Ames has a new source for herbal remedies intended to help people with various aspects of their lives and bodies.

The Herb Shop, a new kiosk in North Grand Mall, 2801 Grand Ave., provides many forms of alternative medicines and literature.

“Our products help with symptoms such as memory loss, migraines, colds, asthma, insomnia, stress, glandular problems, emphysema, bronchitis, menopause complications and sore throat,” said Alan Genovese, manager of The Herb Shop. “That is just a few; I could go on about many more.”

The Herb Shop’s products, which are mostly Nature’s Sunshine products, are applicable to a variety of people and needs.

“We sell products to all types of people at all ages,” Genovese said. “Our target, however, is typically women from the ages of 20 to 50.”

He said college-age customers often look to The Herb Shop for aid in athletic training and muscle building or substitutes for dieting.

“The products with the most demand from university students include Metabolism, Fat Grabbers and Androstene,” Genovese said.

He said these aid in either losing weight or building muscle.

“Fat Grabbers is a patented product that makes the fat that circulates in the blood to pass out of the body so that it is not stored in the blood stream,” said Celeste Hughes, owner and manager of The Herb Shop in Des Moines. “It also includes a soluble fiber that makes you feel full and suppresses your appetite.”

Another item of interest to college students assists in the difficult task of quitting smoking, Hughes said.

“It contains St. John’s Wort and Lobiela, which quenches the nicotine bite without creating addiction and detoxifies the organs and blood,” she said.

Hughes’ interest in herbal remedies extends further than her employment.

“I was a nurse for 20 years before I became a certified herbalist,” Hughes said. “I saw how natural remedies are wonderful and how it is necessary to teach the public about what to take and how much is needed.”

Employees of The Herb Shop attest to the safety of the products, but Tim Cmelik, pharmacy manager of the Student Health Center, said it still is wise for consumers to do independent research before using some items.

“I wouldn’t step out to say if a certain product is safe or not,” he said. “Herbal remedies aren’t under the same jurisdiction with the FDA as other over-the-counter or prescription medications are.”

Hughes said The Herb Shop’s goal is to educate customers about the uses and ingredients of herbal remedies.

“We give advice, do research and are knowledgeable about our products; you do get what you pay for,” she said. “The difference with us is that no one picks up a product and buys it without us asking if they know about it, which you won’t get if you buy the products off the counter at Wal-Mart or Target.”

Cmelik said it is important to read about the ingredients in any herbal product.

“It is best for the consumer to research to compare the product with American standards,” he said. “You may need to wade through some information to see what is best for your body.”