Managing Seasonal Health at Haylee’s Healing Hive

Haylee Long is the owner of Haylee’s Healing Hive, an herbal shop located on the Neosho, Missouri, square. While the business itself has been open for about a year and a half, her connection to herbal wellness spans generations.

Growing up, visits to Rose’s Herbal Garden in Neosho, owned by longtime herbalist Rose Rickard, were routine, especially during allergy season and colder months when immune support became a priority. Her family used herbs alongside traditional medicine, not instead of it.

“We’ve always just used it as another resource, not instead of traditional medicine, but more to help boost naturally before we had to go to antibiotics and prescriptions,” Haylee said.

That early exposure eventually shaped her career path.  

“I’ve always loved herbs,” she said. “Ever since I was very little, I would go to school talking about herbs to my friends. I told everybody I wanted to work at Rose’s.”

Haylee said she attended Rose’s herbal classes at a young age, as early as five years old, and later learned alongside her mother, who also worked there.

When she was 17, Haylee got a job at Rose’s Herbal Garden, where she worked for about five years. Rose became a mentor, teaching her not only about herbs but about listening to people and understanding why they were seeking support.

When Rose decided to retire and close the shop, Haylee said she knew her next step.

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“She told me she was going to retire, and I thought, this is my time. I’m going to do everything I can to just go for it.”

Some customers come in knowing exactly what they’re looking for, while others arrive looking for guidance on where to begin. Haylee said she enjoys getting to know her customers’ priorities and lifestyles and helping them find options that fit their routines.

Haylee offers products in several forms, including capsules, teas, bulk herbs and tinctures. Tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts made by soaking herbs in alcohol or glycerin for 30 to 60 days and are taken by the dropper.  

“Your body doesn’t have to work as hard to break it down,” Haylee said. “Some people feel like it works quicker.”

Others prefer capsules for convenience and consistency.  

“If you don’t like the taste of a tincture or you’re not a tea drinker, go with a capsule,” she said. “The most important thing is consistency. You don’t want to buy something you’re not going to use.

“Medications are more of a forceful way to get your body to do something. Herbs really help balance the body and bring it back into homeostasis.”

During the winter months, she said many customers come in looking for ways to support their immune systems.  

“There are so many options. Things like elderberry or vitamin D3 can help assist your body to naturally do what it needs to do to expel a virus or cold.”

She emphasized there is no one approach that works for everyone.  

“Everybody is different,” she said. “Some people need more immune support. Some people may need more mood support. It really varies.”

She added that many of the herbs she carries can be used across a wide age range, from children to older adults, depending on form and dosage. Liquid extracts and gummies are often easier for children or people who have difficulty swallowing capsules.  

“It really depends on the person,” Haylee said. “We can usually find an option that fits where they are.”

Elderberry is one herb she frequently recommends.  

“It’s very powerful,” Long said. “It’s high in antioxidants, really good for your immune system, and it may shorten symptoms.”

Vitamin D3 is another common supplement, particularly in winter.  

“It can also be really helpful for you to support mood,” she said.

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Education is a priority for Haylee. She hosts occasional herbal classes and keeps a research and learning corner stocked with books where customers can sit, read and ask questions without feeling rushed.  

“I want people to feel comfortable asking questions,” Haylee said. “Sometimes they just want to understand what they’re taking or why.”

The setup reflects how she learned herself, through classes, conversation and time spent around herbs rather than quick answers. Haylee said the goal is not to overwhelm people but to help them feel informed enough to decide what fits into their routine.

She also offers ZYTO scans, a body scan that reads galvanic skin response through the fingertips and suggests areas of stress or imbalance in the body. The scan takes about 10 minutes and is often used by people who feel unsure about where to begin. After the scan, customers leave with a packet of information that outlines the scan’s findings, along with suggested areas of support.  

“Herbal wellness can be overwhelming,” Haylee said. “This gives people a place to start.”

Haylee recently added an oxygen bar to the shop, which she said some customers use for sinus pressure, relaxation or mental clarity. The sessions combine concentrated oxygen with essential oils and are often used during allergy season.  

“It’s something you can leave feeling a difference from,” Haylee said. “It offers quicker relief.”

From childhood visits to running her own shop, Haylee’s work with herbs has come full circle.