There are many reasons to find oneself in the vicinity of 18th and Ashland in Pilsen—from checking out the public art on exterior walls and doors, to having a delicious meal or tasty treat at one of the many restaurants, or shopping for Mexican-themed decor for your home.
Another good reason to visit the area is to check out the amazing collection of medicinal herbs at Centro Botánico Guadalupano. At this store, there are over 150 kinds of loose-leaf herbs available for purchase by the bag, and even more herbs sold pre-mixed and pre-packaged. It might be one of, if not the largest, collection of carefully curated and beautifully displayed medicinal herbs to be found on the South Side.
Centro Botánico Guadalupano has two locations; one on 18th Street and another on 26th Street, with a third, associated location on 53rd and Kedzie. Co-founder and co-owner Juan Santoyo shared that he once had five locations; he and his late wife, Avelina Santoyo, opened the 18th street store in 1992, making it one of Chicago’s oldest continuously operating botánicas.
The couple opened a second store a year later, around 26th and Kostner, which was eventually moved to its current location when the Santoyos purchased the building.
Manager of the Pilsen store, Esai Sarco, has been working for this family-owned business for twenty-two years. His maternal grandmother practiced herbal medicine in Mexico, so he was familiar with many of the products and methods. “Mexican communities seek alternative and natural medicines for everything from managing stress to cancer,” he explained.
The store sees about 150-200 people per week on average, he said, but that increases around the holidays as people come to visit Chicago relatives. Store customers come from various religions and practices. “We respect and welcome everyone,” said Mr. Santoyo.
One will not only find herbs and herbal products used for holistic wellness, but also a huge selection of candles, soaps, and items associated with Catholicism, Santeria, and other religious practices. “We didn’t begin with selling esoteric items, but customers were looking for these items, so we began to carry them,” said Santoyo.
The larger-than-life statue of La Santa Muerte seated on a throne in the middle of the store is interestingly not immediately noticeable due to the strategic placement of a display case. While the presence of a giant skeleton statue outside of October and November may be off-putting to those unfamiliar, Sarco explained that the statue is dressed in white because that color symbolizes “paz, puresa y tranquilidad” (peace, purity, and tranquility).
Noemi Sarco is a certified health service worker and certified medical assistant. She is co-manager of the 26th Street store with her father, Juan Sarco, and co-owner of both stores. Her husband manages the Pilsen store. She often introduces customers to herbal remedies.
“Most of the people who come here are people who don’t have access to insurance, we also have people who do have medical insurance but are seeking something alternative,” said Noemi. “They don’t want any secondary effects that may happen with medicine that’s from the pharmacy or the doctor.”. She warned that, “herbs could also have [a] secondary effect to the body… so we do need to ask the customer some questions.”
Noemi spent her youth around her parent’s stores since they opened, particularly at the Little Village store her mother managed until her passing in 2020. Many of her mother’s customers continued to make their purchases at that store. In fact, there are many customers whose families have been shopping there for generations.
During my visit, several customers entered, and with permission from Noemi, I chatted briefly with a customer named Sylvia. “This is something that was introduced to me by my mother. I grew up here on 26th Street, my mom used to bring me here when I was younger, and now I bring my husband,” Sylvia said.
Sylvia visits the shops for herbs to treat headaches and the flu, and for incense to cleanse the air (and vibes) in her home.
Chamomile is very popular but “because of the current political situation we’re having issues with importing chamomile,” said Noemi.
Also because of the political climate, many customers are afraid to leave home for fear of being stopped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “I’ve had customers who come in who say, ‘I’m here for a friend or relative because they’re afraid to come out[side].”
“Before Biden left, we had a lot of Venezuelans come in, more here on 26th street… we [also] have more of the African-American community. I’ve noticed a lot of young people coming in now… instead of, ya know, just people who are thirty and up… before when my mom was here, I would only see people who were like in their mid forties up to like people who were eighty or older.”
COVID did not make them shut down. “We were very blessed,” said Noemi, though she has seen a rise in customers with mental health issues since the pandemic. Noemi can recommend herbal teas but she also suggests her clients seek the help of a medical professional like a doctor, therapist, or psychiatrist, sometimes offering them the name of an organization where they can obtain services.
Centro Botánico El Guadalupano
1538 W 18th St. Monday–Saturday, 9am–7pm; Sundays, 10am–5pm. (312) 226-0106
4224 W 26th St. Monday–Saturday, 10am–7pm; Sundays, 10am–7pm. (773) 542-8121