Why might someone seek out the support of an Herbalist? - Part 2

My previous letter was the first of a short series of answering some of the most common questions I get when folks learn that I am a practicing Herbalist.

In my last letter, I answered the question “What is an Herbalist?” - or at least started to answer this broad, deep question!

Today, we will explore the question of:

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

-:-:- 

For the sake of keeping this letter a little more focused, I am approaching this common question of “why” from the angle of values and desires. 

Over the past 8 years of working with folks one-on-one in supporting them in their health journey, I’ve noticed some patterns of why folks seek out someone such as myself.

The biggest reason:

They want to feel well- again.

This might seem like an obvious answer to you (because who doesn’t want to feel well??), but the person seeking out an herbalist to work with versus Western Medicine or even other “alternative” health practitioners has a layering of additional reasons.

Some of the additional reasons why someone may seek out working with an Herbalist (in no specific order) include:

• They feel failed by other methods or techniques. Either they didn’t get any answers or they didn’t experience any improvement after giving ____ an honest try.

• They believe they can be well again and that their body is designed to heal.

• They value and desire being heard.

• They understand that symptoms are messengers about what the body is needing.

• They desire individualized care (via conversation, tongue analysis, pulse testing, and muscle testing), not just another semi-standard protocol. 

• They value and desire to help their body heal rather than mask symptoms.

• They value nature and the medicine that she provides.

• They understand how interwoven their system is (physical, mental/emotional, energetic/spiritual) and desire working with someone who also understands this.

• They appreciate and understand that herbal medicine works really well alongside many other modalities.

• They prefer to work with liquid remedies rather than ones in capsule or tablet form.

• They desire to work with someone who can also offer care for their little ones.

• They believe in preventative care.

Although this list is not anywhere close to being comprehensive, it offers some of the more common reasons I have personally heard and witnessed in my own practice.

Some of the individuals who I work with likely would resonate with a lot of the reasons listed above while others may only resonate with a few of them. There is no right or wrong answer as to why you might seek out the support of an Herbalist but if you have been curious if the partnership would be right for you and/or your family, I hope that this list of reasons helps in your decision.

If you have any questions about the work that I do, please reach out!

Be well and savor the Spring we are having,

~ Kara

P.S. Spring can be a time of difficulty for folks - digestive upset, respiratory infections/ailments, skin ailments, etc. Know that there is support waiting for you if you need it 💜