonful of honey. My great-grandmother was a midwife, and her husband was an herbalist. There’s always been a calling in my heart for nature.”
Since her 20s, Johns has battled chronic arthritis. Over-the-counter medications, prescription pain relievers, and steroid injections alleviated the pain temporarily, but Johns knew she needed a permanent, healthier solution.
“Holistic and natural healing was my only hope. Natural ways aren’t addictive, and knowing that my body is meant to process and work with what was naturally created made it an easy choice for me,” said Johns. “Finding herbs I could work with in teas, tinctures, and salves that alleviated my inflammation and discomfort has been fun and wonderful.”
Johns began devouring books on the subject, and after experimenting with various techniques and recipes, she began to find relief. Neighbors and others in the community requested these remedies, and their interest, combined with her own thirst for knowledge, coaxed another thought to take root. Could this call on her life, which she believed had trickled down from her wild-crafting ancestors, become a thriving business?
“Today, I have a certificate in the science and art of herbalism from an intensive program with Rosemary Gladstar in the didactic, therapeutic, laboratory, and fieldwork of herbalism. I regularly attend herbal retreats and conferences with instructors who are part of the American Herbalists Guild — who are experts in this field. These events keep my mind fresh, my skills sharp, and friendships in this field alive.”
Gladstar is a renowned herbalist who has dedicated her life to reviving the skills that prior generations relied upon for thousands of years. She is the author of multiple books on the subject, including “Planting the Future: Saving our Medicinal Herbs,” “Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health,” and “Herbal Healing for Women.” Over the years, she has passed down her vast knowledge to hundreds of students.
Like Gladstar, Johns is also passing down her knowledge to others. Those interested in learning about growing, harvesting, drying, and using herbs for better health — and to promote healing in a more natural way — can register for classes with Johns at the Bell Buckle Coffee Shop or at the Shelbyville Parks & Recreation Center.
“If I were to recommend five herbs that are easy to get started with, they would be chamomile, catnip, basil, thyme, and sage. These herbs are easy to grow and maintain. They can be blended into teas, tinctures, or salves individually. They are gentle for children yet have mighty healing properties.” GN
