reclaim your health with plant medicine

Vitalism in healing is a clinical strategy based on the principle that Life, Nature, and the Great Spirit from which they arise are fully present in all the tissues of the body, and also in the psyche, the spiritual heart, and the soul, sustaining life and health, providing inspiration and momentum for personal evolution on all levels, and for the fulfillment of the highest purpose in social and spiritual life. Vitalist practitioners employ clinical strategies and methods which support this life power through encouragement of nourishment, digestion, rest, and appropriate activity, identification of purpose in personal life, connection with nature, an active spiritual life, identification and removal of obstacles to cure on all levels, and avoidance of methods which suppress or distort life processes. The Vitalist incorporates all aspects of science, especially physiology and pathophysiology, but equally values knowledge from traditional medicine, empirical observation, instinct and intuition, and is not confined to the narrow materialistic world view that dominates much of modern science, medicine, and social life. Vitalist herbal medicine is the use of herbs in support of this approach and these processes.

​The Principles of Vitalist Medicine

Vitalism is an empirical strategy, not an abstract philosophy. It is the foundation of each of the great natural healing systems of the world, including Chinese, Greek/Arabic, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, North American and British Thomsonian/Physiomedical and many indigenous systems throughout the world. Here are the general common principles of vitalist therapeutics.

Principle #1: The power of healing comes from Life and Nature, which are functioning qualities of a transcendent and all pervasive Unity.

Principle #2: Life Power acts as a Unity throughout the individual, on the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual levels, and unites the individual and her Purpose to all living things. The Life Power is not in any way separate from the material constituents of the body.

Principle #3: Life Power acts on well-digested food to build, sustain, and restore the tissues and functions of the organism. It requires a level of complete nutrition to express harmoniously.

Principle #4: Nutrients must be well-digested and the first target of Vitalist therapeutics is to explore and discover the composition, quantity, and timing of the diet most suitable to each individual. Herbal medicines to support healthy digestion are a foundation of Vitalist therapeutics.

Principle #5: Life Power and its circulation throughout the organism are intimately associated with the breath, and full deep breathing, including that induced by moderate exercise, is essential to health.

Principle #6: A primary expression of Life Power is activity, on all levels, and a certain level of activity is necessary for the Life Power to circulate and express.

Principle #7: Life expresses in rhythms of activity and rest. Promoting rest, recreation, and healthy sleep habits are an essential part of Vitalist therapeutics. Herbal medicines to support rest and sleep are foundational in all systems of Vitalist medicine.

Principle #8: Symptoms of disease are not an error of Nature, but are produced by the Life Power as the best attempt to restore balance.

Principle #9: In attempting to support the Life Power during health or crisis, supportive strategies and methods should be selected and suppressive ones avoided.

Principle #10: Critical to Vitalist therapeutics is the examination, investigation, and removal of obstacles to cure, in whatever sphere of life they may occur.

Principle #11: Life progresses in stages, characterized by phases of stability separated by transitional crises. The Crisis results in a reorganization of the vital structures to express Life in a more harmonious and powerful way. The Crisis is evolutionary in nature. It is critical not to suppress symptoms during a period of crisis

Principle #12: Life Power manifests in the individual with the intent of a Greater Purpose, experienced subjectively as a sense of “Calling.” Alignment with or alienation from the Calling can have profound influence on the vital health on all levels.

Simone is an Herbalist and Vitalist Practitioner based in Columbus, OH. She graduated from the School of Natural Healing and School of Evolutionary Herbalism. She is a student of the American Herbalists Guild (USA). Her passion is working with expecting mothers and young children. However, she has worked with all sorts of individuals. You can read more about her background here. 

In short, one of the benefits of seeing an herbalist is guidance and education. Working with someone who has been trained in both medical sciences and herbalism can be incredibly enlightening and empowering. It can also ensure that you are making the safest and most educated decisions possible about using plants to support your health and well being. Clinical herbalists are able to interpret scientific research and assess potential for herb-drug interactions. They are also able to provide an objective perspective on the bigger picture that you may not be able to cultivate on your own.

In addition to their extensive knowledge in the application of herbs, herbalists appreciate their clients as individuals with sometimes very complex stories to tell. There is a built-in understanding that our life experiences can shape and craft our physical well being. Having a one on one consultation, you will have the opportunity to share your concerns, your joys, your sadness, your stress, in a safe, respectful, and supportive environment. Many people believe that part of healing comes with sharing your story and being heard. Herbalists are able to provide this safe space, when many other healthcare practitioners cannot.

Upon booking your first appointment, you ill be emailed a PDF document that need to be filled out and sent back to our office via mail or email at least 7 days prior to your first appointment. If you are unable to access the internet, we will send you a copy of these forms in the mail. Please also send in advance any copies of pathology reports, scan reports, and pertinent blood work reports. Please ensure that all reports are in chronological order. It is also of utmost importance to include any and all pharmaceutical medications and dietary supplements on your client intake form.

These forms, although extensive, are designed to provide the herbalist with as much information about your health history and wellness status prior to your first appointment so that your time together in consultation is as productive as possible. These forms also give you, the client, and opportunity to 'take stock' of your health and wellness goals. Knowing what you would like to achieve through the herbal consultation is the first step to reclaiming your own health sovereignty.

The cost of herbs is NOT included in the consultation price. Although you are not expected or required to purchase herbal supplements from us, our prices reflect our desire to keep herbalism accessible and affordable for our clients. If you prefer to purchase herbal supplements elsewhere, we can recommend other sources, but can not guarantee pricing or quality of those products.

