Why Work with an Herbalist?

Herbalism is an empowering skill. Often, when folks pick up their first book on herbal medicine, or go on their first medicinal plant walk it can be like opening a treasure box. Wow, these plants have been around me this whole time and I never knew they could be healing!

Or, if we start buying prepared tinctures and teas and feel noticeable improvement and ease of symptoms it can be amazing. 

I love teaching folks to make medicine, recognize the wild medicine, and formulate for their own health needs. I love seeing folks empowered to use nervines, digestive tonics, and cold and flu formulas to improve their quality of life. It is amazing to see the excitement as they learn to navigate the world of herbal medicine that is truly their ancestral heritage.

But then I will inevitably get questions like, “what herbs are good for endometriosis?”, or “do you have a formula for IBS?”. 

My answers to the above questions are… it depends, and no.

Endometriosis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome are complicated and chronic conditions. Yes, herbs can help with both of these, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution here. With chronic health conditions there is a whole person picture to assess. And a well-thought-out herbal plan will take into account not only the current symptoms, but the health history of the person, any medications they are taking, their diet and lifestyle, and what they can practically take on at this point in their health journey.
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In these situations, working with a trained clinical herbalist can be very helpful in determining practical and effective strategies for working on your health goals.

In addition, some folks find that they are better able to stick with a plan over the long run when they know someone will be checking in on them, offering encouragement and feedback, and helping to adjust things along the way. For some folks, a couple meetings is all they need to get started on a plan and take over from there. For others, checking in regularly helps them stay on track and stay motivated. It can also be helpful to have the continued support of someone who sees how hard you have worked and how far you have come. 

Ultimately, an herbalist is just someone in your corner, offering advise on how to use the plant medicine to meet your wellness goals, yes, but they can't do the work for you. Just like the herbs are here to nudge us forward, clinical herbalists too offer some gentle nudges in the form of support, education, resources, herbal formulas, dietary suggestion, and encouragement. However, you are always in control and it is important that any changes you make feel good to you, as well as doable within your lifestyle and present circumstances. Some folks need to go slowly, easing into a program. Others are ready to jump in with both feet and make some big changes. Success over time depends on making changes that can be sustained over time. It's not about perfection, but improvement. 

If you are ready to start working with a clinical herbalist to meet your wellness goals, I am currently seeing new clients. All consultations are online. Although I specialize in working with perimenopause, I am able to work with just about anyone. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, click the button below.

Herbal Consultations