In this post, I’ll share how I learned herbal medicine, who I studied with, and what I specialize in so you can decide where to go when you’re seeking an alternative treatment.
Let’s get started.
So, how do you find an herbalist?
Herbalist near me
Google would be the first place to search. But, many herbalists take sessions virtually or even offer online education.
I would write down your symptoms, and what type of teacher you’re seeking and ask for a referral from friends.
If you meet with an acupuncturist, they may also be able to guide you toward herbal remedies.
Herbalist certification
There are so many amazing master herbalists to study from. Here are some of my teachers
My women’s health go-to is Dr. Aviva Romm. I completed the very intense Herbal Medicine for Women’s Health, as well as her children’s health courses. You can learn more here: https://avivaromm.com/courses/herbal-medicine-for-women/
It’s a certification through Dr. Aviva Romm covering all herbal remedies from menarche to menopause.
I’ve completed this certification and offer online education and virtual sessions.
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Tara, “what do you specialize in”?
I love getting to the root cause of your symptoms. Here are some of my specialties.
Natural remedies for anxiety
We dive into your gut health, daily diet, and herbs to support heart palpitations and sleep. I also incorporate breathing and meditative exercises from my eighteen years of teaching Pilates, yoga, and movement.
New treatment for fibroids without surgery
From personal experience, I’ve learned how to stop the flooding that comes with fibroids and reduce the pain naturally with herbal medicine. My private health consultations would be great for you if you’re struggling with pain from fibroids.
Your body has a great capacity to heal
\Natural remedies for PMS mood swings
PMS and PMDD stem from poor liver health. In my private health consultations, we’ll discuss how to support your liver with diet, supplements, and herbs to reduce your monthly symptoms.
Natural remedies for perimenopause
Hot flashes, insomnia, short or long cycles. This season of change can be very challenging, but herbs can support you immensely. In a health consultation, we can focus on your current symptoms and the EXACT herbs to help you transition into menopause with grace.
Herbs for bladder irritation and UTIs
UTIs or urinary tract infections can be very painful. And they all stem from your gut health. By “healing your gut”, improving your digestion and elimination you can reduce and stop UTIs for years to come.
Herbal remedies for a yeast infection
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Why do you use herbal medicine?
Your medications are affecting your gut health. When your gut health is affected, your whole immune system can change. Even though this post is for children’s health, it explains why I love herbal and homeopathic medicine.
We discuss your sleep, any changes in your cycle, your diet, supplements, and any new stressors at home.
I inquire about your #1 symptoms and each week we look at different suggestions to get to the root cause of this.
I ask you to write down a 3-day diet. And, send me pictures of the supplements you are currently taking.
You may also want to have blood work done and get tested for the MTHFR gene. Many of my clients have one or two of the SNPs affecting their ability to detoxify.
I offer a 30-day transformational package. This includes 3 private, virtual sessions and 30 days of unlimited support.
After each session, you’ll receive a detailed email with my suggestions.
You can choose what herbs to purchase based on my suggestions.
Natural remedies for a cold
If you hate using conventional medication and need more support when you’re sick; book a 30-min call with Tara to get the EXACT remedies you need to help you feel better faster.
Herbalists take a “full picture” approach with their sessions. The body always works together. From a women’s health perspective, I inquire about your diet, supplements, sleep, cycle of your period, and any additional stressors you are having at home.
From my 18+ years in fitness, I always make suggestions for breathing exercises and inquire about your pelvic floor health, and offer tips to help soothe your nervous system. This is usually the crux of all illnesses.
Everyone experiences anxiety at different points in life—stress, and worry are natural parts of being human.
Even though it’s not unusual (anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. today), anxiety can be isolating and hard to confront when it gets out of hand.
Most days we’re able to bounce back from stressful events, but for those who struggle with anxious feelings, daily life can feel like an uphill battle.
Raising twins and running a Pilates studio taught me the true meaning of anxiety and burnout a few years back. After months of sleep deprivation, I began studying to become a women’s herbal educator, hoping to get to the root of my struggle with anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
I quickly learned that nourishing my body with botanicals—specifically adaptogens and nervines— is key to keeping anxiety and burnout at bay.
Adaptogens are a category of herbs that help us “adapt around stress.” Their anti-fatigue effects make them particularly potent when you’re up against mental exhaustion, frequent illness, or chronic stress.
