Using plants as medicine is an ancient tradition.  All cultures and countries have employed plants or herbs as part of their healing medicinal systems.  In North American there has been a rich tradition of herbalism; the native people shared their knowledge of local plants with the European people who settled here.  The Europeans brought their plant traditions to this country, planting seeds from their medicinal gardens at home. In this country many of our familiar medicinal plants are natives of the European continent. During the 19^th and 20^th centuries the Eclectic and Homeopathic systems of Medicine were plant-based systems. Today, we draw from a large selection of plants representing many cultures such as the Ayervedic and Chinese  as well as the American and European Herbal Traditions.  Because of our diversity of nationalities in the USA we have an opportunity to learn from a wide variety of traditions.  I work in the Western Herbal Tradition which means I use plants from American and European herbalism with an emphasis on plants that grow in our local region.

 

How Herbs Work

Herbal plants work in the body in two different ways.  They work most effectively as tonics.  Tonics are preparations that help the body or a particular body system by their nutritional qualities. Plants are filled with vitamins and minerals, most medicinal plants have large amounts of certain vitamins and minerals.

 Herbal plants also work by addressing certain symptoms which is similar in the way pharmaceutical drugs work in the body.

 

Marshmallow Root works as a tonic to the respiratory, digestion and the urinary systems.  It is called a demulcent herb.  Demulcents soothe and protect irritated or inflamed skin. They are very rich in nutrients.  Slippery Elm Bark, another herbal demulcent, has a tradition of being used as a food for invalids that cannot digest regular food.

 

Dandelion Leaf is one of nature’s diuretics.  It is also filled with nutrients especially potassium, which it replaces in the body as it works to help increase the body’s natural elimination processes.

 

Echinacea, which is native to our continent works with the immune system. Most people have heard of this wonderful plant and grow it in their gardens. Echinacea helps our immune system create more white blood cells, enabling it to work harder in fighting off infection.  This action helps the body stay strong so that it is less likely to succumb to occasional colds and flues. 

 

Bringing the Body into Balance

I became interested in herbs because of the positive effects they have on the body.  They help the body return to its natural balanced state of health.  Herbal medicine can be very effective in situations where the body is not yet “sick”, but off balance and in need of help. Most people have an innate sense of when something is not right with their health. Herbal Medicine is most effective at this time, giving the body that added boost to return to optimal health.

 

Herbal Consultation

An Herbal Consultation begins with an informational form detailing your diet and health concerns.  Because the form requires times to complete, I like to mail or email the form before the first visit.  You may also fill it out before the consultation by coming in at least 15 minutes early.

During the first visit we decide together what herbs and foods would be appropriate for your health concerns and what herbal preparations would fit into your lifestyle.

 

 The first meeting is 1 &1/2 hours long.  I like to schedule a follow up visit in one month.  The price for the first visit is $50.00 and follow up visits are $40.00.  The first visit is longer because many people are unfamiliar with herbal preparation and I go over the correct methods of preparing the herbal remedies.

 

Using herbal preparations require time.  I think of preparing the herbs in the same way I think of preparing wholesome foods to eat. Many herbal preparations are highly nutritious.  Many ordinary foods and spices are really herbs that have been used throughout history to correct many health imbalances.

 

 My most popular herbal tea formula: “Nutri- Tea” consists of highly nutritious plants. When made into an infusion             (medicinal tea) it is an excellent way to assimilate vitamins and minerals for that extra boost that our bodies need.  I also have

a nutritional tea specifically for women seeking a healthful supplement to boost their calcium amounts.  I believe that infusions are tolerated better by the body than calcium pills.

 

I carry most of the herbs and herbal formulas I recommend.  I make individual herbal mixtures for my clients.  I carry Herbalist and Alchemist Tinctures and can order any type of herbal product.   I carry high quality organic herbs from companies that I consider ethical and safe.