Consultation with your local herbalist
“the preservation of health is easier than the cure for disease”
I recently received a wellness consultation from community member and certified clinical herbalist-Meghan O’Neill, owner of Black Birch Her-pothecary. She sells her tinctures, tea blends, skin and hair care products at the Boone Winter Farmers’ Market. Her products are all ethically, and locally sourced and 100% organic. Many of the herbs, she grows and forages herself. Meghan is certified by the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine and has been practicing since 2019.
Herbalism (technical term; phytotherapy) is the practice of identifying and utilizing plants that have specific health benefits. When performed as a science based medical practice, plant medicine is referred to as phytotherapy. Herbalism is an incredibly diverse practice, with no roots stemming from one part of the world. Every society has a lense through which they engage with local ecology, and with each area having their own biodiversity (variation of native species) utilizing native plants looks different in every area. When speaking to a qualified holistic herbalist (for instance, our friend Meghan) she demonstrates her 1025+ hours of education and several years of professional experience.
After we spoke for over an hour about all aspects of my health, Meghan put together a list of issues we discussed, systems they affect, and how to address them using plant medicine. Meghan also offered great insight into parts of my diet that needed to be fixed ( less/no gluten, more color, more unique foods like berries and fermented foods).
A few days later, Meghan gave me a few large bottles of tinctures she had blended to help reduce inflammation and skeletal muscle pain, along with other helpful extracted plant medicine. Meghan offered so much wisdom and care designed specifically for me, all for about $50.
11/10, would recommend. Talk about a good investment.
One misconception the public has about herbalism? According to Meghan, It’s not about treating or prescribing. it’s about listening, assessing, and recommending compounds that can be found in various plants. Herbalism and phytotherapy are therapeutic in the sense that we can take it or leave it. If it’s not helpful, try anything else. Herbalism also encourages us to eat a more diverse range of edible foods so that we gain more vital nutrients.
I asked Meghan what her advice would be to the general population, her response? Listen to the plants, and listen to your body. I took that to mean that we should engage with the environment intentionally, as one with the plants in our native ecosystem.
You can catch Meghan at the Boone Winter Farmers Market (Instagram: @boonewintermarket), or follow Meghan at @black_birch_herpothecary. Meghan and I are collaborating to bring more herbal massage treatments to you. 100% organic, so luxurious AND effective. When booking a massage with me, you can now also add on an Herbal Salve Target Area Treatment using her herbal compounds on problem areas in the body. Her herbal muscle salve and other products are also available for purchase.
Herbal Hot Oil Scalp Treatment also coming soon!
