Welcome! Here, we answer the questions we most often get about herbalism—what it is, how an herbalist works, and how plant-based support can help you feel your healthiest and most balanced.
What exactly is a clinical herbalist?
Clinical herbalists are highly skilled practitioners with expertise in the art & science of utilizing plant medicine to support the health and wellbeing of their clients.
How are herbalists trained?
Herbalists come from a variety of educational backgrounds, ranging from traditional community folk herbalists (skills passed down through generations), individuals who’ve completed apprenticeships with other herbalists, and individuals who’ve completed advanced graduate degrees in fields such as phytotherapy, ethnobotany, herbal medicine, and naturopathic medicine.
In addition to two herbal apprenticeships, Lena has completed a 3-year Master of Science degree in Therapeutic Herbalism, which included a clinical internship, from a fully accredited university, Maryland University of Integrative Health (now Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Integrative Health).
Lena’s graduate studies included phytochemistry (the chemistry of medicinal plant compounds), organic chemistry, nutritional biochemistry, anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacognosy & herbal pharmacology, herb-drug interactions, field work including botany, plant identification & classification, wild-harvesting & medicine making, herbal formulations, traditional clinical assessments including tongue and pulse, and assessment of constitutional types & tissue states.
In the US, there is no state-recognized licensure for herbalists in any state, and herbalists are not a replacement for a licensed health care provider. Anyone can call themselves an herbalist, so learning about the background knowledge and experience of an herbalist can help you determine if that herbalist is a good fit for your goals.
How can an herbalist help you reach your health goals?
We work with you to support the optimal functioning of your body and your physical and emotional wellbeing, but we don’t diagnose or treat disease. Depending on your goals, we may make referrals to other health care practitioners to work collaboratively with — from psychotherapists to doctors to bodyworkers. We do provide custom blended herbal formulations, nutritional supplement recommendations, and a detailed plan for nutritional and lifestyle modifications to help you reach your health and wellness goals. Where your doctors and other conventional practitioners leave off, we can help fill in the gaps by taking a big picture holistic approach, helping you get to the root of the issue by supporting the foundations of health and wellness.
How does an herbal consultation with Lena work?
Lena approaches clients from a biopsychosocial model of health. That means she considers everything from what you are exposed to in your physical environment, to social-spiritual connections, to genetic, family history, mental-emotional, and other factors. These aspects tie together to create your clinical picture of wellbeing.
This individualized assessment means that you will get herbal formulas that are custom-tailored and can be adjusted as your needs change. This leads to results that are much more powerful than what you might get picking up some herbs or supplements for yourself from a health food store.
Are appointments different for fertility clients?
For fertility clients, or those dealing with menstrual or hormonal imbalances, we support you in learning to chart your cycles via daily tracking of basal body temperature and changes in cervical fluid which you can chart in a free app or via paper charts if you prefer. This will help determine if and exactly when you’re ovulating, what relative levels of estrogen and progesterone look like, the most optimal day(s) to try to conceive, and much more.
Medical Disclaimer: Herbal Consultations are never intended as a replacement for medical care with a licensed physician, but instead as a complementary modality to support your overall health and wellbeing. Nothing on this website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and no statement here has been evaluated by the FDA.