By Tré Baity, Toxic Freedom
Four years ago, I was in heart failure, kidney failure and liver failure. Doctors had me on 22 prescriptions, but it wasn’t the drugs that saved me. It was the herbs. Nature didn’t just cover my symptoms; it helped my body rebuild. That’s why I write this today, because I know too many of our neighbors are suffering not only from illness, but from the side effects of medications that sometimes create new problems.
Now, let me be clear; we are not saying “stop taking your prescriptions.” What I am saying is this: education and nature are the keys to true healing. And, as a community, we can learn from one another and grow stronger together.
Most of what we know about medicine started with plants. Aspirin came from willow bark. Heart medicine from foxglove. Nature was the blueprint. Labs simply copied it.
And here in Destin, that blueprint is under our feet.
Our beaches are famous for their sugar-white sand. That sand is almost pure quartz crystal, carried here over millions of years from the Appalachian Mountains. Quartz is so unique, it powers our watches and electronics. Walking barefoot on our beaches isn’t just calming, it’s a grounding reminder of the natural energy beneath us. Some studies even suggest “grounding” might help reduce stress and improve sleep; tons of research is steadily being conducted on this fact.
Our plants hold their own wisdom. Yaupon Holly, a native evergreen, is the only caffeinated plant in North America. Long before energy drinks, tribes brewed its leaves for stamina, focus and purification rituals. It still grows quietly in our neighborhoods today.
This isn’t trivia, it’s empowerment. When you know where true health begins, you start to see Destin differently. The sand, the trees, the plants—they’re not background scenery; they’re part of the story of resilience.
At Toxic Freedom, we source herbs from small, credible farms and craft blends that support your body instead of silencing it. We’re here to educate, not just provide products. Because knowledge is what turns quick fixes into lasting strength.
Destin isn’t just a vacation town, it’s our home. And when we remember the wisdom in our land and in each other, we can truly make Destin healthy again.
“Clean Living, Delivered”
