Gail MacEachern is one of the few herb specialists in Bowling Green. She works at Great Earth Vitamins on Campbell Lane. Photo by Clinton Lewis

Gail MacEachern has always had an interest in health.   I moved here from California, she said. I think my interest in health came from growing up in an environment where its health conscious and athletic.   Tired of being a preschool teacher, MacEachern parlayed her love for well-being into a family business with her father, Jack, and her brother, Glenn. She and her father own and operate Great Earth Vitamins on Campbell Lane while her brother runs another branch of the store at Cool Springs Galleria in Franklin, Tenn. They have been in business with the national franchise for a little more than four years.   I dont consider myself an expert, she said. But I know a lot.   MacEacherns knowledge didnt come naturally. She took 300 hours of training 30 days for 10 hours a day to get the skinny on herbs and vitamins for various ailments, including weight loss, stress relief, feminine issues and more.   I had it all in California before I came here. We had to learn the A to Z of what a multiple (vitamin) is and what it contains, flavors, synthetic versus natural, she said. Great Earth offered the greatest education.   By the time I was done, I had to learn what all these herbs were good for, said MacEachern, pointing at shelves filled with herbs and homeopathic items.   Despite the fact that she knows her products inside out, MacEachern stresses shes not a doctor.   I dont cure, prescribe or diagnose, she said. I can recommend.   As customers come into her store, MacEachern smiles and greets each of them by name. The trust they exhibit in MacEacherns recommendations is something for which she has worked hard.   I have to ask you five or six questions personal questions, she said of the ways she determines if certain herbs or vitamins may affect a customers health if they are taking certain medicines or have conditions.   Its all part of MacEacherns mission.   I have an interest in educating Bowling Green and making people more health conscious, she said. We work with (The Medical Centers) Health and Wellness Center, the 10K Classic and multiple health fairs at schools. I enjoy it.