Clinic

Herbal Consultation

Tucson Clinic of Botanical Medicine

The heart of professional herbal therapy is the consultation. This time allows the client to fully relay information about the problem and provides the herbalist with an opportunity to understand the nuances of the client’s situation. Another way to think about it – this interaction allows the herbalist to ask the right questions so he better understands the physiological subtleties of the client, which then allows a better fine-tuning of the herbal answer. The consultation is also the gateway to person-based herbal therapy (as opposed to boilerplate-based therapy – xyz herb for xyz problem). This deeper type of herbalism considers the client’s physiological totality (genetics, constitution, demeanor, appearance, and other nuances), which remains largely undiscovered if the intellectual curiosity stops at this herb for that problem. In a nutshell – the consultation allows the herbal process to begin properly.

Constitutional Herbal Medicine

Addressing not just the outward symptom, but too the underlying pattern of dysfunction, the application of constitutional herbal medicine favors an approach that is investigative and in-depth. Symptoms are easy to recognize. However, discovering the physiological/genetic tendency, which symptoms (manifested distress) arise from, is an all-together different matter. This approach takes some observational skill and experience on the part of the herbalist. Herbal effectiveness is best achieved when the herbs are matched to the individual (or physiological/genetic tendency), and not just the outward symptom of distress.

Correct Herbal Preparation

White sage (Salvia apiana)

Once the most effective herb or herbs have been selected, it’s also important to establish the proper mode of delivery for those herbs. Not all preparations are equal in their effectiveness and/or ability to transfer therapeutic benefit. Teas (a water extract) are fine for communicating an herb’s water-soluble constituents. Tincture’s and fluidextract’s are preparations better-geared for relaying both polar and non-polar constituents (that is, as long as the herb has been tinctured properly). A spirit (an alcohol-diluted essential oil) is one preferred vehicle for non-polar chemicals (mostly aromatic terpenes); however, it contains no flavonoids, saponins, and many other compounds, which may or may not be important to that particular herb’s therapeutic potential. In other words, the correct tool (herb/s) needs to be selected, and that tool needs to be prepared properly.

About

The effective application of herbal medicine

Passionflower (Passiflora foetida)

…is a somewhat nuanced affair, with the understanding of just what is achievable being of no small importance. Succinctly, well-applied herbal medicine best addresses functional complaints, i.e., problems that are dependent upon stress, poor diet and lifestyle choices, and/or genetic tendency amplified by environmental conditions or age. In other words: low to mid-level complaints.

Continue reading “About”

Appointments

How to Schedule an Appointment

  1. Contact me via the form on the Contact page, with your name, email, phone number, and a brief description of the main complaint.
  2. I’ll then call or email so we can briefly discuss the issue and then set up an office or phone/video appointment.
  3. I’ll then send two intake forms to you (email/mail, your choice). Bring the completed forms to the appointment (or email them back to me before the phone/video consult).

Additional Notes

  • Before making contact, please read the Frequently Asked Questions page. This continues to clarify the what and how.
  • This is an herbal consultation practice (not a retail herb shop). If it’s simply an herbal product that is desired (with no consultation) you’ll be better served by purchasing the item in a store.
  • I’ve been a practicing herbalist since the 90s. This span of experience has allowed me to explore and integrate (and discard) a variety of  herbal approaches. I have a sensible view of the subject; meaning, my therapeutic assessments are based upon western scientific interpretations (not metaphysics, etc.) of disfunction and health. To depart from the application of reason/critical thinking as the main interpretive lens, I believe does the client (and herbal subject) a disservice.

Cancellations

Of course it’s not ideal, but there’s no problem with a cancellation or rescheduling the day before (or prior to the day before) the appointment. With the exception of emergencies, if the cancellation occurs the same day of the consult (or no-shows), and a future appointment is desired, I’ll most likely refer that person to another practitioner.

Confidentiality

Our relationship is completely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared without your written consent.

Disclaimer

I am not a doctor/physician. Herbal/health consultations, suggested supplementation, and related services provided by CWK (i.e. Tucson Clinic of Botanical Medicine) are not a substitute for conventional medical diagnosis and care, which can only be performed by a licensed physician.

Contact

Please use the the contact form below to inquire about scheduling a consultation.

If you are certain you’d like to schedule a consultation, along with the contact form here, you’re welcome to submit the initial consultation payment: https://tcbmed.com/payment-form/.

Potential clients: before reaching out, please read the Appointments, FAQ, and About pages. Answers to most questions about cost, payment options, logistics, etc. are found there. Thank you.

5931 East Pima Street (Suite #102) Tucson AZ 85712