Holland & Barrett

Holland at Barrett at Queen Street is a a very central location, in Queen Street. The staff are always very happy to help and knowledgeable (as Holland and Barrett sell everything from frozen pizzas to gym supplements, their training sessions must be immense).
This branch is one of my favourites as it is so central, though it is a little cramped in places and not as ‘upmarket’ looking as the one in Buchanan Galleries. I like to pop in when they have special offers such as the famous 1p sale, but also it is great for summer days when you want special ice cream as they sell small tubs of dairy free ice cream which are lovely for a picnic on Glasgow Green or in George Square.

This is a pretty standard Holland & Barrett, handy if you’re in the bottom end of town.
It’s not the most modern of shops, but the layout is simple and it’s easy to find what you’re looking for and head straight back out again.
They have a good range of Dr Organic skin care, and staff are quick to tell you if there are offers on.
There are only 2 tills, so queues can build up, particularly when they only have one open, which is pretty tedious, particularly if there’s another member of staff floating about the shop. I get the feeling that this branch runs on minimal staff.

Concise and orderly, if you’re looking for chain supplies of herbs and vits, hit it up.
The staff in this branch were super helpful when giving me skin advice. I’ve been plagued with mild adult acne for a few years now (aye I know, kick in the pants) and simply cannot be bothered with antibiotics anymore!
Doctors are great, but sometimes it’s good to get a full view of the spectrum. I got some skin tablets out of here and, along with vitamins, the situation is improving. I can’t actually believe these wee HRI tablets are working much like the Doc’s tablets did, in such a short space of time as well.
Always go to the Doc to get things checked out and I’m not going to start shouting about finding a miracle cure because they’re not elixer, but people often discredit the power of vitamins and minerals on your overall health. Might be psychosomatic but I see an improvement in my skin, and there’s plenty in here to keep you in possible better shape. Don’t knock herbal remedies before you try ‘em!

I can say two words about Holland and Barrett, Manuka Honey! Yeah this is the place where I discovered this cool stuff. This is a sort of honey only made in New Zealand, only by one type of bee, on the fungus that grows on tea trees. Quite a mouthful! BUt it is said to clear you of all sorts of things. I would swear by it.
Not only this, other herbal and natural lovelies are tea tree deoderant without any aluminium, which believe it or not is harmful. and tea tree toothpaste and mouthwash without all the ordinary chemicals in it.
Right, Manuka honey comes in strenghs but for a normal jar size it will come in at around £10 but there is usually a deal on for 3 for 2.

As much as I hate to admit it, I am a complete hypochondriac, if I get a headache I automatically assume it’s worst case scenario. I’m always nipping in here for vitamins and other health foods to keep in tip top health. Yeah, most probably a placebo effect but that’s good enough for me.
As well as vitamins you can also buy beauty products and toothpaste all made with natural ingredients.
They also usually have deals on, like buy one get one free or buy one get one half price, so I usually get pretty carried away.
The dried fruit selection is delicious, especially the dried cranberries and yoghurt coated raisins. As Gavin has already pointed out the Manuka Honey is amazing and there are very few places you can get it.

An entire shop devoted to the placebo effect, the vast majority of Holland and Barret’s vitamin pills and health foods will almost certainly do your health little or no good at all, but they do at least make you think you’re being more healthy, which in turn will probably improve the way you feel anyway.
Top of the list here is the manuka honey, which seems to genuinely work if you have a sore throat.