If you’re burning the candle at both ends, treating yourself with any of these seven herbs will help you feel relaxed, balanced, and healthy again:
1. Ashwagandha (withania somnifera)
This is the first adaptogen I turned to when I was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, and it’s still a personal favorite. Ashwagandha is “known to give you the strength and stamina of a stallion”, but still gentle enough for anyone coping with anxiety. When taken regularly, it can ease shot nerves and improve sleep.
My favorite Ashwagandha product is Adrena Soothe by Dr. Aviva Romm. Try 2 dropperfuls in¼ cup of water two times per day, to reduce your stress.
2. Reishi (ganoderma lucidum)
Do you find you get sick when you finally go on vacation? The relationship between stress and illness is complex.
One study shows that chronic stress can raise the risk of viral infections, eventually manifesting in full-blown illness. Try reishi if you’re under the weather frequently, or just feel stressed out and run down.
Taken regularly, reishi can reduce the likelihood that your stress will literally make you sick– so you can enjoy your vacations, rather than spending them out of commission.
Wondering how to overcome anxiety? Grab this freebie to learn how 👇
3. Milky Oat Tops (avena sativa)
Filled with vitamins and minerals, milky oat tops are a great herbal remedy that nourishes your nervous tissue and promotes relaxation.
Pairing milky oat tops with stinging nettles is a perfect combination to boost your daily energy without spiking stress or anxiety.
Due to cross-contamination, you may want to avoid milky oats if you have celiac disease.
👉My favorite way to enjoy milky oats is in a cup of blended tea. Combine equal parts of dried milky oat tops and stinging nettles.
Add 1 tablespoon of the blended herbs to 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and steep the herbs for 20 minutes for a medicinal infusion, then strain and add a little raw honey for flavor.
4. Chamomile (matricaria recutita)
Just one cup per day of this well-loved tea can reduce menstrual cramps, shift your mood, and ease digestion. Safe for children, our family enjoys a cup of chamomile tea most nights to reduce our collective stress.
My favorite recipe for the whole family: Blend dried chamomile, lemon balm and milky oat tops together.
Then add 1 tablespoon of the mixed dried herbs to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes. Add honey for flavor and double-check the tea has cooled before serving to children.
5. Lemon Balm (melissa officinalis)
If you’re prone to ragweed allergies, skip chamomile and enjoy a cup of lemon balm tea. This delightful citrus-flavored tea is known as the “gladdening herb”.
As a nervine and mild anti-depressant, lemon balm promotes relaxation and reduces nervous energy.
To enjoy: Add 1 tablespoon of the dried herb to 1 cup of boiling water and let steep for 10 minutes. Add milk and honey for flavor.
6. Motherwort (leonurus cardiaca)
From motherhood to menopause, Motherwort is a true gift for women. It shouldn’t be used during pregnancy but should be your first go-to-herb after birth.
Motherwort’s calming qualities can help with everything from heart palpitations to extreme anxiety. Taking motherwort throughout the day can release tension and reduce panic attacks, and it’s a great solution for falling back to sleep if you wake up frequently during the night.
Motherwort has a bitter taste, so I find it’s best taken as a tincture. Follow the directions on the label for your dosing.
7. Lavender (lavandula officinalis)
My favorite way to use lavender is as an essential oil.
Tap diluted lavender essential oil on your wrists or spray it in the air to soothe stress immediately. Lavender is known to help induce sleep, which makes it a perfect remedy for unwinding before bed.
To enjoy: Dilute the lavender essential oil with water and add it to your body products, spray it on your pillow, or tap on your wrists as an organic, soothing perfume.
Have you used botanical remedies before? Which ones work for you? Share in the comments section!
Warmly~ Tara
I’d love to know. Have you tried these before? Which one is your favorite?
Obsessed with natural remedies, Tara Gregorio is a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator located in Cold Spring, NY. She loves helping women reduce their medications with botanicals. Her favorite herbal recipes can be found on Pinterest and Instagram.
Have you ever wondered why constipation happens to you after childbirth?
lack of sleep
eating “quick” foods
too much caffeine
little to no exercise
and…no time for “you”
I get it.
But, this can change.
By the end of this post, you’ll have my tried and true poop remedies to reduce constipation for yourself, AND to save your pelvic floor from any stress.
Yes, read that again 👆 If you’re pooping “wrong”, your pelvic floor will suffer.
