The Village Herbal and Health

The Main Road shop is now closed, but Janice will be continuing her work from home starting in October.

Traditional American Indian knowledge combined with modern scientific research. Janice has a Masters Degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology (incuding classes in botany, ecology, and biology), a Diploma in Therapeutic Massage, and a Diploma in Herbal Medicine.

ALSO the new home of clairvoyant, Aryana. Contact her on 027 257 5298.

FULL BIO: Janice Denny, MSc, NZATMO, FMW
My family comes from the Southern States of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri etc. who then blew west as the dust bowl took all. My mother's lineage is from the area called the Cherokee Nation, and we have strong blood ties to Eastern Indian tribes and Plains Indians because of the area they were all shoved into on reservations. Growing up we were told that Grandpa was "Black Scotch" which I have since found was how the Cherokee labelled themselves when marrying outside their tribe to retain ownership of their land.

Proving family history has been tough because people kept their Indian blood secret for various reasons. My Grandma used to take me on walks on their ranch and help me to learn the way to talk to the plants. She never taught others in my family because she said they were never interested. I grew up using plants to solve health problems such as colds, stomach ache, sleeplessness, anxiety etc. We never called the vet, instead we just used the plants available to us. We also never imported anything because as my Grandma always said "all that you need is right in front of you if you learn how to use it".

I was taught to question and observe, which I think is sorely lacking in today's world. I went through school with a scientific bent...always search for the truth, always question what you are being told (and sold). I went on to get a Masters Degree at Oregon State University (Fisheries and Wildlife Biology). We had classes in Botany, Ecology and endless Biology...helpful in massage and herbology. I have a six year diploma in Therapeutic Massage and a four year. Diploma in Herbal Medicine.

I call myself an "Ethnobotanist" because I rely more on how my lineage taught me my herbal lore...thousands of years of Tribal knowledge isn't to be scoffed at. I do back up my knowledge with the current scientific research. My philosophy is it doesn’t matter how many letters I have behind my name, I rely on the knowledge of the plants, because I know what it is from my growing it. I do not claim that the plants can do anything other than what I feel they can do. Herbal medicine is different from Western Medicine because with the herbal, you are providing help for the body to regain health, not just suppressing a symptom to make the pain or other symptoms go away. But, the average life expectancy when herbs were the only help available was certainly less than it is today.

I provide services in deep tissue, remedial, and therapeutic massage, personalised medicinal herbal remedies for common ailments like cold, flu, hormonal balancing, skin conditions, mood swings, emotional upsets, and sleep aids etc, as well as infra-red sauna for relaxation and muscle pain.