Helios homeopathic pharmacy and clinic on Camden Road is one of our town’s most successful businesses. Here its founder John Morgan tells Eileen Leahy about its fascinating history and why its mission has always been to provide its customers with expert holistic guidance…
Camden Road is one of Tunbridge Wells’ most eclectic and everchanging roads, but one firm with a constant presence there is Helios homeopathic pharmacy, which has been serving its natural remedies to its loyal, constantly growing customer base since it first opened in 1986.
One of only four specialist homeopathic pharmacies in the UK, it has been a huge success story, helping guide and educate people both locally, nationally, and indeed all over the world, on their alternative health journeys.
In brief, homeopathy is a system of medicine developed in the18th century by Dr Samuel Hahnemann, which uses natural substances sourced mainly from minerals and plants, to create effective, bespoke remedies to stimulate the body’s natural healing ability.
Over the next few months we will be running a series of features with Helios founder John Morgan in order to bring readers a broader explanation of what the essence of Helios is all about, but before we do that we sat down with him to discuss the history of the business and discover more about homeopathic medicine…
“We were originally located in the building just opposite,” explains John when we meet in one of his consulting rooms at Helios HQ, located at 89-97 Camden Road.
“But after a few years of trading it was clear we needed a bigger premises and so we moved to this building in 1991.”
John says that since he and his wife Maya opened the doors to Helios, which he describes as a ‘holistic centre’, three decades ago business has gone from strength to strength.
“When we registered as a pharmacy we had a lot of support from professional bodies in the UK and because things were really growing in the homeopathic world there was definitely space for something new. It has grown from day one and hasn’t really stopped.”
John adds that this was especially evident during the Covid period when people couldn’t get hold of certain things such as Vitamin C and Vitamin D.
“Our staff worked their socks off during that time but I am so glad we were able to support people in so many ways. But no matter how busy we get the quality of our remedies has always been of utmost importance.”
John’s own homeopathic journey started when he was at university training to be a pharmacist.
“During my degree I looked at various alternative health therapies including herbalism. Then I came across homeopathy and really fell in love with it and the philosophy of creating a permanent healing model for optimum health.”
He goes on to explain the key pillar of homeopathy is to achieve the ‘ideal state of being free from disease on all levels’.
“It is a very high ideal but one which we strive towards and are passionate about. Homeopathy works with nature and with the powers of the mind and body to heal itself. Homeopathic remedies have the ability to stimulate the process of self-healing. It is a natural, gentle and effective system of medicine that works on the principle that ‘like cures like’.
“We launched Helios with around 50 remedies and now we have over three and a half thousand,” smiles John who says he has also seen his team of just five staff expand to 80 over the years.
Helios has also quadrupled in size and is now spread over four storeys. Boasting its distinctive royal blue and gold branding, the shop now comprises a sizeable in-house homeopathic pharmacy and a well-stocked specialist retail space which sells its own eponymous remedies as well as other known holistic brands such as Weleda, Viridian, A.Vogal and Australian Bush Flower Essences to name a few. Attached to the pharmacy is a specialist clinic where homeopathic practitioners can carry out face-to-face appointments. Helios also has a pharmacy in London’s Covent Garden on New Row, which is equally as successful, exporting products all over the globe.
As well as offering a bespoke service Helios produces a range of over-the-counter remedies, natural plant-based creams and specialist homeopathic kits, covering a wide range of common complaints and first aid situations for all the family. There are even remedies and products for your pets! Homeopathy can be used on its own or alongside conventional medicines, as they work in different ways.
“We can also prescribe remedies for things that come and go like coughs and colds or sports injuries as well as pregnancy. In fact, this is when a lot of people start their journey with us and they go on to adopt homeopathic medicines for their children.”
John adds that they also have a new range of products launching later this month which will be unveiled at an industry event at Excel in London.
So, whether it’s an over the counter conversation, a chat over the phone or an in-depth consultation, the professionals at Helios have you covered.
“People go on a journey with us and that’s a great feeling. We are here for each stage of life and ultimately want to get homeopathy to as many people as we can. That’s been our aim from day one and always will be because we know the immense healing benefits that it brings.”