Let’s get started.
10 Treatments of Constipation
#1 Go Gluten and Dairy Free
Gluten-containing foods and dairy products can cause constipation due to their inflammatory effects. And, if your body cannot digest these foods {think lack of digestive enzymes}, you’ll have a more difficult time.
Consider…
Changing your full bowl of yogurt for a bowl of chia seed pudding
or 1 tbs. of yogurt at your meal is a great way to add probiotics to your body without too much dairy
Try coconut yogurt, instead of cow’s milk
Explore CA-rich foods and take out the milk
Try an elimination diet for 1-3 weeks and notice if you feel better. If so, eliminate these foods from your diet.
Keep in mind; Gluten-free doesn’t mean buying more boxed foods!>>>>Make whole grains like quinoa, oatmeal, buckwheat, or black rice a priority!
Try oatmeal for breakfast, buckwheat flour pancakes, almond flour cookies, and whole grains for lunch and dinner.
Goat’s milk and goat cheese may be easier for you to digest
When you have dairy or gluten- take a digestive enzyme like Enzymedica to help you process the food
#2 Eat warm, cooked, foods
Ayurvedic medicine states Vata body types -those prone to constipation- need to add warm, cooked foods because their body is dryer and needs more moisture.
Consider drinking hot water with lemon in the morning and adding more soups to your diet.
#3 Drink 8-9 cups of water a day.
When constipated, drink 2-3 cups of water immediately upon waking. Then move your body.
Do you drink coffee? This could be dehydrating you. Try waiting until 11:00 am or after you go to the bathroom to enjoy your cup of coffee.
How much water do you need?
Take your weight, divided by 2, then divided by 8 = # of cups of water a day
For example; 150lbs/2= 75. 75/8= 9 cups of water a day
#4 Try a daily probiotic
Choose a probiotic with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species and take it daily for 1-3 months to improve your digestion and aid elimination.
With severe constipation, you can also add a powdered form of probiotic to 1/4 cup of water and have it at each meal =2-3x day.
Babies, toddlers, and big kids can also try this; especially if they were born via c-section.
#5 Add magnesium citrate
Magnesium Citrate assists with constipation aids relaxation and supports sugar cravings.
Start with 200mg at bedtime, but reduce the amount if you have diarrhea.
Taking Magnesium before bed will lead to a soft bowel movement in the morning.
#6 Take a digestive enzyme
Enzymes assist in the chemical breakdown of food into smaller absorbable components. Especially dairy and meat.
Enzymes called amylases break down starches into sugar molecules; proteases break down proteins into amino acids, and lipases break down fat into its parts.
Try Enzymedica if you struggle with eating meat, gluten, or dairy foods.
See all my gut health suggestions when you loginto Fullscript. Plus, you’ll receive 15% off the products.
#7 Take Betaine HCL
Stomach acid is essential for digestion and nutrient assimilation and as we get older our acidity decreases.
Those with heartburn, tend to have too little acidity.
Read that again 👆
So skip the tums and add acid to your diet.
If you struggle with heartburn, try Betaine HCL at each meal. It is life-changing!
Read this article on how to supplement with Betaine HCL and consult your doctor if you have acid reflux or ulcers.
#8 Reduce stress
At one point, I was eating while doing the dishes!
Yes, moms can multi-task, but should we when we’re eating?
Put down the dishes and pause. Take a deep breath. Encourage older children to get what they need during dinner time or some moms eat at separate times from their kids.
Breathing before each meal enhances the digestive enzymes in your body to aid digestion.
Try deep belly breathing 3x a day.
End your meal with chamomile or peppermint tea to aid the digestive process.
#9 Add Flaxseeds
One tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains 2 grams of dietary fiber!
To make:
Grind 1 cup of whole organic flaxseed and store it in a container in the refrigerator.
Take 1-2 Tbs. of ground flaxseed per day to our oatmeal to keep bowels regular.
Stir the ground flaxseed into oatmeal, soup, coconut yogurt, smoothies, or any food that you enjoy.
Safe for kids in smaller doses.
Make sure you drink lots of water after.
#10 Add botanicals
Triphala
Triphala is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulation made from Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula).
Take it at night to reduce constipation. Triphala is gentle and supports regular bowel movements and relaxes the nervous system.
