Herbal Roots with Carrie: Nurturing Wellness from the Ground Up

02/26/2026

🌿 Stress, Cortisol & Menopausal Weight Gain

If you’re gaining weight around your abdomen during menopause, it’s not just calories.

It may be cortisol.

As ovarian estrogen declines, the body depends more on adrenal hormone precursors. Because fat tissue can convert these precursors into estrone, increased abdominal fat may reflect an endocrine adaptation — though stress and insulin shifts strongly influence where that fat is stored.

Chronic stress can change the equation.

Elevated cortisol:
• Increases insulin resistance
• Disrupts sleep
• Breaks down muscle
• Encourages visceral fat storage

Menopausal weight gain can often be more about stress chemistry and metabolic signaling than willpower.

Supporting this transition can include calming the nervous system, stabilizing blood sugar, protecting muscle, and supporting adrenal resilience.

Need support? Feel free to reach out.

02/14/2026

Check out my NEW Testimonials page HERE:

Testimonials From Overwhelm to Supported Before working with Carrie, I was completely overwhelmed. I had over 25 bottles of supplements and no real understanding of what to take, when to take them, or how they interacted with each other. I was trying to manage one supplement for this issue and anoth...

02/06/2026

Chasing Sleep, Tired and Wired?

When sleep doesn’t come easily—even when deeply tired - the issue is often not your bedtime routine but rather, it’s your stress-response system.

The HPA axis is designed to follow a daily rhythm. Cortisol rises in the morning to support alertness and gradually tapers so the body can transition into rest at night.

With prolonged stress—emotional, physical, or metabolic—that rhythm can flatten or shift later into the day. The system stays alert longer than intended.

This pattern often shows up as:
• Low morning energy
• Dependence on stimulants to get through the day
• A second wind in the evening
• Mental alertness or restlessness at night

Rather than shutting down fully, the body maintains a level of vigilance. Cortisol remains elevated because the system has adapted to sustained demand.

Supporting this pattern involves restoring capacity and rhythm rather than just forcing sleep through sleeping pills or tinctures.

That may include:
• Nervous system support earlier in the day
• Stabilizing blood sugar
• Supporting liver clearance of stress hormones
• Replenishing blood and yin over time

Formula focus (example):
Tulsi (Holy Basil) helps regulate cortisol signaling through the HPA axis, supporting stress resilience and mental clarity.
Milky Oats (Avena sativa) gently nourishes the nervous system, helping buffer stress and restore the body’s capacity to settle.

Together, they replenish and restore, guiding the system back to a rhythm where sleep can return.

Everyone is different, so this type of support often works best in a 1:1 setting where individual needs, constitution, and lifestyle can be considered.

02/03/2026

Totally enjoyed creating this Signature Bitters blend for Gauge Wellness Retreat last weekend! I SO appreciate Bridgette’s heart for others and their well being - and so glad to be invited to help make the weekend a little more special!
Just a few pics of the process and final swag product ❤️

Gauge Yoga

01/11/2026

🌿 Herbs & Blood Pressure Support 🌿

Blood pressure isn’t just about the heart — it reflects nervous system balance, vascular tone, kidney function, inflammation, and stress physiology.

Clinical herbalists don’t rely on one “blood pressure herb.” We assess why pressure may be elevated and support the systems involved.

Some commonly used herbs may include:
• Hawthorn – supports vascular integrity and long-term cardiovascular resilience
• Motherwort – helpful when stress or nervous tension plays a role
• Linden – gently relaxes vascular and nervous system tension
• Garlic – supports healthy circulation and inflammatory balance
• Nettle – supports kidney function and fluid regulation

Blood pressure is also closely tied to vagal tone and stress response, so herbs are often paired with breathwork and lifestyle support. 🌱

01/08/2026

Did you know I stock high quality, practitioner-grade supplements for easy access right in town?

A few of the brands:
Harmonic Arts
Pure Encapsulations
Genestra
Prairie Doctor
Designs for Health
Beyond Silver

A few specialty supplements:
Medicinal mushrooms
Amino acids
Digestive Enzymes
Resveratrol
Silymarin (Milk Thistle)
CoQ10
Magnesium
B Complex
Probiotics

+ more

Some of these supplements can be difficult to access without practitioner guidance. That’s why I bring them in and offer support for those choosing to use them therapeutically or as a complement to their existing care.

If you don’t see something, just ask! My goal is always about access and affordability ❤️

01/06/2026

It’s bone broth day today🍲

A slow-simmered bone broth is more than comfort food — it’s deeply nourishing for the gut, joints, immune system, and overall resilience, especially during the colder season.

This batch is infused with thyme, ginger, rosemary, garlic, red onion, and turmeric
• Garlic & onion for immune and respiratory support
• Ginger to warm digestion and improve circulation
• Thyme & rosemary for antimicrobial and lung-supportive properties
• Turmeric + pepper to help modulate inflammation, support recovery and increase bioavailability

Simple, ancestral, and incredibly effective. Sometimes the most powerful medicine starts in the kitchen. 🌿

What’s your favourite thing to add to bone broth?

01/05/2026

GLP-1 drugs (i.e Ozempic) seem to be on the radar more and more. Check out my newest newsletter on Metabolism, GLP-1, and Balance; all from a clinical herbalist perspective.

Happy New Year! I hope you’re coming out of the holidays feeling rested, nourished, and a little more grounded as we settle into the rhythm of winter.

12/10/2025

And… they’re gone..! I may make another batch, can let you know

Friends and family special - I have a couple extra bottles of Elderberry Syrup up for grabs. 500 ml, $35 each

Please private message me if you’re interested 🙂

11/28/2025

✨ With December just around the corner, I wanted to share a quick update on my schedule and availability! ✨

If you need a consult, refill or a follow-up, please get in touch soon so we can schedule it over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be mostly unavailable from December 16 until the new year, and depending on the complexity of your blends, it may take a few days to prepare everything. I want to make sure you have everything you need over the holidays! 🎄

And if you’ve got a plan waiting for review, let’s touch base soon. It’s a quick and easy way to set yourself up for a smooth and healthy start to the new year! 🌿

11/21/2025

Newsletter has been sent! Please check your spam or promotions folder (and add to your contacts) to make sure you don't miss future issues - I am working on my end to make this a smoother flow! Thank goodness I have a very handy, smart and kind brother to help me with my technological weaknesses :)
I would love to hear your thoughts - send me a PM if you like!😀

https://www.herbalrootswithcarrie.ca/campaigns/view-campaign/SAtyHDa1DmjecvHf6Do88CvANCHeTopEkbl7XYDIAb4-TFHeyxaBz3Xu6UMT8-6TXLhaFrpcp8vuDQUqIglByeH11jKyV2gi

Send a message to learn more

11/20/2025

We had such a great time at the Winter Wellness Workshops! Thank you to everyone who came out, and to Daysland Library for hosting me!

📣 My First Newsletter Goes Out Tomorrow — Don’t Miss It!

I’m excited to share that my very first newsletter is being sent out tomorrow. If you’ve been wanting grounded, practical guidance from a herbalist working directly with clients, I’d love to have you on the list.

Each newsletter will include:
• Behind-the-scenes updates from clinic and workshops
• Thoughtful insights from practice
• Practical lifestyle and diet support
• Herbal education made simple and easy to use
• Recipes, seasonal tips, or subscriber-only perks

My goal is to give you something useful every single time — ideas you can actually try in your day-to-day life.

👉 Sign up at www.herbalrootswithcarrie.ca — just scroll to the bottom of the homepage. It takes only a second!

I’d love for you to join from the start. First issue lands tomorrow — stay tuned! 🌿