“Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.”
— Hippocrates
Can Food and Herbs Help My Condition?
Our GI tract is a place of complex communication between many body systems. Here, our nervous system, immune system, gastrointestinal system and vast microbiome are constantly exchanging signals and influencing one another. Therefore, gut-related conditions are rarely simple, and they tend to be bundled with multiple other conditions, like mental health, immune, allergy or skin problems.
Medicinal food and herbs are a way to intervene in this complex conversation. If used knowledgeably, they can nudge the whole body towards a healthier state. For example, they can reduce inflammation, help to heal damaged tissue, modulate the immune system and relax anxious nerves. These points of intervention can turn negative feedback loops that create disease into positive feedback loops that promote health.
A depiction of the gut lining
“The Enteric Network: Interactions between the Immune and Nervous Systems of the Gut.” -BB Yoo, SK Masmanian, 2017
Some of the conditions I help people with are:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Food allergies or sensitivities
Nausea
Discomfort or pain in digestive tract
Acid reflux
Constipation
Hemorrhoids or anal fissures
Anxiety
Tension
Insomnia
Allergies
Skin conditions, like rashes or eczema
Getting sick frequently or colds dragging on
If you don’t see your condition here, please get in touch. I will always be honest about whether I can help.
Working Together
Consultations are tailored to individuals’ needs. In general, we work together in 3 stages.
1. Intake and Set Goals
We review your health history and concerns together.
2. Make a Plan
Together, we make a plan for improving your condition. This will involve using specific food and/or herbs as medicine to coax your body back towards health. I will make sure this plan aligns with information from other health providers, including medications, test results and other health strategies. What’s important is that the plan is coordinated, doable and feel right to you.
3. Test it & Tweak it
This is the heart of our work together. In my approach, a health plan is not static, but something that must respond to your unique needs. We check in frequently to see what works for you and what doesn’t, and we keep adjusting the strategies until you feel better.
