Cary Apothecary sells local, non-toxic products inspired by the owner’s journey with Lyme disease

Tami Moore-Kedzie organizes items for sale at her new business, Cary Apothecary.
Gregory Shaver/Shaw Media

When Cary resident Tami Moore-Kedzie was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, she was bedridden for about a year and came up with the idea of ​​opening her own apothecary business.

“I thought if I ever get better, I would like to give people some kind of resource where they can just learn that there are other things that you can incorporate into your life that might help you and that aren’t toxic if you feel stuck somewhere,” she said.

Cary Apothecary, located at 395 Cary Algonquin Road, opened last week. The shop sells locally sourced gifts and items, such as soy wax candles from Crystal Lake and honey from Woodstock. Other products include gemstone jewelry, coffee, bath bombs, essential oils, customizable items and chemical-free botanical insect repellent.

“They’re focused on overall wellness,” said Moore-Kedzie, a special education teacher at William Fremd High School in Palatine. “Everything is nontoxic and has a purpose behind it.”

Moore-Kedzie began delving into the world of natural and holistic medicine after much trial and error with traditional treatments for her Lyme disease. The disease is a bacterial infection caused by infected ticks that can be treated with antibiotics if caught early. For Moore-Kedzie, the disease spread throughout her body and joints before it was properly diagnosed.

“I couldn’t tell if I was sick because of the disease or because of the medication,” she said.

Her friend Katie Collins said she remembers Moore-Kedzie struggling for months with misdiagnoses, treatments and medication trials when she was first diagnosed with Lyme disease. She has since cut out sugar and become more mindful of what she puts in and on her body.

“I really think what got her out of that jam was her natural approach, and that’s what she’s been doing ever since,” Collins said.

The store is a representation of Moore-Kedzie’s holistic journey and creative side with fun gifts, said lifelong friend Sarah Schnabel.

“She always takes on challenges and turns them into something positive,” she said. “I think this store is a really beautiful demonstration of how she’s been able to overcome her health issues and focus her energy in a really beautiful way.”

All of Cary Apothecary’s products have been personally tried by Moore-Kedzie, making her knowledgeable and intentional with her products, Collins said.

“She is the most selfless, caring, generous person I have ever met,” Collins said. “It will come as no surprise to anyone that she is opening a store to help others live a healthy, non-toxic lifestyle.”

Moore-Kedzie describes the store as a “family project” with equal efforts from her parents, husband and children who helped paint and decorate.

“I hope it’s a breath of fresh air for people,” she said. “I want people to be able to come and find something that they can easily incorporate into their daily lives and that will benefit them.”