Modern medicine has developed a reputation for being an invasive and overly procedural standard of care. Whether this reputation is deserved or not is a matter of personal debate. Pharmaceutical drugs, the mainstay of doctor’s offices across America, are known both anecdotally and statistically for their high incidence of sometimes serious side-effects. So it may come as no surprise that according to a 2015 National Health Statistics report, nearly one in three people living within the United States now looks beyond the closed doors of these doctor’s offices for answers to their health concerns.

 
Allison Pappas is the supplement and herbs buyer for Newport Natural Market, an employee of the company for nearly 10 years, and she’s watched as their business has steadily grown. “Many more people are interested in using herbal remedies,” she says, swiftly lining glass bottles with foreign sounding names up on a shelf, one behind the other. “People are kind of frustrated with doctors. They’re saying, ‘He just wants to give me pills. He just wants to put me on this, that, and the other thing.’”

 
It isn’t just Newport Natural Market seeing an increase in business. Kathy Castellano, who has worked at Hardwick Co-op for 25 years says she’s seen the same. “I don’t think it’s looked upon like it’s witchy or whatever people labeled it as anymore,” she says and then pauses for a moment of quiet reflection. She continues, somewhat incredulous at her memory of a time gone by: “That was crazy.”

 
In fact, within the United States, complementary and alternative medicine is now a booming business worth upwards of $34 billion. As is the case with any industry able to tap into consumer interest, however, the alternative medicine market can be just as focused on profit and business as it is on healing. And without the oversight of any one singular agency, there can be no guarantee that the information found online, on a popular television show, or heard from a friend is going to be accurate.

 
With the possibility for misinformation so present, and with so many people interested in learning more about how to integrate some of these holistic choices into their lives, Heather Irvine is ready to help answer some of the questions people have about getting started.

 
As a part-time instructor of herbalism at both Johnson State College and the Vermont Center for IntegrativeHerbalism (VCIH) in Montpelier, as well as the owner of her own company, Giving Tree Botanicals, Irvine is well-suited for the job of advising beginners.

 
Watching her navigate the classroom, office and even a farmer’s market, it is easy to see why her once small company has grown to levels that seem to surprise and almost embarrass her; why her classes are in demand at JSC; and why folks chat her up as long as they can, trying to extract as many answers as possible.

 
More than just her features are open, and it isn’t only her smile that is warm; Irvine’s every gesture seems to indicate that she is willing to stop a minute and listen.

 
“I see myself as an information giver, an educator,” she says, “someone who can know the full context of the herbs in the marketplace and help steer people or inform them when they’re happening upon a different article every week.”

 
Herbalism, most simply put, is the practice of using all the parts of a plant — roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits — for healing and wellness. There are many ways this can be accomplished, some far more accessible than others. The easiest and most readily available for an individual just starting out would be a choice of tincture or capsule.

 
“I like tinctures,” Irvine says, referring to the liquid extract form of an herb in which the original plant matter has been soaked for some weeks in an alcohol base to extract the medicinal constituents and then strained. “It’s a better way of capturing and preserving the plant in a way that is true to its fresh form and more potent. I also think it’s more convenient. They’re easy to carry.”

 
When discussing tinctures and dosing information, Irvine chuckles, something she does easily and often, and volunteers the answer to a question she’s asked about a lot: “In most cases I don’t think you’re neutralizing or canceling the benefits of the tincture by adding it to tea, juice, honey, or syrup.”

 
It’s good information to have because for some people the taste of a tincture can be enough of a barrier to stop them from trying it.

 
Soaking a plant, or parts of, in an alcohol base for several weeks does not create the best of flavors.

 
While some are milder than others, there are some remedies so shudder-inducing and downright throat numbing, a juice cover-up might be the only way to go.

 
Tinctures are most commonly sold in one-ounce bottles and the caps have a conveniently attached dropper. Dosage information is generally found on the bottle but Irvine says the industry standard, set at 30 drops for simplicity’s sake, is generally pretty moderate and may need to be higher or lower depending upon a person’s particular sensitivity.

 
If within an hour or so the desired effect isn’t achieved, Irvine advises it is safe to repeat the dose or to try another herb for symptom relief.

 
Given the booming business complementary and alternative medicine has become, it is not surprising that there are a lot of brands available selling tinctures.

