What does it take to build a thriving herbal business rooted in purpose, people, and plants? For Sarah Josey, the answer has been a mix of biochemistry, folk wisdom, motherhood, and an unwavering commitment to making herbalism accessible to everyone.
I had the joy of sitting down with Sarah—clinical herbalist, teacher, and owner of Golden Poppy Apothecary in Fort Collins, Colorado—for a heart-filled conversation about her path into herbalism, what it’s like to run a woman-led herbal business, and the power of staying grounded in the roots of this work.
Whether you're just beginning your herbal journey or are dreaming of opening your own apothecary one day, this conversation offers wisdom, honesty, and serious inspiration.
Here is the episode for those who would like to listen- Herbalism for the People: Golden Poppy Apothecary
From Biochemistry to Botanicals
Sarah didn’t grow up with herbalism on her radar. She was a science-minded student studying biochemistry at Colorado State University, originally dreaming of becoming a marine biologist. But a single botany class changed everything.
“I just really fell in love with the chemistry of plants,” Sarah shared. That curiosity eventually led her to herbalism—and ultimately to dropping out of traditional college and enrolling in what was then the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism, founded by Paul Bergner (now known as the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism).
From the very first day of herb school, she knew she’d found her path.
The Magic of Herb School
Ask any herbalist, and you’ll hear a similar refrain: herb school is magical.
For Sarah, the experience was transformational not only because of the content—vitalist herbalism, plant chemistry, and holistic frameworks—but also because of the community. Unlike traditional college, herb school created a space of deep connection. Students spent all their time learning, growing, and healing side by side.
Building Golden Poppy Apothecary
After graduating in 2011, Sarah had a clear vision: to work with clients in a clinical setting—but she also understood that many people didn’t even know what an herbalist was.
So she got creative. She began by making herbal products and selling them at farmers markets, then opened Golden Poppy storefront to serve as a physical entry point into herbalism for the public.
“I wanted people to walk in, ask questions, and discover what this was all about,” she said.
Since then, Golden Poppy has grown into a thriving apothecary with 14 staff members, all women, all working part-time in rhythm with their lives. It’s not just a business—it’s a modern-day village.
Herbalism That Meets People Where They Are
Sarah’s approach to herbalism is beautifully grounded and deeply accessible. While she’s trained in complex herbal systems and global traditions, she’s always kept one foot in the practical reality of everyday people.
“There are herbalists for herbalists—and then there are herbalists for the general public,” she explained. “I love working with people who are just beginning.”
That means helping folks understand basic nutrition, sleep, hydration, and lifestyle support—all foundational aspects of healing that are often overlooked. It also means creating products in response to real-life needs. Many of Golden Poppy’s teas and tinctures were formulated after customers repeatedly came in asking for support with things like sleep, digestion, and stress.
Honoring Ancestral and Global Traditions
Over the years, Sarah’s deepened her practice by studying herbal traditions beyond the Western model she was trained in. She’s particularly inspired by Middle Eastern, Greek and Indigenous healing systems, as well as folk traditions—the “grandma medicine” passed down through kitchens and storytelling.
“I love bringing people back to the idea that herbalism doesn’t have to be complicated,” she said.
On Motherhood and the Modern Village
One of the most beautiful aspects of Golden Poppy is how family-friendly it is. Many of Sarah’s staff are mothers, and the apothecary has welcomed nine babies over the years. From baby-wearing behind the counter to kids helping sweep floors, the store has become a living, breathing example of a village-style model of work.
“When there’s a school holiday, the kids just come to work,” Sarah shared. “We’re constantly in communication, supporting one another. It’s a rhythm that flows.”
This isn’t just logistics—it’s an intentional act of care. When Sarah started her business, she dreamed of a place where working parents wouldn’t have to choose between showing up for their children and showing up for their work. And that’s exactly what she’s created.
Sacred Fertility, Postpartum, and the Healing Arc
In addition to her work at Golden Poppy, Sarah has also been trained as a sacred fertility counselor through the Sacred Living Movement. While she doesn’t currently teach those classes, the wisdom from that training deeply informed her own pregnancy and postpartum journey.
She leaned heavily on nutrient-rich herbs like nettle, raspberry leaf and oat straw throughout pregnancy and into postpartum—especially for tissue healing, lactation, and emotional support.
Her favorite support for morning sickness? Ginger People chews. Simple, food-based, and effective.
She emphasized that the sacredness of fertility doesn’t have to get lost in the clinical process. Taking time to ground, reconnect with your partner, and engage in creative, joyful rituals can help preserve that sacred spark.
What’s Next for Golden Poppy?
After the wild ups and downs of the pandemic years, Sarah is grateful to be in a steady, grounded season.
“We’re in coast mode,” she smiled. “And that feels really good.”
Golden Poppy continues to offer community classes, inviting guest teachers to share on everything from herbal heart medicine to ancestral crafts like basket weaving and cordage. Sarah is especially excited about weaving more ancestral skills and bioregional practices into the apothecary’s offerings.
“Even if it’s not strictly herbalism, it’s still part of the village,” she said.
Listen to the full episode here- Herbalism for the People: Golden Poppy Apothecary
🌿 Want to Visit Golden Poppy?
You can learn more and shop online at goldenpoppyherbs.com, or stop in if you’re ever in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Follow their work on Instagram: @goldenpoppyapothecary
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