Editor’s Note: This article appeared first in The Times’ 2019 Profile edition that published in late March.

It began with elderberry syrup. Elderberry sounds medieval or exotic, not something commonplace that grows around, over, and through fencing in a pasture in North Alabama. But it does. 

With these elderberries, Hanceville’s DeAnn McClure Duke began selling to Facebook friends the same syrup she already had been making, taking, and giving to her own family for years.

Duke also loved hearing the stories her parents told her as a child about collecting plants, known as wild crafting, for cough syrups.

Her interest in natural health grew as she raised eight children. In 2014, the sudden loss of her 16-year-old son Eli led her to look for a way to bear the unbearable. She decided to study herbal medicine formally and, in 2017, put her knowledge and skills to use as founder and herbalist of Weeds N Roots Herbals.

According to the American Herbalist Guild, herbalism or herbal medicine, focuses on preventing sickness, treating sickness by identifying its cause, and maintaining wellness. It may include consideration of nutrition, exercise, lifestyle, and other factors. 

“We assist the body in performing its natural functions,” Duke said.

Duke recalled her struggles with modern medicine when her first child, who was three, suffered from recurring ear infections. She described her frustration at having a new antibiotic prescribed every few months that did not work and often caused harsh side effects. At that point, she decided to find an alternative.

“I went into GNC and described the problems my son was having, and the saleslady recommended garlic oil,” she said. “So I went home and used it, and it worked. She recommended that I feed him yogurt in order to strengthen his immune system. I think that’s what herbalists look for. All the time we see this cycle of medicate, medicate, medicate, but you have all these side effects from the medication. So we look for something a little less harsh that’s going to do the same thing.”

She added, “Don’t get me wrong. There are miracles in medicine that I am so thankful for. There are many paths to healing.”

To become an herbalist, Duke began studying under her mentor, Shonda Parker, who teaches at the Naturally Healthy Institute. 

“I chose Parker because of her knowledge base. She also is a Christian herbalist, which is a rarity,” Duke said.

Another teacher who has shaped Duke studies is Darryl Patton, learned from “the great, most respected southern herbalist of our time—Tommy Bass. He has taught me southern folk herbalism: how to use my native plants. Parker has taught me about plants that are scientifically proven to do certain things. Bass has taught me southern folk which is very dear to my heart.”

Duke’s home-based workshop is staffed by her husband Bud and their children. Her children are paid for their work.

“My husband is my number one fan. He doesn’t complain when he comes home, and there isn’t a home-cooked meal on the table. He encourages me. He helps with the kids and the housework too. He can keep the house cleaner than me,” Duke said.

Her workshop smells of elderberry and is stocked with jars, tureens, and other tools of her trade.

Elderberry syrup is one of Weeds N Roots Herbals’ best sellers, especially during cold and flu season. Incidentally, it is good on biscuits too, according to Duke’s children. DeAnn’s elderberry syrup does not contain honey, so anyone, including infants, can take it. If you are not allowed to have sugar in your diet, DeAnn offers a sugar-free option.

“When I drive, I don’t see the road or buildings lining the road, I see plants. When I’m driving and point out a plant to my daughter, she says all she sees is green. I also look at plants in movies. My family and I just watched Smokey and the Bandit, and I found myself marveling at the goldenrod lining the roads in the movie,” she said.

Despite her excitement about her accomplishments, Duke acknowledges that her sense of loss remains. 

“It changes you when you lose someone,” she said. “When Eli died, I needed something to occupy my mind. Even though I had my kids, I still needed something to fill the space in my life left by Eli. Nothing will ever fill that space, but studying herbs allowed me in a small way to begin to heal. Of course, my family supported me, we supported each other. We have clung tightly to each other and have begun to go in a good direction, a small part of which is the herbal supplement company. It feels good to bless others with what we do.”

Weeds N Roots Herbals are found at these locations:

Blount Springs Trading Company (Elderberry Syrup and Fire Cider)

Chambers Farm & Garden Supply

Herbs, Organics & More

Mann’s Home & Garden Shop

O-Baby & Mommy 2 (Elderberry Teething Oil)

To learn more about Weeds N Roots Herbals and the products offered, visit the following sites:

facebook.com/weedsnroots

weedsnrootsherbals.com.