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

01/29/2026

Salt plays an important part in regulating bodily functions & maintaining fluid balance! Learn more in Salt, Ancient Mineral make & take class- link in comments

You all know I love this program and all the classes they offer- sign up to get in on all the know!
01/28/2026

You all know I love this program and all the classes they offer- sign up to get in on all the know!

Arts in the Gap Email Forms

2nd Book Club Announcement- Feb 26th @ 6:30 in person and OnlineWe will be discussing The Mistress of Spices by Chitra B...
01/27/2026

2nd Book Club Announcement- Feb 26th @ 6:30 in person and Online

We will be discussing The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

The Mistress of Spices tells the story of Tilo, a young woman born in another time, in a faraway place, who is trained in the ancient art of spices and ordained as a mistress charged with special powers. Once fully initiated in a rite of fire, the now immortal Tilo–in the gnarled and arthritic body of an old woman–travels through time to Oakland, California, where she opens a shop from which she administers spices as curatives to the local Indian community.

Trigger warnings:
Domestic Abuse
Bullying
Sexual Assault
Violence
Racism
Cultural Conflict

Links to sign up in the comments. There is a penny price so that I can use the website to count for me.

Hope to see you there

01/26/2026

Thank you all for celebrating this birthday! Coupon code and last pop up sale for Jan- CONGRATULATIONS to Jessica Hatfield- the winner of the Herb bucks

It's why my yard is never neat
01/26/2026

It's why my yard is never neat

Delay winter garden cleanup until May to support overwintering pollinators! 🌼✨
Traditional winter cleanup can harm beneficial insects like native bees and butterflies, which rely on dead plant material for hibernation. Cutting back plants too early destroys their habitats and reduces natural pest control for spring.
Here’s a better approach:
Fall (Oct-Nov):
- Leave perennials and leaf litter.
- Avoid cutting hollow-stemmed plants.
Winter (Dec-Mar):
- Keep all plant material standing.
- Resist the urge to tidy up.
Spring (Late Apr-May):
- Wait until daytime temps hit 50-55°F before cutting stems.
- Leave some cut stems in your garden for late-emerging insects.
A "messy" garden is a functional habitat providing insulation for hibernating insects and food for birds. Plus, it enhances garden health by boosting pollination and pest control!
For those worried about appearance, focus cleanup on front areas while leaving borders for wildlife. 🐦🌿
Support our pollinators!

Last pop up sale for Jan and I may have saved the best for last! Ends at midnight♥️Coupon Code is 50thbday
01/26/2026

Last pop up sale for Jan and I may have saved the best for last! Ends at midnight♥️

Coupon Code is 50thbday

Even though we cancelled our travel plans due to snow/ice/yuck weather forecasts, I'm going to take 1/22- 1/25 off to ce...
01/21/2026

Even though we cancelled our travel plans due to snow/ice/yuck weather forecasts, I'm going to take 1/22- 1/25 off to celebrate in a smaller way. Hope you all stay warm and safe! See you Monday!

Well, I’ve had the pleasure of gifting you some of my favorite herbal goodies and for this last Give Away- it’s your tur...
01/21/2026

Well, I’ve had the pleasure of gifting you some of my favorite herbal goodies and for this last Give Away- it’s your turn to choose.

You have from today to Monday Morning at 8:00 to enter the drawing for 1 HERB BUCK worth 150.00. You may enter up to 5 times by commenting below or on the Instagram post or sending me an email. The winner will be able to use it to buy products, classes, or consults for their favorite goodies.

Best of luck and thank you for helping me celebrate my Bday month and turning 50.

Thank you all and be safe in this wild weather!

There will be a massive Pop Up sale next week so be sure to check the website.

The Heart of the Matter: Heart Centered Herbs DId you know that Feb is American Heart Month? It coincides with Valentine...
01/19/2026

The Heart of the Matter: Heart Centered Herbs

DId you know that Feb is American Heart Month? It coincides with Valentines Day to highlight the diseases associated with the heart and ways for us to prevent, heal and understand our most important muscle.

IN this class we will look at the physiology of the heart and some of the more spiritual aspects to get a fuller understanding of the ways that herbs can help keep it pumping at it’s ideal levels for decades.

We will talk about herbs for blood pressure, cholesterol, inflammation, rythm, how hormonal fluctuations add up and herbs for heart ache, sorrow, some stress relief.

This class is being offered in person and online. There are 2 scholarships left. Reach out if you would like one. Class minimum must be met for this class to happen.

Link to register in the comments!

01/19/2026

Congrats Angela! Pop up sale on Website- cuppatea15 for 15% off all teas

Address

Powell, TN
37849

Opening Hours

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

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