The greatest benefit of seeing a clinical herbalist is that you will get a blend of herbs specifically formulated for your personal needs and health goals. Choosing a pre-prepared formula off the shelf at a health food store may be “hit or miss” for complex health issues. This is why a comprehensive review of your symptoms and history is undertaken during your consultation, to find the herbs that will work best for your specific needs.

Herbs come in many forms, capsules, liquid extracts, teas, and powders, to name a few. Most often, the least expensive way to take herbs is in tea or powder form. For some, these forms are “do-able.” But others prefer and quicker and easier way to take herbs. Rebecca will work with each individual to find the best and easiest approach to taking herbs.

BIOAVAILABILITY
Herbal tinctures, teas and liquid extracts are easy to absorb and can be quick acting if necessary.

EASILY CUSTOMIZED
Herbal liquid extracts and powders are easy to blend and customize for the individual. In many cases, instead of taking 10 different herb capsules, herbs can be blended into one mix. i.e. one teaspoon of herbs can be taken 1-3 x daily.

QUALITY
I work with custom formularies, because I want to assure my clients and myself that we are getting the highest quality ethically wild-crafted and organically cultivated herbs available on the market.

One of the biggest issues with the use of herbs is the quality of the supplements available. It is often difficult for consumers to distinguish which are the best quality herbal supplements. Factors that affect the quality of herbs include proper identification, harvesting, processing, extraction technique, and the strength and potency of the extract.

Poor quality herbal supplements are not as effective and can at times be dangerous. Several organizations help to educate consumers about the quality of herbal products including.
1. American Botanical Council (ABC): www.herbalgram.org (512) 926-4900
2. American Herbal Products Association: www.ahpa.org (301) 588-1171
3. ConsumerLab.com, LLC: www.consumerlab.com


PRICE
Price and dosing can be confusing! It seems at first glance that a custom formulary is more expensive, until one realizes that the herbs cost less by the ounce, are more potent and are being dosed effectively. Similarly, when you purchase capsules or tinctures off the shelf, the recommended dose on the bottle is at times lower than clinicians use in practice. One great example of this is Echinacea. First of all, many products are made with E. purpurea and many herbalists prefer the E. angustofolia species. A product often recommends 1-2 caps (400 mg each) 3 - 4 x daily. This dosage range is approx 1200 mg to 3200 mg. At times, I will suggest larger doses, 5000 to 8000 mg per day, as indicated. This dose would = 12-20 capsules a day of that same company’s product!!! In cases like these, tinctures are welcomed alternatives, financially and logistically.

TASTE
Some clients are unaccustomed to the idea of tasting herbs and others are old pros! At first the bitter or potent taste of herbs can be shocking. The American diet tends to be low in bitters (except coffee and beer). Until recently, humans have consumed small amounts of bitter herbs in their diet for thousands of years. At times, there are health benefits to tasting the herbs as well as taking them.

Often after 2 weeks people actually prefer the taste of their formula, as taste perception shifts. Give it a little time. If the taste does not grow on you, we can explore another method of taking herbs.