Inspiring Women Magazine May 2021

odies. All elements are contributing factors that
impact our health.
The work of a herbalist & naturopath
Working in my garden
Exploring different areas of alternative medicine, I
obtained a diploma in Kinesiology, and finally I
came across herbal medicine. I remembered my
fascination for plants as a child, growing marigolds
in my grandmother’s garden to make balms to
treat the wounds and cuts of animals on our farm,
and of course, us. After several years of studying
Herbal Medicine, I graduated with a degree in
‘Medicinal Herbalism & Naturopathy’. Not only
has this allowed me to explore my fascination with
the impact plants can have on people with health
issues but also the fact that we can improve our
health and well-being by acknowledging the power
of nature.
My role as a practitioner is not to ‘replace’ a
medical doctor, but to teach and guide people so
that they can understand and handle their health
better. I show them that they do not have to wait
until they develop chronic health issues. We only
have to listen to our bodies and notice the first
signs of imbalances which, at that stage, can be
easily corrected ‘naturally’.
It is important to know that the practitioner has
time for you and is trained to get to know you in a
holistic manner before providing any solutions.
The first consultation, in particular, is very
comprehensive….and long. Every aspect of the
patient’s health is taken into account, questions
are asked about the medical history, diet, and the
functioning of the different systems of their body.
Additional physical examinations can be part of
this initial meeting. Based on the findings the
practitioner works out the best approach, whether
plant-based tinctures or tea formulas, herbal
powders, or additional supplements are needed
and of course how to change diet and lifestyle. It is
very clear for me that the practitioner is not a
medically trained physician, and they should
always refer to a doctor if they think that the
symptoms need medical attention.
A love of plants
As you might know by now, I love working with
plants, and with the help of my mother I grow
several herbs in her vegetable garden in Germany
and use them for my tea formulas and tinctures.
When I am not seeing clients I spend time in the
garden, potting plants in my greenhouse or at my
desk preparing workshops or tutorials. One of my
focuses is to bring children closer to nature and to
teach them about the diversity of plants. New
projects are lining up, and I am excited to look
ahead to assist people to discover their ways into
health and a healthy lifestyle.
‘The human body is like an orchestra’
Wellness has become a huge industry, which
started mainly with beauty products and spa
treatments. They are, in their own right, great
contributors to a change in our perception of how
we see ourselves. We started paying attention to
our well-being by acknowledging our need to feel
healthy and happy. But how much do we really
listen to ourselves when it comes to health?
To feel/be ‘healthy’ starts with our physical and
physiological health. Our body is not only a shell
that can be polished from the outside, it is our
‘power house’. Our body is a highly sophisticated
and complicated system, which can only work
smoothly if all parts of it play together
harmoniously, like an orchestra. The food we eat,
the supplements and the medicine we take
interfere directly with the orchestra and can
mistune several instruments when we either
ignore or overdose the things we put in our
Time in the greenhouse
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