Clinical Consultations
Medicinal herbs are a valuable tool that can be easily incorporated into your health and wellness routine. While herbs are generally considered a very safe form of medicine, it is important to work with a knowledgeable practitioner to get the most therapeutic benefits and avoid any potential contraindications or drug interactions.
An initial herbal consultation consists of an intake meeting (1-1.5 hours) where we review your current health issues and your detailed medical history. These intake sessions may seem long compared to some health care practitioners, and they allow us to build a clear picture of your personal health profile which provides the information necessary to create your individualized protocol.
During our intake session, I will identify systems of the body that may need support and create an herbal, nutritional and lifestyle protocol unique to you that will provide the support your individual person requires.
Our Herbal Medicines: I primarily use herbal tinctures (alcohol based extractions) in my practice, most of which are spagyric tinctures. Spagyric tinctures differ from basic herbal tinctures in that they undergo an extra step in processing which incorporates the minerals back into the tincture. Minerals are not extracted by alcohol and most herbal tinctures are missing this vital component of the plant medicine. By including the mineral elements of the plant, we create an even more holistic and potent medicine that requires smaller doses than basic tinctures. Herbal teas and/or topical preparations (salves, ointments, oils) may also be used.
In herbal medicine we treat each person as an individual while we focus on healing root cause issues to alleviate symptoms as opposed to treating symptoms only. Because of our individualistic approach there is no 'one size fits all' herb for any one symptom. Working one on one with a knowledgeable and experienced practitioner is key in experiencing positive results with herbs and holistic healing.
I look forward to supporting you in your health journey.
~ Megan Kendrick, RH (OHA)
TESTIMONIALS
“I saw Megan for help with my severe menstrual cramps, and was so impressed by her professionalism and thorough evaluation during our appointment. The formula she created for me was beyond my wildest expectations! I have always been interested and inspired by herbal medicines but Megan made me a true believer!”
“Megan put together an individualized remedy for treating a painful, chronic condition was at least as (if not more) effective than what’s pharmaceutically available in one-size-fits-all form - without the associated risks and side effects.”
“When I first saw Megan I was having some fairly serious gastrointestinal issues along with other health issues. The individualized herbal formula she created for me has not only addressed my health issues but I have been able to stop taking one of my prescribed medications! I am amazed at how well her formula has worked for me and would recommend anyone struggling with any ailments to give Wild Medicinals a try. Megan has been kind, holistic and professional and working with her has been such a gift to my health.”
What to Expect as a Client
Why Work With A Herbalist?
There are many ways that herbs can support us. Plants have been here long before us and we have evolved along side them. Humans have been using plants as food, medicine and in every aspect of life for as long as we’ve been here. Plants carry within them a natural intelligence and an ability to interact with our own bodies intelligence.
Plants, as medicine, help to bring our bodies back into a state of balance. Unlike pharmaceutical medicines which typically mimic or force a chemical, hormonal or functional action (which is sometimes necessary), many plants use their natural intelligence to guide our tissues, organs and body systems back to a state of optimal function. Many plants have a unique quality, an ability to normalize. For this reason herbs can be used both as preventative tonics, or to help support us through current health issues.
Conditions I have seen clients for include, digestive issues (ulcers, IBS, constipation, GERD, diarrhea), menstrual and gynecological issues (pms, fertility, period pain, PCOS, menopause), anxiety, depression, skin issues (acne, fungus, warts, rashes, rosacea), asthma, allergies, autoimmune issues, hypothyroidism, general stress, arthritis and immune support.
Initial Consultation
All new clients are required to complete an initial intake consultation. These sessions are between 1-1.5 hours and allow me to get a clear picture of your individual constitution and identify where you could use support. If you have any recent labwork or test results I ask that you bring them to the appointment. After the intake, I will prepare a protocol consisting of lifestyle, diet and herbal recommendations. The herbal recommendations will usually be in the form of a tincture based formula prepared from my apothecary of spagyric herbal tinctures. When indicated, other herbal preparations including salves, teas or infusions may be recommended. If you are already interested in the world of herbs, and have affinities or interests in certain herbs I welcome you to share them with me and we can work them into your herbal plan when appropriate. Once I have prepared your protocol, we will meet again to quickly review the recommendations together.
Follow Up
Follow up’s are an important part of your herbal wellness plan. Often times it is difficult for us to notice changes in our own health, especially as symptoms improve and we are no longer distracted by the discomfort. During the follow up we will contrast where you are with where you were, allowing us to have a clear picture of how the protocol is working for you and if any adjustments need to be made. I usually recommend 2 follow ups, spaced between 2-4 weeks each, following each initial consultation. Further follow ups may be conducted as needed, or every 3-6 months.
Continuity of Care
For ethical and safety reasons, I require clients to conduct a follow up for the first herbal medicine refill.
How Long Will I Be Taking Herbs?
Each person is different and is treated so under the holistic model, therefore it is difficult to generalize timelines. For acute issues, you may see resolutions within one or two sessions, however more chronic conditions require ongoing support and you can expect at least 3 sessions over the first 3 months. If further support is required after this initial period, follow ups for chronic care are generally conducted 2-4x/year and aren’t required for every herbal medicine refill.
While our goal in holistic medicine is to support your body back to health so you no longer need constant support, many clients choose to continue working with herbs even after their main issues resolve. For general maintenance and support, we may choose to use a herbal formula at a low or as needed dose, or a custom blended herbal tea or infusion.
How Much Do The Herbs Cost?
The cost of herbs will depend on the protocol we decide on, however most folks can anticipate somewhere between 20-30$/week spent on herbal medicines over the first couple months of working together. Individual costs for our client priced herbal medicines can be found here.
