Harmonious Health

Meet your holistic health goals at Harmony Farms.

When it comes to Harmony Farms Natural Foods, most people know the local natural nurturer for its organic juice, smoothie fix or as a go-to healthful grocer. But the nee-1974 North Raleigh market has been serving up health and healing far beyond its snack power for nearly 50 years. Ask any wellness-minded local why they frequent the holistic health store and their answer will usually surprise you (think advice on gut health and a fix to catch those elusive Z’s, to name a few). Because what’s in store at Harmony Farms goes beyond what’s literally in store, an MO that’s critical to co-owner Steve Long. 

“We make sure the customers know we are available to answer their questions and assist on their natural lifestyle path,” he says of his homeopathic health hub. In a world where medicinal health care is complicated and we all have to advocate for ourselves, people are looking outside of standard Western medicine more and more. So, we asked Long to give us the lowdown on the top five holistic health goals Raleighites turn to his well-trained staff for.

Photo by Monica Cope

Immunity

Keeping immunity up during cold/flu season is especially crucial—and is what people flock to Harmony Farms for the most, says Long. To keep yourself in tiptop health this fall, he recs taking natural herbs and formulas, including top items like vitamin C and D3. Other supplements include quercetin, a powerful antihistamine found in fruits and veggies; elderberry, clinically known to kill 99% of throat infections; and NAC-N-Acetyl-Cysteine, which occurs naturally (found in garlic, eggs and turkey) and is clinically known to help with building healthy new lung tissue. Of course, the organic smoothie bar serves up immunity-boosting ops as well, including sea moss, which “has 92 of our bodies’ naturally occurring 108 minerals—thus, in essence, is a living multivitamin,” says Long. See ya, Airborne!

Digestive Issues/Gut Health

Think gas, bloating, gurgling and the runs after a meal are normal? Think again. Gut health is also top of mind for Harmony Farms’ frequenters, and Long’s go-to answer for healing your tumultuous tummy are digestive enzymes, probiotics and other formulas—all of which could  save you some trips to the bathroom—and boost brain health. “An unhealthy gut takes a negative toll on your brain as you are not absorbing all the nutrients you need from food,” he emphasizes. “Antibiotics and the stomach flu wipe out all of our naturally occurring beneficial gut bacteria and digestive enzymes, thus getting those probiotics and enzymes back is paramount.” 

Sleeping

What was once easy is now a 2am struggle—and supplements aplenty offer the promise of sweet slumber (even Kourtney Kardashian has a line of melatonin gummies). But sleep solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Weary-eyed Raleighites stumble to Harmony Farms looking for a sound solution to navigate all the natural products and herbs promising peaceful slumber. … Sleep = happiness—and “all healing begins with sleep!” Long maintains. “Lack of sleep undermines every aspect of your life.” 

Brain Health

“Staying mentally sharp is a must for achieving life goals,” says Long. Those looking for a brain boost frequent the health hub to navigate its stock of smarts-supporting natural anti-inflammatories like turmeric extract curcumin, which remove plaque from the brain; and fish oil, clinically known to boost the neurotransmitters for focus and short-term memory—just two must-have-on-a-daily-basis products he recommends. 

Energy

Though Harmony Farms does offer coffee and espresso bevs, sluggish customers also come in for more natural energy-boosting supplements. Long suggests trying a multivitamin with a good spectrum of B vitamins, which is “foundational for boosting your metabolism and thus your energy levels,” he says. And in addition to popular caffeinated herbs like guarana and yerba maté, for lackluster locals looking for a noncaffeine-based herbs, there’s ginseng, gotu kola and cat’s claw. Meow!