The Empirical Herbalist

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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

11/11/2026

Save the date and come get all your shopping finished
Glenn and I will see you there with loads of herbal goodies🤩

I’m back from my weekend SENC Herbal Conference - I still can’t describe how beautiful this whole weekend was- truly a s...
11/11/2026

I’m back from my weekend SENC Herbal Conference - I still can’t describe how beautiful this whole weekend was- truly a series of dreams came true 🌳🌊🌺💙
Feeling truly inspired by all the plants, people, shared knowledge and love
Thank you all🤗
Please bear with me as I restock and answer my forty eleven emails

Reminder that it’s a BIG month- I’m headed out for travel and teaching- I’ll try and take pictures while I’m away! See y...
11/04/2026

Reminder that it’s a BIG month- I’m headed out for travel and teaching- I’ll try and take pictures while I’m away! See you all next week 🤗🤩

Herbs for the win again! A friend who took my tea brews and brooms class send me this lovely testimonial ☕️💙🤗
11/04/2026

Herbs for the win again! A friend who took my tea brews and brooms class send me this lovely testimonial ☕️💙🤗

November Newsletter to the november women by Victoria Ericksonthere is no rushing now/only the long exhale/the body reme...
11/03/2026

November Newsletter

to the november women

by Victoria Erickson

there is no rushing now/
only the long exhale/
the body remembering the rest/

the taste of woodsmoke and honey/
the pulse of moving slower/
through the lengthening dark.

you are a woman of iron and moss/
of firelight and hygge/
built for touch and truth/

where everything dies/
to once again remind you / how to live/
moonlit/ root- deep/

and wildly unafraid.

The above poem by Victoria Erickson sums it up for me. It’s been a year of relearning and remembering and I need to take advantage of the changes Mama Nature is supplying.
The year is hurdling toward the end and the new beginning. How are you feeling about it?

Just like the natural world, I am looking at what and how my work has bore fruit this year. I’m trying to figure out what needs more attention and what needs to be restructured. There is change that has been planted and is taking root. I can’t wait to share it with you when it's time. All of it is possible because of you - whether you are a long term supporter or just found me- it’s all in the right time. Thank you and hold tight.

There are a few events left on the calendar this year for me business wise and several more personally. Ambrose, our son is coming home for the holidays and I am spending every second with him and the whole family so please understand my longer than usual Christmas break. It’s been a year since we were all together and I’m ready to soak up some full nest time again.
What are you looking forward to over the next few months?

Calendar-

November 4th- 10th- Closed for travel and teaching to SENC

7th- 8th SENC Herbal Conference - there are still some tickets left- take a road trip down to the coast and come learn from some amazing herbal teachers.

Nov 14th- SOLD OUT Henna with Nora- This is so exciting for this young artist and myself. THANK YOU

Nov 19th- Last Book club of the year- Northwoods by Daniel Mason. We will wrap up the first year of my monthly bookclub with a very unusual bit of historical fiction. We have both in person and online spots available. Time is 6:30

Nov 25th- 29th- CLOSED for Holidays

Nov 27th- 29th Black Friday/Small Business Weekend Sale- more details coming

Dec 3rd- Wreath Making Class @ 6:30
Making a Wreath from freshly gathered herbs and greenery is a tradition in our family and in the classroom. We will gather with our wreath forms and plants, sip some yummy drinks, eat some herbal snacks and get our craft on. Everyone will leave with a beautiful and unique wreath to decorate your door,home or alter. Space is limited. Cost is 45.00

Dec 12th - December Open House- The perfect time to stock up on herbal goodies for yourself, family and friends. As usual there will be lots of specials and sales. More info coming but save the date. Time is 10- 2:00

Dec 18th- Jan 4th- Closed for Family

Jan 5th- Back to Work

10/30/2026

Just a reminder-I’ll be traveling & teaching next week to SENC! Get your orders in today to ensure they ship before I get back😊

So excited for Bookclub tonight, we are discussing Slewfoot by Brom. We have one more bookclub of the year- IN November ...
10/29/2026

So excited for Bookclub tonight, we are discussing Slewfoot by Brom. We have one more bookclub of the year- IN November we will be meeting earlier due to the holiday and discussing Northwoods. I am not a fan of the cover of this edition but North Woods is a story told about a specific patch of land over a 400 year span. This story is told through humans, animals, ghosts, and is a a story about memory, seasons and the role of nature in all of our lives and I think it's a great way to end the first year of book club.

Trigger Warnings-

Graphic or Major Content Warnings
Violence and Murder: Includes acts of physical violence, gun violence, and murder.
Death and Grief: Features frequent deaths, terminal illness, and deep emotional grief.
Mental Illness: Explores depression, schizophrenia, and psychosis.
Abuse and Toxic Relationships: Contains elements of emotional abuse and troubled marriages.
Moderate or Minor Content Warnings
Historical and Social Issues: References to slavery, colonization, and war.
Su***de: Mentions of suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Other Themes: Animal cruelty/death, gore, fire injuries, and home accidents.

If you are interested in attending online or in person- grab your spot on the website.

10/28/2026

LEAVE THE LEAVES!!!!

Address

Powell, TN
37849

Opening Hours

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

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