Senna
Senna is known as a safe laxative for occasional use. Moms love Smooth Move tea during pregnancy and beyond.
Chamomile and Peppermint
Both of these botanicals can reduce gas and aid digestion.
In summary, diet is always first. Think of soft foods, filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Have oatmeal in the morning with peppermint tea, buckwheat flour pancakes, or a shake with fruit and dates. Make fiber a priority.
If you’re eating all the right things and moving your body, ask your doctor about adding progesterone to your diet if you’re in peri-menopause. This could be one fix your body needs to stop constipation.
Always see your doctor with any health concerns.
xo
Tara
P.S. Ready to learn more? Book an exploratory session to see if I can help you with your symptoms. Book here.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), or more commonly known as a yeast infection, is the second most common cause of vaginitis {inflammation in the vaginal area} in the US.¹
It’s caused by the fungus Candida albicans, however other species are becoming increasingly common.
The itching caused by this yeast can be annoying and very uncomfortable. Thankfully, addressing your gut health and introducing herbal medicine can reduce these symptoms and get you back to feeling well again – fast.
But, wait up.
There are two other types of vaginitis;
Bacterial Vaginosis {vaginal PH<4.5}
Trichomoniasis also causes itching and discharge {vaginal PH< 4.5}
so you may want to see your doctor and get a fungal culture to make sure, especially if you are pregnant.
So, what are the symptoms you are looking for?
Yeast Infection Symptoms
The smell of yeast may be the first indicator that you notice.
Next may be mild to severe itching and irritation of the vulva area.
You also may notice the vulva is red from scratching; which you want to try to avoid.
You may have no order or smell similar to yeast bread
You may have redness from itching
If you were to test your PH, it would be normal
What causes these repeated infections?
Yeast Infection causes
Repeated antibiotic use
Diabetes mellitus
HIV infection/AIDS
Increase estrogen levels {HRT}
Pregnancy
Hyperglycemia
Allergies
And.. anything that disrupts the vaginal flora such as:
Antibiotics
Use of tampons, sponges, douches, intrauterine devices, and sex toys
Sexual practices or new partners
IUD, spermicide
Rise in PH
Decline in lactobacillus
Lack of hydrogen peroxide
Hot tubs
Sexual abuse
Are you ready to reduce your medications? Grab this FREE freebie; The 10 Botanicals for Women’s Health to heal your gut and reduce symptoms for years to come.
4 Step Yeast Infection Home Remedies
I like to take a four-step approach when treating a yeast infection. Follow these four steps to reduce the number of yeast infections you experience.
#1 Take an antimicrobial internally AND externally {see below}
Consider taking these herbs INTERNALLY to reduce infection and inflammation. You can purchase these as a tincture or supplement. I prefer the tinctures typically, but the supplement below is handy as it combines a variety of herbs together.
Dosing: 20-60 drops total 2-3x day
Look for these herbal tinctures:
Echinacea
Garlic
Astragalus
Goldenseal
Oregano
Thyme
Various mushrooms like Reishi
Check with your doctor if you’re nursing and taking herbal remedies.
Look for the following herbs or take a blended formula like this one and take daily.<
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#2 Internally take an adaptogen to boost immunity and resistance
Optional: Apply a healing salve with Calendula if you’re feeling dry, red, and irritated.
How to use garlic for a yeast infection
Garlic is a wise woman’s popular herbal remedy.
How do you use it?
Take a fresh, single clove-peeled
Carefully insert nightly and leave overnight
You could dip it into vegetable oil to ease insertion if you needed
Garlic is effective against the fungi E. coli, Proteus, Mycobacterium, and Candida species, but you may notice a garlicky smell!!
And…Watch for irritation or even chemical burns on sensitive skin.
Conclusion
Medications, antibiotics, and the use of tampons and vaginal lubricants can all affect the healthy flora in the vaginal area causing recurring yeast infections.
Addressing your gut health and integrating more natural products, could be the number one way to stop this irritating cycle.
Click below to see my favorite products to reduce yeast infections and urinary tract infections for years to come.
¹ Romm, Aviva; Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health pg. 258
Certified women’s herbal educator, Tara Gregorio is helping moms around the world reduce medications with herbs & homeopathy. Learn more about Tara here: https://taragregorio.com/
Did you know, you can stop a lower UTI without antibiotics?
