Living the Herbal Life

Tucked away, at the end of a worn dirt road in Connelly Springs, NC is a charming "old home place," seemingly unassuming. It is not until Wilma Cooke greets you to give a grand tour of her herb gardens and shop that the true treasures reveal themselves.

The air encircling Cook’s nearly 150-year-old home is filled with the scent of Rosemary, Cooke’s favorite herb, which borders her front porch and shop. Once each guest is welcomed Cooke begins her garden tour stopping first at "Thyme Square." She then hangs a right and goes through the communities of English Lavender, French Peppermint, Greek Basil and Italian Oregano, resting by the vegetable gardens and always pausing occasionally at each flower while sharing a bit of wisdom.

Influenced by her mother, Cooke’s earliest memories are of accompanying her into the wooded area on their property to gather wild herbs for the family’s medicines. Cooke, trying to pattern her life and career after her mother, worked as a florist for 40 years, though she always remained a herbalist at heart.

New Beginnings

At 72-years-old, when most her age begin to slow their pace, Cooke started her own business, Heritage Herbs, producing herbal remedies and natural care products. Now, eight years later, in a small shop about 10 steps from her front porch, Cooke makes and sells natural medications that heal, relax and relieve almost any ailment. From allergies to arthritis and depression to diabetes, she compounds products that treat the whole body.

Cooke reminds her visitors that her products are not to take the place of a physician, but to work along with the treatment prescribed. Many hospitals and colleges have turned to Cooke for herbal advice. For the past 15 years she’s been either teaching or speaking at Frye Regional Medical Center, Catawba Valley Community College, Western Piedmont Community College and several other colleges and universities around the Hickory, NC area. She also gives herbal and vinegar workshops and cooking classes in her home, which, like her business, have endured strictly through word of mouth.

Carrying everything from healing ointments and tea tree oil to aromatherapy pillows and seasonings, Heritage Herbs has a large mail order client base with customers from all over the United States and Canada. With such plentiful and diverse clientele, it’s easy to see why herbal remedies are becoming so popular. "The more awareness there is, the more acceptance there is," explains Cooke.

The interior of Cooke’s home reflects her passion for herbs as well. From herbal printed wallpaper and fine herb painted china to Rosemary tea and cookies, Cooke offers the full herbal experience. This passion for everything herbal also spills over into entertaining her many guests.

A Good "Cooke" in More Ways Then One

Along with running Heritage Herbs Cooke hosts five-course herbal luncheons and teas with hors d’oeuvres and pastries, which she books sometimes six months in advance. Preparations for the extensive meals often begin two days before her patrons arrive, planning a menu of herbal cheese loaves, herbal chicken salad, fish pie, herbal spreads and herb-spiced vegetables and dressings. Each item is prepared with herbs, even the dessert.

Meals aren’t just for Heritage Herbs clients; many of her customers are complete strangers, which doesn’t bother Cooke. "I love people, love what I’m doing and love plants," she explains. "So it all goes together."

Cooke always welcomes those who are just passing through, but if you want to meet with this herbal guru make sure to call before you come, she’s constantly on-the-go. With almost 80-years behind her, Cooke has no plans to slow down or let her herbal legacy fall by the wayside. Along with her daughter she has several other apprentices who plan to carry on the herbal tradition.

With the growing awareness of natural medicines Cooke hopes people will recognize that they have choices when it comes to their health. Helping people while sharing the benefits of her life with herbs has always been Cooke’s passion. "Our bodies are natural," explains Cooke. "We should treat them with natural remedies."

by Beth Hardy