This is how we cross the river

Top 8 Reasons to Work with an Energetic Herbalist

I was trained as an herbalist by Karyn Sanders and Sarah Holmes at The Blue Otter School of Herbal Medicine. My practice of energetic herbalism is rooted in Karyn's Choctaw linage, and these values are inherent in the indigenous perspective of these teachings.

#8: Use the lowest effective dose

When formulating a tea or tincture, an energetic herbalist will always recommend working with the lowest effective dose. This is because the lowest effective dose requires less resources (plants, alcohol, etc) and thus is gentler on the planet. It is also gentler on the person's body which means the body can return to balance even quicker.

#7: Clients guide the path forward

One foundational approach of energetic herbalism is the client decides the goals. We are present to support whatever direction the client wants to move. Say a client wants to run a marathon, and is looking for support with endurance and energy levels. Personally I think that running 26 miles is much too far for most people's bodies! But as an herbalist I keep my opinions to my self, and focus on ways to support my client reaching the finish line.

#6: No judgement

You could be a health insurance CEO. Your ballot could look exactly opposite from mine. You could have done things you regret. It doesn't matter what your past is. What matters is that my clients are seeking change. They are willing to go deep in themselves and ask questions. Again, I'm here to hold space and let the client lead. I'm not going to judge a client for anything they share with me. And it's all confidential too.

#5: Address physical discomfort

Most of my clients reach out because they are having discomfort in their physical bodies. A few examples are people struggling with anxiety or stress, fed up with allergies, getting high LDL or A1C tests, irregular periods or there's a family history of cancer. Many people reach for herbs when allopathic medicine either gives up or suggests getting on medication indefinitely. With herbs we can address the physical body when it's out of balance, or preventatively.

#4: Support the emotional body

What is the medicine for resentment? What tincture is indicated when old trauma patterns keep rearing their heads? As part of every formulation in my practice I am working with very small or "energetic" doses of herbs (alongside larger physical doses) which are specific for working on emotional and spiritual imbalances. After every session I reflect on what was discussed in the session. Then, free of judgement, I select 1-2 herbs to support the emotional terrain of my client for the next couple months.

#3: Identify the root cause / Get support crossing the river

When a client reaches out for an initial consultation, we meet for a two hour intake session. I ask over 200 questions to get to know the person, their past and where they want to go.

After the first session I create a plan, which I think of as the stepping stones across the river. We are on one side of the river together, and they want to get to the other side. My job is to guide them from one stone to the next.

What happens over the months and years that I work with a client is an incredible process of personal growth. We usually end up discussing past relationships, childhood, experiences with the client's family of origin, ancestry, culture, hobbies and more. Ultimately, we are looking to find the roots of how the client's health and vital energy was altered, and we work together to find ways to restore it.

Each time we meet we take a step forward. The client takes steps on their own too, between sessions. Some rivers are wide and rushing, others are shallow and calm. Either way, we keep progressing together. This is how we cross the river.

#2: Unleash our creative self

Every session results in a personalized protocol made up of herbal, diet and lifestyle shifts. Often the protocol involves doing things for fun! This can be outings to museums, making more art, spending time with friends or a partner. What is life if we're not having fun and getting creative? Connecting deeply with the creative part of our self is critical for restoring our energy.

#1: Live from the heart

Last, and certainly not least, a lot of what I do in my practice is supporting people to be less in their heads. In this day and age it's easy to live in our heads. And, it's been proven by science that our heart receives information 2-3 seconds before our brain! Let's trust that! Moving our consciousness into our heart and living in a more embodied way is ultimately the way forward for many of my clients to thrive.

There are 9 weeks left in 2026 to get started as a new client in my practice of energetic herbalism. If you're looking to digest food better, have more energy, feel less anxious or kick off 2027 feeling more embodied, reach out!