"Upon working with an herbalist I experienced profound emotional, physical, and spiritual growth - that I was surprised by, truthfully. Herbalism helps bring everything into balance, as makes space for change." - C.N.
"Cannot say enough about the care and welcome feelings that arose. I really felt I was heard. I left feeling eager and a sense of contentment. Thankful for sharing and cultivating a curious space for healthy dialogue and even room for some conscious abstract theories. Glad to be sharing my discoveries with Nick. Working alongside him, I know I’m walking the path towards a better me." - B.G.
What it's like to meet with us
Step 1 - Meet with your herbalist
In our initial 90-minute consultation we'll take the time to get to listen fully to your story. What's the history behind your current experience? What other things have you tried in the past? We'll discuss diet, lifestyle, and aspects of health that are connected to your primary concern.
Consultations are either in-person in Burlington, VT or done remote. Your choice. Cost for our package of 3 consultations including the initial and two follow-ups is $250.
Step 2 - Take herbs at home
Your herbalist will recommend herbs to take, usually in the form of a custom tea, tincture, powder or capsule blend (or a mix thereof). You're welcome to source your herbs from anywhere you'd like. If you choose to get herbs through Railyard, we can have them prepared for you to pick up or can ship anywhere in the U.S.. A recommendation might look like 3-4 cups/day of herbal tea, or taking a tincture or powder 2-3x/day.
For acute issues people may find relief after just 1-2 weeks of herbal support. For most issues people will either be recommended to take herbs for several months, or an on ongoing basis, depending on the situation.
Cost of herbs is not included with the consultation, and can range from approximately $30-$120/month. We'll work with you to find a solution that meets your budget needs. If you have access to herbs already there is no need to purchase from us.
Step 3 - Address the root cause with diet and lifestyle changes
While the herbs are doing their work, we'll be supporting you with diet and lifestyle factors that may be at the root of the imbalance you're feeling. We'll help to identify simple, incremental changes that be made to get you on your path toward better health. The goal is for you to feel empowered to implement these changes long-term.
Step 4 - Get ongoing support with follow-up consultations
For most people we'll recommend a minimum of 2 follow-up consultations after your initial consultation, each 45 minutes. This will give you and your herbalist the opportunity to evaluate progress and make any necessary adjustments to your plan.
The beauty of herbs is that they work gently to support our body's natural capability for self-healing. The process takes time to work, and we will be with you along the way.
In our initial 90-minute consultation we'll take the time to get to listen fully to your story. What's the history behind your current experience? What other things have you tried in the past? We'll discuss diet, lifestyle, and aspects of health that are connected to your primary concern.
Consultations are either in-person in Burlington, VT or done remote. Your choice. Cost for our package of 3 consultations including the initial and two follow-ups is $250.
Step 2 - Take herbs at home
Your herbalist will recommend herbs to take, usually in the form of a custom tea, tincture, powder or capsule blend (or a mix thereof). You're welcome to source your herbs from anywhere you'd like. If you choose to get herbs through Railyard, we can have them prepared for you to pick up or can ship anywhere in the U.S.. A recommendation might look like 3-4 cups/day of herbal tea, or taking a tincture or powder 2-3x/day.
For acute issues people may find relief after just 1-2 weeks of herbal support. For most issues people will either be recommended to take herbs for several months, or an on ongoing basis, depending on the situation.
Cost of herbs is not included with the consultation, and can range from approximately $30-$120/month. We'll work with you to find a solution that meets your budget needs. If you have access to herbs already there is no need to purchase from us.
Step 3 - Address the root cause with diet and lifestyle changes
While the herbs are doing their work, we'll be supporting you with diet and lifestyle factors that may be at the root of the imbalance you're feeling. We'll help to identify simple, incremental changes that be made to get you on your path toward better health. The goal is for you to feel empowered to implement these changes long-term.
Step 4 - Get ongoing support with follow-up consultations
For most people we'll recommend a minimum of 2 follow-up consultations after your initial consultation, each 45 minutes. This will give you and your herbalist the opportunity to evaluate progress and make any necessary adjustments to your plan.
The beauty of herbs is that they work gently to support our body's natural capability for self-healing. The process takes time to work, and we will be with you along the way.
"Nick is amazing. Thoughtful, knowledgeable, and helps with all my concerns! Love all the blends he has helped me with and am grateful our community has this resource!!" - K.H.
Common concerns
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Digestive health
Get support to: - Ease discomfort - Reduce gas and bloating - Improve bowel function - Eat more foods - Feel nourished |
Mental and emotional well-being
Get support to: - Sleep better - Ease occasional anxiety - Support a more positive mood - Better manage stress |
|
Brain and neurologic health
Get support to: - Increase calm and focus - Support cognition and memory - Decrease brain fog - Relieve headaches - Relieve nerve pain |
Hormonal balance
Get support to: - Reduce painful cramps - Support concerns related to your cycle - Manage hormonal transitions including menopause, birth control changes and gender affirmation - Relieve fatigue and burnout |
|
Immune health
Get support to: - Relieve allergy symptoms - Support your body during the common cold and other seasonal sicknesses - Reduce inflammation - Support your body if you've been diagnosed with an auto-immune condition |
And more...
