The Empirical Herbalist

The Empirical Herbalist Master Herbalist working for 20 + years with people of all ages and plants from all around the globe In the checkout I picked up a magazine that I often read.

I wish I could say that I was bitten by a radioactive dandelion or had a massive dose of chlorophyll and BAM I was on my way to being part of the “Herbvengers” but truth is NOT stranger than fiction. I had my lightbulb moment about a career change way back in the year 2000 doing something incredibly mundane. I was driving to a job that while it was fun and easy, it was just me going through the motions and didn’t spark any passion in my life. While stuck in traffic, I was staring at these giant mounds of upturned soil, and remembered all the fun I had as a kid playing in my great grandmother’s garden when it struck me that I should be working in the dirt. An odd thought, since I lived with my hubby in a one bedroom apartment located in the heart of the the city, but it definitely struck a nostalgic chord. Later that day for lunch, I stopped into a health food store to grab a meal. The first thing I saw when I opened it was a full page spread about an herbalist school, I felt the bulb get brighter. By the end of the day, I had a plan and I just needed to convince people I knew what I was doing. By the end of the week I was enrolled and as the cliche says- The rest is history. Over the next few decades, I’ve worked at an herb farm, taught classes on almost every herbal subject, and opened up a clinical business. Oh and yeah, there has been so much time spent in the dirt growing around 33% of the organic and biodynamic herbs I use to make products. I never knew that I would find my life’s passion on that day but every bit of me is so grateful that I did. I bring over 20 years of study and experience into every case but what I also work with a tenacity and I’m not afraid to try new approaches and get creative with herbal formulations. I often combine herbs from around the globe that belong to different modalities to get a formula or plan that most matches your situation not just the Western mindset of this issue gets treated with this herb. Both your health condition and the herbs that will help are multi layered. The benefit of working with an herbalist is the expert knowledge of the plants being used and how they work best in a treatment. Ruth (she/her) is happily married with 2 teenage children. Her passions include all things plants, great food and drink. She’s an avid reader and loves the challenge of a good board game. Her ideal day involves some time outside, several cups of tea, at least an hour reading and spending time with her family and friends, not in any particular order. Oh, Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain sounds pretty groovy too. My motto- “ A Better Life Through Herbs” extends to all aspects of life so working with me extends to all of them too. Whether you are looking to improve your culinary choices to be healthier and more tasty, you need some help with a flu bug or you are looking for help managing your chronic condition, there are herbs for it all. Communities Served

Clients of all ages- from birth through all stages of life

LGBTQ+


Specialties

Detoxes and Cleanses
Inflammation
Infertility
Unusual and rare cases
Sleep issues
Lactation Herbs
Utilizing Cell Salts
Hormonal issues such as Menopause, fertility, balancing hormones whether it’s Estrogen, Progesterone or Testosterone
Restoring Gut Health



History working with
Parasite Cleanses
Auto Immune Issues
Rebuilding the immune response
Cancer and Pre Cancerous conditions
Anxiety and Depression
ADHD
Typical health and wellness issues such as colds, flus, stress, insomnia, etc

11/25/2025

Such a wonderful weekend of fun had by all!

I've been playing with lots in The Apothecary and felt called to offer Fire Cider on a trial basis. This is a great oopu...
11/25/2025

I've been playing with lots in The Apothecary and felt called to offer Fire Cider on a trial basis. This is a great oopurtunity to grab a bottle if you like a "zesty" immune tonic! I even put it on the SALE TABLE. Grab it this weekend and use the code- SAVE10 to save even more.

Holiday Shopping News This year for that kickoff to the holiday shopping, Black Friday 11/27th through the following Mon...
11/24/2025

Holiday Shopping News

This year for that kickoff to the holiday shopping, Black Friday 11/27th through the following Monday 12/1- I’m offering your choice of discounts-

Free Shipping with coupon code - BLACKFRIDAY - no limit- you can ship herbal teas and goodies all around the US and mark everyone off your list

or

10% off with coupon code SAVE10- save 10% off all purchases- including sale items, Consults and Gift Certificates!

Gift Certificates are emailed to you to print or forward with an email and are good on ANY online purchase including classes and consults- No limit

Other shopping oppurtunities-

Dec 6th- The Holiday Open House 10- 2:00 @ 2905 Staffordshire Blvd- you all know I love to open up The Apothecary 4 times a year with sales, new herbal goodies and the chance to see all my offerings in one place. We always have a great time trying with tasty treats, wonderful people and herbal products galore.

Surprise Items so far include seasonal soaps- Vanilla Chai and Evergreen

Herbal Jellies- Rosemary Vanilla and Elderberry Spice

Choose your own The Emprical Tea cup and Tea set

Sale items
Follow Social Media for more

Dec 7th- Ijams Holiday Gift Market from 10- 3:00 We’ll be set up with teas, tinctures, sprays and more. There are always so many incredible vendors here- I get most of my shoping done in one place. This will be my final in person shopping event for 2025.

Wishing you all a great kick off to the Holiday Season! I am so thankful for all of you.

