Also known as herbalism or Western herbal medicine, phytotherapy is the practice of treating disease and disharmonies with plant medicine. This style of herbal medicine generally uses herbs native to Europe and North America, though there is some overlap with TCM herbs. The medicine can take many different forms depending on the need: blends of herbs can be made up as a tea to help you sleep better, a tincture for digestive issues, capsules to treat arthritis, an ointment for a sprained ankle. I also create energetic, drop-dose formulas, which can often be effective for issues such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and so on.

Your appointment begins with filling in an intake form (which can be completed in advance online), and then we discuss your health goals. We will talk about your main health concern, but also delve into other body systems to see if and how additional areas are being affected. If you have medical test results to share, please bring them as they can be useful to our discussions. Once we have a better idea of your unique situation, I will put together a treatment plan for you, including whatever formula(s) are appropriate. 

How much herbal medicine will I need? 

This will vary depending on your unique situation, but, on average, 200 mL of tincture will last about 2 weeks; 50 g of tea can last from 2 weeks to a month; capsules are often dispensed for 2 weeks at a time, with 60-120 capsules lasting about 2 weeks. Energetic formulas are dispensed in smaller amounts and a 25ml bottle can sometimes last a couple of weeks or longer.

How long will I need to continue taking herbal medicine?

For acute conditions, 2 weeks of treatment may be enough. For chronic, long-standing conditions, you may benefit from a few months' worth of herbs. Everyone's situation is unique, but I try to provide realistic expectations at the outset. Symptoms may start to respond quickly, but the goal of treatment is to treat the source of the symptom(s), so longer treatment is often beneficial. I'm always open to discussion about how to make this a realistic option.

What kind of forms does herbal medicine come in and how much it cost?

Herbal medicine can come in a variety of forms, from tinctures (alcohol-based extract of a herb), to teas, capsules, topical creams and salves, and so on. For prices of common formulations, see below.

Teas

• 25 g: $9.00

• 50 g: $17

• 100 g: $30

• 200 g: $55.00

Creams/Salves/Ointments

• 30 ml: $18.00

• 50 ml: $25.00

• 100 ml: $45.00

Questions?

Email info@modern-alchemy.ca for more information.