Including support for the cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary systems. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about how we may be able to support you. |
Why it works
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We know the plants Herbalists are unique. We study the plants and our traditions in depth, often including many years of intensive study in the life-long learning journey. We know where the plants grow, how they grow and how to harvest them. We know how they smell, taste and feel in our bodies. We have direct, personal relationships with plants in a way that can only come with hands on experience. We can introduce you to plants much like how you would meet a new friend. We look forward to helping you find allies on your healing journey! |
Research supports it Modern research is showing more and more what traditional knowledge has known for millennia: herbs work! Recent meta analyses: Herbs are "a potentially well-tolerated and effective treatment" for functional GI disorders. Link. "Lavender has significant antidepressant effects." Link. "Valerian could be a safe and effective herb to promote sleep and prevent associated disorders." Link. |
You'll be heard Initial visits are 90 minutes, giving us plenty of time and space for you to share your story. Clients report being really heard in a way that they don't with other practitioners. |
How we're different
What herbalists do:
What herbalists not do:
- Review health history to get a comprehensive understanding of the person's individual health
- Evaluate diet and lifestyle factors and provide recommendations
- Help evaluate herbal safety factors
- Recommend and educate about specific herbal remedies which can be dispensed as a pre-made blend or individually
What herbalists not do:
- Provide medical care
- Diagnose or treat disease
- Provide assistance with emergency situations
- Prescribe medication
- Accept insurance
Our code of ethics
- Collaboration: Working with one of our herbalists will be a collaborative, empowering, client-led process. While we bring knowledge about plants and the body, you know your body and life best. Herbal practitioners approach this work as educators and we will work together to support your personal health goals and find practices that work for your unique lifestyle and needs.
- Confidentiality: Your story is sacred; we will hold a safe and confidential container for our work together.
- Justice: We believe herbalism can be a tool of liberation, and that individual health is inextricably linked to societal and environmental health. We also acknowledge that Western herbalism has been/can be opposed to those values - from its colonial and erasive roots to the ways herbal healing traditions have been co-opted by modern capitalism. And so, we at Railyard Apothecary are committed both personally and collectively to educating ourselves about the many intersecting systems of oppression and engaging in community work that seeks to change these systems - with the goals of safety, well-being, and liberation for all.
- Anti-discrimination: We aim to foster an inclusive environment where people are treated with dignity, kindness, and respect. Racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, classism, ableism, fatphobia, and discrimination or abuse of any kind will not be tolerated.
- Environmental commitment: As herbalists, we see the herbs, not just as tools for healing, but as kin. We honor the plants and the environment by prioritizing abundant and/or local herbs as much as possible and encouraging use of the lowest effective dose.
Testimonials
"I have been working with Susan for years and she has never wavered in her efforts to meet the various physical, emotional and mental challenges I bring to her with a beautiful blend of knowledge and empathy. I also appreciate the apothecary as a community resource that has pretty much everything Susan suggests we try. I am so grateful to have this team walking with me." - M.T.
🌿🌿🌿
"Nick is a good listener, honest and responsible about advising on his specific training, and I look forward to continuing this healing journey." - J.G.
🌿🌿🌿
"Working one-on-one with Jessica at Railyard Apothecary was such a meaningful and empowering experience for me and my growing family. My goal was to create a thoughtful home apothecary kit for our household - especially with little kids who seem to catch every cold that goes around. I was also pregnant at the time, so it was incredibly important to me that everything we discussed was safe and supportive for pregnancy and postpartum. Jessica brought such deep knowledge and care to our session. I'm so grateful for her guidance and highly recommend working with her if you want to feel more empowered caring for your family naturally." -Samantha
"I have been working with Susan for years and she has never wavered in her efforts to meet the various physical, emotional and mental challenges I bring to her with a beautiful blend of knowledge and empathy. I also appreciate the apothecary as a community resource that has pretty much everything Susan suggests we try. I am so grateful to have this team walking with me." - M.T.
🌿🌿🌿
"Nick is a good listener, honest and responsible about advising on his specific training, and I look forward to continuing this healing journey." - J.G.
🌿🌿🌿
"Working one-on-one with Jessica at Railyard Apothecary was such a meaningful and empowering experience for me and my growing family. My goal was to create a thoughtful home apothecary kit for our household - especially with little kids who seem to catch every cold that goes around. I was also pregnant at the time, so it was incredibly important to me that everything we discussed was safe and supportive for pregnancy and postpartum. Jessica brought such deep knowledge and care to our session. I'm so grateful for her guidance and highly recommend working with her if you want to feel more empowered caring for your family naturally." -Samantha
