Herbs & Nutrition

herbs in healing & growth

In dispensing herbs and supplements to my clients, I employ an approach known as functional herbal therapy. This approach allows for a highly effective synergy between the energetic medicine of acupuncture, necessary lifestyle changes and herbalism. This treatment design employs an empirical approach to herbalism while also embracing the knowledge gathered over thousands of years of herbal practice. It allows the client to begin to address the ways that we all sometimes create unnecessary suffering in our lives while also experiencing the necessary support to bring Healing & Growth into balance. An example may be the many ways we as humans inadvertently create inflammation within our bodies as well as with our emotions. An inflamed body will not absorb nutrients well and can lead to deeper states of disease. In combining herbs, acupuncture and lifestyle change, we can address the inflammation through a wholistic approach that addresses the root cause of the dis-ease.

The use of herbs by humans as medicine dates back thousands of years. While its efficacy is only beginning to be understood by modern science, the question of what, how and when to use herbal medicine in your life is often misunderstood. First, there is no herb that cures a health concern for everyone.  Second, the herb, herbs or supplement needed to promote healing or growth in one's life may not match your self-diagnosis nor the medical diagnosis. Third, an herbal approach to Healing & Growth often does not manifest the same immediate result as a pharmaceutical drug. Why? Mostly because the herb is addressing the root cause of a health concern and pharmaceutical drugs primarily address symptoms. By choosing a three pronged approach that includes herbs/supplements, acupuncture and lifestyle changes that help us grow, we address most fully the causes of dis-ease in our lives.

Nutrition in Healing & Growth

When addressing nutrition in my Healing & Growth practice, my initial focus is in supporting the efficiency of the digestive system. In doing so we address possible causes of discomfort or pain, diarrhea, constipation and other gastrointestinal health concerns. We focus on eliminating gut dysbiosis and supporting healthy gut flora balance. We also look at the possible relationship between diet, lifestyle, and many heath conditions including autoimmune diseases. Addressing these concerns may come in the form of acupuncture, herbs/supplementation or dietary/lifestyle changes. In some cases, I will employ my experience with abdominal massage and as well, teach a self-care massage practice to clients.

The complexity of eating well in these times lies in the very unique challenges it offers to each of us. Amongst the challenges facing us includes external factors like food deserts, the proliferation of overly processed, poor quality and overly rich foods, the constraints of financial budgets and lastly, the consequences of over committed schedules, and the role of internal factors such as the relationship between habituated patterns and emotional eating. For many, these factors can become overwhelming in making choices around food and food preparation. In my own earlier life, an over-reliance on eating out led to eating highly processed and overly rich foods. It also created mismanagement of food resources within the home. Nearly 10 years ago I stopped eating out on a regular basis and instead, made eating at restaurants a special and infrequent occasion. In addition and in alignment with simplifying my life, I started growing alot of my own vegetables and as well, maintaining a flock of chickens for eggs.