Using antibiotics for a UTI can lead to
recurring infections
secondary symptoms like a yeast infection
C. diff
and can even cause tendinopathy in the Achilles or gluteal tendons {source and source}
Of course, if you’re pregnant or are experiencing a fever and flank {low back pain} you’ll want to see your doctor.
Urinary Tract Infections (or UTI’s) are so common it’s estimated that several hundred million women will suffer from it annually.¹
In this post, we’ll discuss what causes a UTI and how you can heal from it with herbal medicine.
Keep in mind, herbal remedies can be an effective treatment for non-pregnant womenwith conditions like cystitis (bladder), urethritis (urethra), and even pyelonephritis (kidney) and may even help stop recurrent infections.
What is a urinary tract infection?
UTIs refer to the presence of microbes anywhere in the urinary tract, ranging from the distal urethra to the kidney. The infection is usually caused by bacteria, particularly E. coli, but may be caused by other bacteria as well.
Botanical medicine can help reduce the duration of your symptoms, prevent progression to upper UTI, and prevent a recurrence.
Over 56% of women will experience a UTI in their lifetimes, and among those experiencing uncomplicated acute UTI, as many as 20% will have a recurrence within 6 months.
As the use of antibiotics may become less effective because of antibiotic resistance, herbal remedies can heal our gut and reduce re-infection.²
What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?
Use of oral contraceptives (doubles the risk of UTI compared with no birth control)
History of antibiotic use {disruption of the vaginal flora}
Pregnancy {the mechanical pressure of the growing uterus}
Age {declining estrogen levels}
Constipation
Incontinence
Inadequate nutrition
The occurrence of other diseases and excessive catheter use
urinate after sex (to reduce the introduction of bacteria)
drink adequate fluids
avoid contraceptives associated with high UTIs
dehydration can increase bacterial growth and lead to a UTI
use full underwear instead of thongs
tampons show a decreased risk (compared to menstrual pads)
wipe back to the front after a bowel movement
avoid bubble baths {irritating soaps}
avoid non-absorbent underpants
consider organic menstrual products, lube, and condoms to keep your vaginal bacteria healthy {I like sustain}
increase Vitamin C intake
Drink unsweetened cranberry juice
At first signs of any urianry discomfort, you can take a probiotic like Garden of LIfe Urinary Tract+ , drink low sugar cranberry juice and increase your Vitamin C intake. Lower UTI in non-pregnancy women is often easily treated with this simple protocol.
5 Steps to Decrease a Urinary Tract Infection
Step #1
Take 3 ml of Echinacea tincture every 2-4 hrs for an acute UTI and immune support.
Step #2
Take a daily probiotic for 4+ days. (look for L. Rhamnous and L. fermentum strains. Garden of Life Urinary Tract works wonders!)
Add a marshmallow root decoction to your drink and sip on it. {see below}
Urinary Tract Relief Recipe:
Stir 1tbs. of marshmallow root powder into 4-8oz. of water, let it sit for an hour.
Strain and drink throughout the day.
An easy way to do this would be to sip on Traditional MedicinalsThroat Coat Tea.
Place the tea bag in a mason jar of cold water and let sit for four hrs. Sip on all day.
If you do not feel better in 1-2 days, Additionally you can follow this protocol from Dr. Aviva Romm:
What is the natural way of healing Cystitis?
Days 1-2
Drink 6-8 oz. of water or diluted, unsweetened cranberry juice alternating every hour throughout the day.
Take 3 ml of Echinacea tincture every 2-4 hours.
Drink 1/4 cup of uva ursi, dandelion leaf, and marshmallow root infusion four times daily.
Take 500 mg of vitamin C every 4 hours.
If necessary for a spasmodic bladder, take 3 ml of an antispasmodic tincture including equal parts of wild yam, cramp bark, and yarrow.
Take a daily probiotic with L. Rhamnous and L. fermentum
Avoid all sugar, including honey, maple syrup, and other natural sugars.
Avoid sexual activity during treatment
Days 3-5
Repeat the above but reduce all doses by 50% if feeling better.
Conclusion
Addressing your gut health is key to healing recurring urinary tract infections.
When your digestion is easy, you’ll have fewer strains of E. coli in the vaginal area. Adding in botanicals, can help soothe the pain of UTIs, and reduce secondary infections like the risk of experiencing a yeast infection.
Always see your doctor if you’re pregnant with urinary discomfort and fever.