I love vending at Ijams - there's always so many wonderful booths and loving people around. This will be my last in pers...
11/24/2025

I love vending at Ijams - there's always so many wonderful booths and loving people around. This will be my last in person event of the year!

Full of gratitude for a powerful Planting Ceremony. Friday was a day of gullywashing rain while we set up and ranked lea...
11/23/2025

Full of gratitude for a powerful Planting Ceremony.
Friday was a day of gullywashing rain while we set up and ranked leaves incase people were climbing out of a drenched bed but Saturday brought all the SUN to nurture the people in the depths of the soil. The moments of magic were many - without breaking any confidences- some of my favorite moments were a poem that was read bringing part of someone's personal history, a "coincidence" of seedlings, the plants performing surgery, a peppermint stick. Thank you to everyone who felt called to be part of this. Thank you to the plants. Thank you to my family for working consistently behind the scenes to make this career of mine possible.

This Saturday, I will hold space for 4 people who signed up to be planted- a practice that helps with rooting in intenti...
11/20/2025

This Saturday, I will hold space for 4 people who signed up to be planted- a practice that helps with rooting in intention, being rebirthed and deep mediation to connect with themselves and the greater aspects of the world. The bed is cleansed and ready. Theie take home tools are waiting. I am honored to see what shows up for them.

Tis the season for baking! Since Cyl is home we are planning all the foods that they've missed since being away at colle...
11/20/2025

Tis the season for baking! Since Cyl is home we are planning all the foods that they've missed since being away at college and Cyl like their hero Dean Wi******er loves a great pie. We were wanting something a little lighter and fresher to balance out a spicy chili last night and this one did not disappoint. Add it to your Turkey Day meal plannning.

Fresh Apple Pie

1 recipe double crust or pre made refrigerator crust

2 TBSP Flour plus extra for work surface

3/4 cup sugar plus 1 TBSP for topping the crust

1 tsp grated tangerine zest, plus 1 TBSP juice from tangerine

1/2 TBSP Pumpkin Pie Spice - I used mine but use what you have

7 pieces chopped crystallized ginger

7 Apples of your choice, sliced- I used Cosmic and Pink Lady- they hold up really well- if you like a softer bite- use some Macintosh- they break down

1 large Egg White, slightly beaten

1. Dust counter with 1 TBSP of flour - Roll your crust into a 12 inch circle and line a 9 inch pie plate. If using a fresh homemade crust let it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes after lining the pie plate. If using store bought- it’ll be cool already. Roll out the top piece of the crust too. Store in fridge in homemade or if using store bought you will be fine letting it warm to room temp.

2. Adjust oven rack to bottom of the oven. Pre heat to 500 degrees- YES really

3. Wash and slice apples, then add all the spices, 1TBSP of flour, 3/4 cups of sugar, tangerine juice, zest and mix really well.

4. Layer in the apples and cover with top crust. Seal crust well. cut in 4 vents to allow for heat release. Brush dough with whipped egg white and remaining 1 TBSP sugar.

5. Place on a pan to catch juices while baking

6. LOWER the temp to 425. Bake pie for 25 minutes

7.Rotate pie in the oven and lower the temp AGAIN to 375 until the juices are bubbling and the crust is golden brown about 20 more minutes.
Cool on wire pan.

For me it's the crystalized ginger that keeps this pie so light. Ginger is also great for aiding in digestion- she warms us us, gets the blood circulating and speeds up transist time in the gut, lowers inflammation and is full of anti oxidants- perfect for helping with the heavy dishes of Fall and Winter.

So excited to be a part of Ijams Holiday Sale! Come out and get all your holiday shopping done with loads of local artis...
11/18/2025

So excited to be a part of Ijams Holiday Sale! Come out and get all your holiday shopping done with loads of local artists and vendors

SO GRATEFUL for all the people involved with SENC Herbal Conference - the staff, the farm, the attendees, the vendors, t...
11/18/2025

SO GRATEFUL for all the people involved with SENC Herbal Conference - the staff, the farm, the attendees, the vendors, the teachers- We had such a beautiful time with you all and are overflowing this morning!
I'm working to get The Apothecary back together so I can brew and ship! Thank you for your patience!

Closed up to pack and head over to SENC Herbal Conference. I'm so excited to be teaching and vending alongside so many w...
11/12/2025

Closed up to pack and head over to SENC Herbal Conference. I'm so excited to be teaching and vending alongside so many wonderful people and I get to bring Cyl back home for Winter Break. It's going to be a great weekend. I'll be back to work next Tuesday 11/18!

Pay what you can and check out South Eastern North Carolina herbal conference! Great speakers- 7song, Esme Addison, Robi...
11/12/2025

Pay what you can and check out South Eastern North Carolina herbal conference! Great speakers- 7song, Esme Addison, Robin Rose Bennett, COreyPine Shane and someone call The Empirical Herbalist who I've heard is kinda groovy. Loads of vendors, great food, great community!

Address

Powell, TN
37849

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 12pm

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