Article: Ritual remedies: quasi-religious botanica pharmacies thriving in L.A. (Los Angeles)

The young woman leaving the Nina Religion botanica in Los Angeles Mid-City district is clutching a small paper bag. In a hurried manner, Elena Garcia explains in Spanish that she has been especially nervous lately.

"I bought some herbs to make a tea," says Garcia. "It calms my nerves."

In Huntington Park's retail district, Juan Reynoso has just finished a counseling session at El Templo del Indio Amazonico with the botanica's spiritual advisor, Mirashoura Shindoy Mutumbajoy, who is wearing a feathered hat, a multi-colored woven shirt and a thick white feather through his nose.

"I came to see El Indio Amazonico because my wife left me, and she took my ...

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