Passion Herbale

Entering Valérie Pelletier’s new natural products boutique is pure delight. Every shelf is laden with brightly-coloured products that you won’t find in any pharmacy – guaranteed. Aptly named “Passion Herbale”, the boutique is a source of inspiration for anyone interested in body care products devoid of harsh chemicals that often cost a pretty penny.

Valérie Pelletier in her lab.

Having opened the shop in June, Pelletier is all smiles as she embarks upon her dream as an expert in herbalism. Her bubbly personality warmly welcomes customers as they peruse her face and body products which are all made with organic, medicinal plants. Although Pelletier uses a gamut of Quebec-based plants, she particularly favours a combination of Argan oil, rose musk and Shea butter in all of her products.

Pelletier has always been interested in the world of health and well-being, subjects which were actively encouraged by her mother who fed her family all-natural, organic products. Today, she credits her great-grandmother’s talents in herbalism and midwifery for sparking an interest in medicinal plants. When Pelletier was 10 years old, she wanted to become an aesthetician but soon realised that her real passion lay in wellness and health, not in beauty. Her aspirations initially turned to the field of medicine, but life had other plans for the young mother of two children, Éliane and Olivier. While raising a family, Pelletier hit the books, taking online courses in herbalism before finally opening up shop. Today, the spacious establishment painted in cream tones and accentuated with pale green hues is an ideal spot for customers to stock up on anything from face and lip products to body products for men to shampoos and conditioners.

There is an educational aspect at Pelletier’s shop – each shelf, lined with products, offers an explanatory sheet providing basic points about each medicinal plant and natural ingredient that is used. Customers discover the benefits related to the use of calendula, chamomile, cocoa butter, lavender, mint, ginger, grapefruit… and the list goes on. These days, a number of body lotions such as “Gingembre Tonique”, a hydrating and anti-cellulite lotion that is popular among pregnant women as well as “L’homme des bois”, a men’s lotion that visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles and of scars are selling quickly and Pelletier’s rose-based face creams and avocado face masks are selling like hot cakes.

Valérie Pelletier’s “Passion Herbale” is open from Mondays to  Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Thursdays to Sundays  from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please contact  Valérie at (579) 436-8814.