Clinic

Herbal Consultation

Tucson Clinic of Botanical Medicine

The heart of professional herbal therapy is the in-person 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 communication solely takes place via phone, email, etc. 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 back so we can briefly discuss the issue and then set up an office appointment (9am-5pm M-F).
  3. I’ll send two intake forms to you (email/mail/fax, your choice). Bring the completed forms to the appointment.

Additional Notes

  • Before making contact, please read the Frequently Asked Questions page. This continues to clarify, not only what I offer, but how it’s offered.
  • This is an herbal consultation practice (not a retail herb shop). If it’s simply a tea/tincture/dried herb that is desired (with no consultation) you’ll be better served by purchasing the item in a store. Relatedly, I don’t sell herbs/custom formulas to non-clients.
  • Aside from the preliminary contact, I do not internet/phone/email consult. Consultations are in-person and by appointment only. *I do make an exception for COVID related consultations. These are conducted by phone.*
  • 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

The contact form below is for potential clients only. I don’t respond to other than client-related communications through this form. For other-than client contact, see the Contact Page on medivetus.com.

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

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