As each person is unique, so will be the herbs we suggest for you. These may be alcoholic extracts, dried herbs for tea or in capsules, herbal oils, syrups/elixirs, or a combination of remedies. We will discuss herbal recommendations in consultation to figure out what will work best for you and your budget. Pricing can range from $20 - $120 / month.

Personalized herbal blends can be made and also be reordered. The custom herbal blends can be shipped to you for an additional cost, which will be added to the total cost of your herbs. Please note that payment must be received prior to shipping.

Most people expect herbs to work like drugs. You are sick, you swallow some magic herbal pill, and voilà! All better. Unfortunately this is not how herbs work, nor is it how their efficacy should be judged. It is crucial to understand that herbs are not drugs, and they don't work like drugs. Pharmaceutical drugs are derived from plants. Researchers usually identify an active substance - what they consider the most important and useful part of the plant - and then extract it, concentrate it, and increase its potency to obtain a result. Drugs act fast to aim for specific molecular targets, often times manipulating a specific outcome. One molecule, one target, one outcome... highly specific and highly controlled.

Herbs, on the other hand, are not single molecules. In fact, a single herb can contain hundreds, some thousands, of chemical compounds. Each of these compounds is represented in various amounts depending on where the herb was grown, when and how the herb was harvested and processed, what form that it is in (capsule, tincture, tea, syrup, etc.), and how long it has been sitting on the shelf. With hundreds of chemical compounds, there is not a specific molecular outcome, but perhaps hundreds of them. Herbs work in much less 'specific' ways than drugs.

Since there are more than just one chemical compound in herbs, often these chemical compounds balance each other, creating a more gentle and safer result, with little to mild side affects compared to single-chemical pharmaceuticals. Herbs are also much more subtle and  often times much slower to act. 

In addition, herbs are not meant to act alone like most pharmaceuticals drugs. They are simply tools in your tool box that are meant to work alongside YOU, the client, who will also will need to take initiative to make changes to your nutritional or dietary habits, mental thoughts,  as well as your lifestyle. What this means is that herbs are only as effective as the client allows them to be. You can't expect to take herbs but continue unhealthy habits and think somehow that the herbs will take care of everything on their own. Although this may be the case when taking pharmaceuticals, it is absolutely not the case with herbs.

Healing work is powerful, invigorating, and life-chaining. However, it can be intense and requires commitment and accountability on your end to achieve your wellness goals.

Under most circumstances, for most people, most herbs are safe. However, there are situations where certain herbs may not be appropriate under certain circumstances for certain people. Also, children and elders require special consideration when choosing herbs and dosing, as their systems can be much more sensitive than a robust adult. There are many factors that ought to be considered when looking into the safety of herbs, however, lack of safety is most evident with potential for herb-drug interactions.

This depends on the individual and their circumstances, how proactive they are about making changes to diet and lifestyle, and their overall health and wellness goals. It will also depend on your medical history, current pharmaceutical use, needs for surgery, or whether or not you are seeing other practitioners, such as an acupuncturist or massage therapist. In a nutshell, there is no set period of time that can be calculated without a consultation. And even then, sometimes things can take longer or shorter than expected. 

It is important to remember that every individual person is different, even if their health concerns are the same. What worked best for someone else under similar circumstances may not work best for you. For this reason, it can be very difficult to gauge how long it will take until you start seeing improvements in your health and well-being. A lot of that will be up to the amount of work you put in, even though immediate results are often experienced as well. Healing to wellness is a dynamic path, not a linear or static one. 

No, you are free to seek healthcare wherever you wish. However, it is usually a good idea to let your primary doctor, specialist, and all other members of your healthcare team prior to making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, and/or using herbs as these changes may impact your pharmaceutical treatment(s). A full list of herbs in your personalized blend will be provided to you so that you can freely share this information with your healthcare team and do further research on your own. 

Representatives of Verbal Roots are not qualified or able to advise you to discontinue or change doses of pharmaceutical medications. You are advised to consult with your physician concerning any desired or personally implemented modifications to pharmaceutical medications. In addition, you are advised to speak to your medical doctor and/or licensed medical practitioner prior to trying herbal and dietary supplements or making changes to your diet or lifestyle as they may impact your medical treatment. 

In general you should not stop current medication. The herbs will not usually interfere in any way with the efficacy of your prescription drugs but there is a possible danger of the herbs being so effective that your dose of prescription drugs becomes inappropriate and causes problems for you. If you are currently taking some prescription medication then it is recommended that you do not self medicate with herbs, but rather consult with a qualified practitioner who can monitor your progress and work in conjunction with your doctor.

Herbal remedies are usually given in easy to take liquid form, as tinctures or syrups, or may be given dried to be made into a tea. Sometimes they are also given in powdered form as capsules or tablets, and essential oils creams and lotions may also be used.

Some herbs are best taken in the tincture (alcohol extract) form because not all constituents are readily soluble in water and a simple tea nay not extract adequately. Anything with a lot of resin (Ginger, Myrrh, Marigold, Poplar buds) may be best in an alcohol solution as strong as 90% for optimum extraction of the medicinal ingredients. Others like Goldenseal and Passionflower are best at around 65% to extract the alkaloids that are active. Still others need 45% to extract essential oils (Chamomile, Melissa). And then there are lots of herbs whose constituents are quite water soluble and they only need 25% alcohol for sterility. These low alcohol ones are the best ones to make into tea because they have the most water soluble ingredients.