Let nature show us the way.

Herbal Medicine, used for thousands of years, supports the healthy structure and function of the body. Herbs are taken to promote vitality, balance, and longevity. Simply defined, herbalism is the art and science of skillfully collecting, preparing, and utilizing herbs to nudge the body towards wellness. Herbs and plants can be prepared and used in many ways. They can be taken internally as tinctures, teas, powders, syrups, or capsules. Externally, they can be applied as lotions, oils, salves and in baths. The strength of botanicals lies in their capacity to support and nurture the body's innate healing capacity.

Why herbs?

The current practice of herbalism in United States focuses on supporting wellness as opposed to fighting disease. Many herbalists believe the strength of botanicals lies in their capacity to support the body as it finds the healing path. In other words, the focus is not placed on herbs fixing you but on nurturing intrinsic bodily wisdom.  

Herbs will provide daily support as you take them between consultations with your practitioner.   The self-care nature of herbalism empowers you to care for yourself and better understand and care for your body. Once your herbal formula and self care is established the number of office visits will become less frequent.

Why would I see an herbalist?

Since herbs are readily available in a variety of places, do I need to see an herbalist? While there has been an increase in the distribution of off-the-shelf herbal products, the assistance of a professional can help guide you in making wise choices and better understanding herbal use. An experienced herbalist can help make sure the herbs used are safe, of consistent quality, and proportioned appropriately for your needs. Concerns you may have regarding possible interactions with pharmaceutical medications can also be addressed by consulting an educated and experienced practitioner. The herbalist will also help you understand the limitations of herbs and provide referrals to appropriate licensed practitioners when necessary.

What benefit is there to seeing an herbalist?

Possibly the greatest benefit from an herbal consultation is that you will receive a blend of herbs specifically formulated for you .   Constitution, life history and your personal goals as well as type of product (i.e tinctures, powders, teas or capsules)  are considered when creating a formula. For example, although ginger, cardamom, dandelion, and chamomile may all be taken to maintain healthy digestive function, someone of a hot constitution is likely to do better with the chamomile and dandelion while someone of a cold constitution is likely to do better with the ginger and cardamom. During your herbal consultation, your practitioner will learn about you and your constitution  and therefore will be able to match plants for your specific needs.

What happens during the consultation?

Your first visit with an herbalist will take approximately 90 minutes. During this time the practitioner will gather information about your past history, review lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, discuss your health concerns, and have an opportunity to set goals for your future health. The herbalist will conduct a review of organ systems, not to diagnose disease but to explore areas to support health. At the end of this visit, the herbalist will make some herbal recommendations.

Where can I go to purchase herbal recommendations?

Recommendations made by the herbalist can be purchased at the Tai Sophia Institute's Herb Dispensary, where herbs will be formulated according to the practitioner’s specifications. You are also free to purchase herbs wherever you choose and your practitioner can supply you with a list of local resources.