Allying with the Plants for One’s Health (Part 3)

Over the last several weeks, the plants have slowly started to wake up.

The other day, however, I spotted the first handful of garlic sprouts popping up in my garden.

Although I can’t say there is any proof to this statement,

I personally have noticed that once my garlic begins to sprout,

the dormancy of winter has worn away

and nature is ready to flourish.

Is there a spring plant that you are or have been particularly excited to see?

-:-:-

A couple of letters ago, I started a short series which answers some of the common big questions folks might ask or wonder when it comes to working with an Herbalist.

If you’d like to review the last two letters of the series:

“What is an Herbalist?”

“Why might someone seek out the support of an Herbalist?”

Today, the last letter of the series, I’ll be answering the question of:

“When to work with An Herbalist and Plant Medicines?”

-or- “What can An Herbalist Help with?”

-:-:-

In my last letter, I explored some of the values and desires I often see and hear from clients - why they’ve decided to work with me and the plants.

Today, let's take a look at why someone might want to work with me, an Herbalist, from a health perspective - or at least take a look at some of the reasons, as there are many!

Disclaimer: I am an Herbalist and an Integrative Nutritionist. I share to educate and empower, not to speak as your personal health practitioner.

There are a few overarching reasons a person reaches out to work with me:

1. Acute and/or chronic condition(s)

2. Uncomfortable, mildly disruptive symptoms/imbalances

   1. and/or: A general feeling that their health/well-being could be better

3. Preventative care / supporting one’s body through the seasons (of Nature and of Life)

*These categories are loose, the examples are not strictly tied to the category I’ve placed them into.

1 - Acute and/or Chronic Condition(s)

Experiencing sudden, intense, and/or chronic symptoms is one of the top reasons we seek help, understandably so.

These are the experiences that disrupt our lives and routines - work life, home life, emotional well-being, hobbies, etc.

Real-life examples:

• Intense abdominal pain (a client's story)

• “Unexplainable” bouts of (undiagnosable) sickness (a client’s story)

• Dangerously low oxygen levels (a client’s story)

• Arthritic pains

• Difficulties with sleep - falling asleep and/or staying asleep

• Yearly pneumonia/bronchitis - the sickness that comes almost like clockwork

• Seasonal mood changes

• Constantly getting sick (a family’s story)

• Healing post surgery/injury

• Bowel irregularities: slow, loose, alternating, etc.

2 - Uncomfortable, mildly disruptive symptoms/imbalances & generally feeling less than optimal

These experiences are generally easier to look past and live with than the first category, but they can be equally as uncomfortable and likely still bring some disruption to one’s life/routines.

Many of the experiences in this category are considered “normal”.

Common, however, is not the same as normal.

Real-life examples:

• Teenage acne

• Painful, gassy digestion

• Low motivation and/or focus

• Uncomfortable pre-menstrual symptoms

• Menstrual irregularities: painful, heavy, light, spotting

• Old injuries/scars still painful

• Urinary Tract Infection / Yeast Infection

• Lingering emotions: overwhelm - grief - fear - anger - anxiety…

• Relational struggles

• Allergies

3 - Preventative care / supporting one’s body through the seasons (of Nature and of Life)

Preventative care is a unique concept because, well, we never really know what we’ve prevented. The idea is to be proactive in supporting one’s self in wellness.

Much of “preventative care” occurs in our homes and in our daily routines - what we consume (food/drink, media, environment), how we move, how we sleep, etc. Even so, herbs are powerful allies in supporting our wellbeing as well. We can easily incorporate them into our days through food, drink, and even various topical applications.

Working alongside an herbalist and receiving an individualized herbal plan is also very supportive. We don’t have to wait until we are really struggling with a symptom or concern to seek support. Supporting the body early often means the body heals and finds its ideal balance much sooner.

Real-life examples:

• Touching base with me seasonally to be proactive in continuing to support the body

  • This works incredible for those generally doing well

  • It is during the seasonal transitions that tend to affect us the most and we are most likely to be pushed out of balance (and experience symptoms)

• As needed care - offering the body extra support, depending on the body’s need

  • Immune support in those seasons there's more sickness making their rounds

  • Emotional/Mental support in those seasons of added stress

  • Post injury healing

  • Etcetera

-:-:-

Be well and notice the plants waking up all around,

~ Kara