MUSCATINE Working as a registered nurse, Muscatine resident Michelle Servadio learned how the mind, body and spirit are all connected when it comes to wellness.

Despite mostly helping patients with Western medicine, Servadio said a lot of nurses believe in a holistic approach to health.

"A lot of medicines actually started out from plants, like aspirin came from the willow tree," Servadio said. "The pharmaceutical industry synthesizes it and turns it into the pills we have today, but many of them were derived from something already in nature."

Servadio is still a registered nurse today but decided to stop practicing and focus more on alternative and plant-based healing methods. She opened a new holistic health store in Muscatine just for that purpose, called Limitless RN Apothecary.

"It's something I've wanted to do for about 10 years, have a business I believe in that's focused on treating the underlying cause and getting the body in alignment," she said.

Servadio said most Western medicine is reactive and taken after patients experience symptoms or become ill. She believes it is most important to take a preventative approach to health, by eating whole foods and living a lifestyle that could help ward off future diseases.

Her new store, Limitless RN, which will officially open July 1, will offer culinary and herb gardens, essential oils, aromatherapy and other healing products.

"There's a great need for it here in the area," Servadio said. "We basically only have the farmers market where people buy plants and try to get things from nature."

She said there are few options for Muscatine residents hoping to receive alternative medicine, such as Prairie Jewel Acupuncture, which focuses on Eastern healing practices.

Servadio hopes local residents are starting to gain more interest in holistic health, and her main goal is making healthy lifestyle changes as easy to implement as possible.

Servadio's main product she will sell are potted gardens, each with its own theme, including multiple plants to be used for teas, meals or aromatherapy.

She hand-picks each plant and organizes them in a recycled planter, making sure the plants will have enough room to grow.

One of Servadio's favorite creations is a citrus tea garden, including orange mint, lemongrass, peppermint and other tea leaves. She said the leaves can be used to make a tea, be added to a bath or placed under a pillow for a restful sleep.

She also creates culinary gardens, such as one including all the herbs you need for a flavorful Thanksgiving meal or one with all the herbs needed to spice up a French dinner.

"I think people usually grab the plastic bottle and sprinkle dried herbs on their food," she said. "But there's real benefit to taking something fresh. It's better for your family and your health and will encourage you to eat healthier food rather than processed food."

Servadio said she has personally seen the benefits of eating a plant-based diet. After suffering from stomach issues, she switched her diet two years ago and lost about 70 pounds.

"It also made me be more active," Servadio said. "And it's very therapeutic, taking care of the mind, body and spirit. It's really an act of self care and leads to taking better care of yourself and family."

Limitless RN also will sell photographs taken by Muscatine Community College instructor Jim Elias and jewelry made by Servadio's daughter, Alyssa. Servadio hopes to hold holistic health classes in the store as well.

Servadio said Limitless RN Apothecary is now open with limited hours. It will officially open July 1 and have hours Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Limitless RN Apothecary is at 209 W. 2nd St. For more information, call 563-506-8714 or visit limitlessrn.com.

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Mind, body, spirit: Nurse opens holistic health store to promote overall wellness - Muscatine Journal