The healing power of plants and the study of herbal medicine has become more popular in recent years at many people opt for Mother Nature’s pharmaceutical drug store that has been used for thousands of years by civilizations and tribes.

Tif Hutchinson, owner of Sense of Balance Apothecary in Superior, has followed natural medicine for more than two decades.

“In 2000, I was in a near fatal accident. I was hit by a drunk driver and I spent 9 1/5 months in a Japanese hospital," Hutchinson said. "I was never given a narcotic or anything like that. They came in and did natural medicine on a regular basis, I mean every half-hour. I went through multiple surgeries. I was in a full body cast. It was baptism by fire as I was immersed in Eastern medicine.” 

Hutchinson was in the entertainment industry and had traveled the globe for 22 years. 

“In Europe and different parts of the world, they are still plugged into natural medicine and they have found a balance between conventional and natural medicine which, looking at history, has served them well.” 

She had been an EMT, a paramedic, a lifeguard, all with extensive training, so helping people has been in her wheelhouse for many years. And holistic medicine moved up the ladder after her accident.

Hutchinson met Peggy Stewart who was just closing her business in Superior, Sense if Balance, which was an herbal store. 

“I gleaned and learned a lot from Peg just through our friendship and travels which was about four years ago. The last three years have been a transformation time for me.” 

Six months prior to her own accident, Hutchinson had lost a loved one in another drunk driving accident. 

“I may have lost her physically, but she’s definitely always been with me. It’s been a healing time for me, coming back to the center of who I am. When I’m researching and compounding and mixing, I feel her energy, her presence with me,” she shared.

Her education in apothecary has been through learning experiences, researching ancient scripts in libraries and museums. Piecing them together for the recipes from years and years of study. She is a certified infrared therapist, which is her latest achievement.  

‘It uses focused sound and infrared light to heal the body. It’s being used in everything from veterinary to dentistry to stroke victims to ALS to MS. It’s the fastest way to heal soft tissue and nerve damage,” she explains.

Where Hutchinson is today is where she was meant to be. In this community, helping people through her experiences, knowledge, and linctus. 

“This feeds my soul. Someone just asked me the other day how I measure my success. And quite simply, I measure my success by other people’s victories,” she said with a smile.

“It’s Sense of Balance Apothecary so it’s new ownership, new store, and new concept,” Hutchinson explained. “I’m trying to find new pathways to the same destinations through old world medicine.” 

One of the two compounds she makes, Nerve & Joint, is where people have had the most success as it targets nerve and joint pain, specifically. 

“A lot of people have gotten relief from sciatica, herniated discs, migraines, arthritis is a big one. The other compound, Formula 1, is a combination of essential oils, natural butters and herbal extracts that is used from a dandruff treatment to athletes’ foot to bruises, scrapes, sore muscles, arthritis, and psoriasis. 

“It’s pretty much an all-encompassing compound. It goes right into your skin, it doesn’t leave you greasy, doesn’t leave you smelling like Ben Gay,” she explained.  

But teas, lip balms, incenses, therapeutic colognes, beard oils, hair conditioners and what you might expect to find in retail health stores align the walls without the commercial name brands. 

She opens Tuesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., but Fridays and Saturdays open to 6 p.m. Mondays are by appointment for consultations.