Originally from Philadelphia, Nikkia Chavis moved to Milledgeville in 2022 to share her knowledge and passion for alternative medicine with a smaller community.
“Everybody has been so warm and welcoming … the overall response is that of appreciation. People really appreciate us being here because otherwise, they would have to travel all the way to Macon or Atlanta, so being more local is very convenient for people who are more health conscious," she said.
Chavis and her husband are both native inner-city kids who have found solace in a slower, laidback, and relaxing lifestyle.
Her enthusiasm for alternative herbal medicine stems from the loss of many family members and friends to various illnesses over the years.
“I found that many of the illnesses they suffered from were preventable or at least treatable with alternative medicines such as herbs,” Chavis explained.
She names her husband as the main incentive for her practice. He suffers from type 2 diabetes which he was able to control with diet and lifestyle changes, including herbalism.
“That was my main catalyst to go and get my certifications in herbalism. I myself for years suffered from anemia, and I was also able to heal myself with herbs as well," she said.
Chavis opened her store, Aura Bliss, in October 2023 in downtown Milledgeville, where anyone can ask questions and receive suggestions for their health journeys.
Chavis and her husband have been busy building inventory with a new business, but they hope to get involved in the community.
“We would love to get involved more. I don’t know if there is necessarily a stigma. Still, there is an apprehension among people who are a little concerned with herbs, so I think it would be helpful if we did some form of light education on safer herbs that people can take every day to take away some of the anticipations,” Chavis said.
Chavis wants to clear some misconceptions surrounding herbalism and says that most herbs are actually just foods, like stinging nettle, which is much like spinach and very harmless.
Looking forward, the herbalist would like to introduce other forms of healing that would benefit people, such as sound healing. Her long-term ambitions are to spread her knowledge to other less accessible communities.
“My main goal is to become sort of a flagship,” Chavis said. “A store that people a generation from now are sending their grandchildren to, and it’s just a neighborhood gem. I also see possible expansion into other cities … but my main goal is to be a stronghold of health in Milledgeville.”