You won`t find goat`s rue, (which, as everybody knows, prevents rheumatism when left overnight in one`s shoes) at your local pharmacy. Likewise palm tree resin, (which, when burned, entices errant lovers to return), or essence of dandelion (which alleviates grief and tension).
But you will find these-plus oil of trumpet vine and tiger lily, powdered frankincense and snake root, chunks of rose quartz to improve your love life and amethyst to foster sobriety, at Lombard`s Inner Eye.
The Inner Eye deals in the metaphysical, according to Linda Potterville, who has run the shop since 1989 with her husband, Bruce Bartlett.
”The main theme of our store is self-improvement. All the things we carry are tools you can use to improve your life, your health and improve your mind,” Potterville said.
Bookshelves at the Inner Eye are categorized into sections pertaining to eating disorders, financial well-being, drug addiction, angels, plant alchemy, aromatherapy, astrology, crystals and wholistic medicine.
”Everything we have in book form, we can also get on tape,” Potterville said.
The store is also stocked with handcrafted jewelery, tarot cards and a high-tech goggle-and-headphone device used to help a stressed-out brain relax and produce alpha waves.
”I do get skeptics in the store,” Potterville said. ”I tell them you don`t have to believe in any of this. If something doesn`t work for them, they shouldn`t use it.
”When we opened, I didn`t know if people would think we were into witchcraft and break our windows,” she said. ”I explain to people that we don`t carry anything evil. We don`t carry poisonous things or things like bat blood or books on devil worship. I just believe a lot of people are really trying to find new ways to deal with their problems, whether it`s drugs or alcohol or the economy. I think of us as a new age book store, and a lot more,” she said.
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The Inner Eye, Crescent Boulevard at St. Charles Road in Lombard, is open 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. 708-691-8685.
