What is herbalism?
Herbalism is the practice of taking herbs (plants and other natural substances) to address health concerns or prevent illness. Most people have practiced herbal medicine by taking chamomile tea to help them sleep, echinacea when they have an acute illness, cinnamon for warmth during the cold months, or ginger for indigestion. Herbs can also be used for bigger, chronic ailments with the discerning eye of a professional herbalist. There are many different traditions of herbal medicine, some of the most extensive and well known are:
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been developing for over 5,000 years and includes herbal medicine, diet, acupuncture, moxibustion, and abdominal massage to name a few. Chinese medicine has spent thousands of years developing diagnostic strategies to better understand the terrain of the body that is inhabiting the disease. Some diagnostic strategies include advanced tongue and pulse readings.
Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine
Ayurveda is considered the "mother of all healing systems" and originated in India. Ayurvedic medicine is a complete healing system with 10 branches to address physical, mental, and spiritual imbalances of the body. Herbal medicine and diet are just a few branches of this healing system. The most popular and well known branch is Yoga.
Western Herbal Medicine
This is a broad term that encompasses traditional European, Eclectic and Native American philosophies of herbal medicine.
Can herbs help my xyz?
There are many health complaints that can benefit from herbs, either alone or alongside pharmaceuticals according to the client's wishes. Some health concerns I see in the office include fatigue, immunity problems, recovery from illnesses or injuries, hormone imbalances, fertility, pain, sleep disorders, mental health disorders, digestion disorders, autoimmune disorders, menopause, postpartum support, complimentary care for ailments being treating primarily through allopathic (conventional western) medicine, and much more. If you're curious if your health concerns might benefit from herbs, I'm happy to discuss your specific conditions to find out if herbs may be right for you.
How much do the herbs cost?
When addressing a chronic health concern the cost of custom herbal preparations can range from $70-130 every 4-6 weeks and depends on the relative cost of the herbs included, how high the dosage is and how many different preparations are recommended. Budgets can most certainly be adhered to according to the clients wishes. Every client receives an 8oz tincture (unless they prefer powders or concentrated teas) and some may also receive smaller tinctures to take as-needed for symptoms or powders to reach a certain amount of grams per day of specific herbs.
Do you sell herbs?
Yes. I maintain a full apothecary of over 350 bulk herbs and over 250 handmade tinctures. With these herbs I make individualized tinctures, powders, teas, salves, oils and more.
What is a dropperful?
A dropperful of tincture is the amount of liquid that fills the dropper when the rubber bulb is squeezed once. The amount of liquid in a dropperful for an 8oz, 4oz, 2oz, or 1oz tincture is different according to the size of the dropper and is roughly 45 drops, 30 drops, 20 drops, and 15 drops respectively. The size of your dropper is taken into consideration when recommending dosages.
Can I take herbs if I take pharmaceuticals?
Yes. Herbal medicine can be complementary to your pharmaceutical medication. There are some interactions between certain herbs and pharmaceuticals, but good herbalists know these interactions and recommend according to what is safe for the individual. Each custom formula I make is cross referenced through two databases of safety standards and interactions of herbs with other herbs and herbs with specific pharmaceuticals.
Do you work with long-distance clients?
Yes. Initials consultations can be done over the phone and herbs and protocols can be mailed to anywhere in the country. If you're near my office in Sacramento, you can choose to have an in-person consultation or phone consultation, whichever feels best for you.
