Herbalism, the study of using a variety of medicinal herbs to restore balance and health, is designed to treat the underlying causes of disease. Instead of looking at symptoms and treating the disease, as an herbalist I look at the whole picture—past emotional trauma, beliefs, lifestyle, and physical stressors—to discover what might be creating physical imbalances in order to determine the most beneficial herbal, dietary, and life-affirming choices.

Once the causes are discovered, an herbal formula is recommended to help restore natural balance by working with the systems of the body that are primarily affected. Herbs are also traditionally used as a preventative to bolster immune function, detoxify the body, strengthen organ tissues,  and promote general well being, before disease occurs.

While many pharmaceutical companies use the active ingredients found in herbs in their products, herbalists believe in something called "herbal synergy," which means it is important to use the whole plant instead of merely an extract of the active ingredients for the herb to be as safe and effective as possible.