 
It is important to be aware, however, that there are no current regulation standards for this market, so knowing which brands are reputable and trustworthy is essential.

 
The likelihood of buying something dangerous is relatively low; the likelihood of buying something so poorly made as to be pointless, however, is a little higher.

 
Some of the easier-to-find companies that Irvine recommends include HerbPharm and Gaia Herbs. Both of these were founded by herbalists and both companies tend to use fresh herbs as the base for their tinctures, which is something to look out for when possible.

 
While Irvine prefers tinctures, she confirms that capsules have their place as well. “A lot of people like capsules because it feels more consistent to them in a way,” she acknowledges. And while they can also be a convenient method of herb ingestion without the alcohol or the unpleasant taste of a tincture, she does worry a person “might not be getting a therapeutic dose in that small capsule.” After all, most herbs taken in this form are simply dried, powdered, and then encapsulated. However, Gaia Herbs does offer liquid capsules that, according to Irvine, are more concentrated in the medicinal constituents of the plant.

 
Perhaps it just the overall sense of comfort she exudes, but she has a way of making herbalism sound a whole lot less complicated than one might think. And, in fact, she does think “herbalism is more approachable than most people perceive it.”

 
However, she’s also careful to point out that different people can respond differently to different herbs, just like any other medicine. And, while there are very few herbs that have proven side effects or that present true dangers, there are some, like St. John’s Wort and Kava for example, that shouldn’t be used in combination with certain pharmaceutical medications.

 
Additionally, individuals with clinically diagnosed anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders may want to consult with an herbalist before adding an herb to their existing program of care.

 
“When in doubt, try to get your information from an honest to goodness herbalist,” says Irvine. “There are a lot of herbalists who are eager to be seeing more clients and can be approachable from a cost standpoint. So if you’re feeling unsure or uneasy, go for some counsel and guidance and ideas.”

Herbs at a glance

The following information is provided courtesy of Heather Irvine, clinical herbalist, and instructor of herbalism at JSC and Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism.

For Sleeplessness
Valerian: Useful for an active mind at nighttime before you go to bed: you’re making lists, thinking about what you have to do the next day, or running through what you should have said.
California Poppy: Nice for someone who wakes up often in the night, or who wakes up around two or three in the morning.
Passionflower: Improves sleep quality when taken an hour before bed. Useful for stress reduction and calming. Good for someone who gets quiet when things go wrong; who feels withdrawn when experiencing anxiety. Can be used day or night.

For anxiety
Skullcap: Good for when someone has headaches, or neck and back tension in addition to anxiety. Helpful when the feeling of anxiety is present in the body. Nighttime use can help to promote restful sleep. Can be used day or night.
Lemon Balm: Bright and uplifting. Stress relieving and anxiety reducing. Can also be useful when looking to ease symptoms of depression.
Kava: Can be quite relaxing to the muscular system and tension in the body as well as to the mind. May act as an initial sedative, proving helpful for insomnia, however it can prevent more restful sleep throughout the night.
Cautions: One should see how they react to kava before taking too much and then driving or performing other similar activities. Kava may interact with certain pharmaceutical medications. In extremely rare instances adverse effects on the liver have been reported.
Rescue Remedy: Very helpful for acute moments of panic or when starting to feel a swell of anxiety or panic. Effective for people and for pets.

 
For symptons of depression
St. John’s Wort: Useful for the symptoms of mild depression; a gentle mood lifter, especially nice in the winter. Makes our skin more responsive to the sun and may help us absorb vitamin D.
Cautions: It is important to note that St. John’s Wort has been shown to interact with a number of pharmaceutical medications, including antidepressants, birth control pills, and some others.
Rhodiola: Referred to as an adaptogen, it helps the body adapt to stress. This one in particular is a little bit energizing. While rhodiola’s actions aren’t exclusively associated with mood, it is enlivening and can often help people feel they have more energy and feel a bit lifted.
Caution: There is some precaution suggested for people prone to high levels of anxiety or who have bipolar disorder as the energizing action of the herb may increase anxiety or manic swings.
Tulsi/Holy Basil: Promotes and supports calm energy; a balancing herb. This is a sweet and aromatic plant, with an unusual sort of fruity, bubblegummy flavor.
Rose: A little bit mood lifting, especially for winter months. Helpful after tearfulness or grief. Also helpful for easing symptoms of anxiety.