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Step through the door of the herbalist's shop...
Step through the door of the herbalist's shop...

Step through the door of the herbalist's shop...

Interview LB, Ellen Desmecht.

3 questions about Ellen's world, the short Q/A Konbini style and the definition of luxury, this is the LB interview to learn more about the maison Desmecht, her job and her advices!

ITV Ellen Desmecht by LB
LB // Thank you, Ellen, for granting us this interview. We are here in your precious and renowned boutique located on the equally famous Place Ste-Catherine. It is truly a temple of natural remedies, with plants possessing extraordinary powers and natural products. We are talking about a family history, a know-how that has been passed down. How long has the story of Desmecht herbalist been going on? In which year did the history of Desmecht herbalist begin?

Ellen // The history of our boutique began in 1840, when the Fuhr sisters opened a store selling flour as a substitute for breast milk during that revolutionary time. It was my grandmother who took over the business and opened a dietary store.
My grandfather, her husband, had a neighboring shop selling bulk herbs, known as a "droguerie" at the time. It was my father who made the decision to delve deeper into the power of plants and combined the "dietary" aspect with herbalism.
Around the year 2000, the store was renovated to its current form while preserving its warm, traditional elements. Since my childhood, I have been surrounded by plants in the storeroom, exploring this exciting world and assisting my parents in the shop. However, it was in 2004, after completing my university studies, that I definitively decided to join the family business. Today, I can also rely on my husband, who supports me in the administrative tasks. And yes, even my children are discovering this fascinating world. Who knows, perhaps one day they will be by my side?

LB // The benefits and powers of plants on health are widely recognized today, and the use of active principles from many plants is very common in medicine. Regarding the relationship between herbalism and conventional medicine, are you complementary to medical treatments? What can be treated with plants?

Ellen // We focus on the nutritional aspect of our health, avoiding deficiencies and supporting our well-being with good vitamins, minerals, and more. This can help many people maintain their fitness. On the other hand, we can also associate specific plants that have more targeted activities. These plants direct the functioning of our body towards the right direction to prevent more severe issues. So, on one hand, we focus more on prevention. However, some customers seek natural alternatives to certain medications in order to avoid, among other things, side effects. We guide them, to the best of our ability, towards natural alternatives.
But the main conclusion is that conventional medicine and the tradition of herbal remedies complement and support each other.

LB // As for me, and I know many of our readers would like to benefit from your expert advice, what remedies can help us maintain baby-like skin? What can give us energy in the morning and promote better sleep? Lastly, what would be your top 5 natural products, vitamins, or supplements to take regularly?

Ellen // For the skin, there is indeed a range of creams and oils, such as argan oil and rosehip oil, as well as hydrosols that can be used as toning lotions. Internally, we could also use fish collagen to improve the elasticity of our skin. And let's not forget about the good fatty acids that nourish our skin from the inside out, such as borage oil or sea buckthorn oil, for example.

Top 5:

  1. Vitamin D3, which we all need to support the immune and nervous systems.
  2. Milk thistle (in powder or capsule form) for regular liver cleansing.
  3. Magnesium and B vitamins to nourish our nervous system.
  4. Anti-inflammatory oil with essential oils, a must-have in your cabinet.
  5. Virimus herbal tea, to be used at the first signs of a cold or flu to support immunity.

Oh... It's difficult to limit myself to just five things!

Interview LB Inside Konbini style.

  1. Rather "Night" or "Day"?
    Ellen // Day!
  2. Rather "Meat" or "Fish"?
    Ellen // Meat
  3. Rather "Diamond" or "Sapphire"?
    Ellen // Diamond
  4. Rather "Lion" or "Tiger"?
    Ellen // Lion
  5. Rather "Fantasy" or a "Comedy" film?
    Ellen // Fantasy
  6. Rather "Appetizer/Main Course" or "Main Course/Dessert"?
    Ellen // Appetizer & Main course
  7. Rather a "Dog" or a "Cat"?
    Ellen // Dog
  8. Rather the "Sea" or the "Mountains"?
    Ellen // Sea
  9. Rather "Thai" or "Italian" cuisine?
    Ellen // Italian

Favorite "definition of luxury":

According to you, Ellen, which definition of luxury is closest to your vision?

  1. Oscar de la Renta: "Luxury is not about buying expensive things, it is about living in a way that allows you to appreciate them."
  2. Henry Royce: "Luxury is when quality remains long after the price is forgotten."

Ellen // According to my vision, the definition of luxury that is closest would be Oscar de la Renta's: "Luxury is not about buying expensive things, it is about living in a way that allows you to appreciate them."
For me, true luxury is not solely determined by the price tag of an item, but rather by the ability to truly enjoy and appreciate the things we have in our lives. It emphasizes the experiential aspect of luxury, where the focus is on the enjoyment and fulfillment derived from the item or experience, rather than the monetary value alone. This perspective aligns with the idea that luxury is about a quality of life that goes beyond material possessions and transcends into the realm of personal fulfillment and appreciation.

Go to Desmecht boutique.
Website  //  GPS location Place Ste-Catherine.

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