The Herbal FNP

12/17/2025

Our home away from home. I’m sure they are exhilarated to have such mature visitors return each midwinter 🥳

12/11/2025

Using a chunk of this “time off” to go back to some basics. Medicine of any kind is a life-long learning process and requires the desire to keep learning with a humble, open mind. I am working on anatomy & physiology refreshers on the CSF, blood-brain barrier and spinal cord today. Sometimes I know the complex presentations better than the fundamentals, and I can’t think of a better time to strengthen foundational knowledge than right. now.

12/09/2025

Seriously though. Our knowledge was hard won. The groundwork has been laid for you by the pioneering, brave and brilliant women that came before you.

When they speak, we all listen.

Brazenly tagging the smartest patients in the known universe and I’m sure many others I left out!!

12/08/2025

The Congested But Busy Herbalist starter kit 🙌

working on EDS/comorbidity education and notes so I can do my job better, getting rid of that (non-COVID) snot with the blend that’s kept my family going so far this season from Mohawk herbalist

Excited to be here, learning. I’m also thinking a lot about why I’m constantly excited by nerdy endeavors, and how grateful I am for the human design work I’ve done with . Her and I both reppin that 1/3 👊

I HIGHLY recommend working with Nicole if you are thinking about human design work!!

12/05/2025

A transplant from Puerto Rico, Micah is a food systems organizer committed to community wellbeing and self-determination. In a professional capacity, they work locally with the Syracuse-Onondaga Food Systems Alliance (SOFSA) where they support communications & planning. Micah joins Circles of Sage as an apprentice in herbal medicine, and are excited to support patients on their healing journey.

Racquel has been a part of community support spaces for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome for several years and brings her wealth of experience on patient advocacy issues to Circles of Sage. Racquel serves as a coordinator for the MALS pals peer support network in Central NY and we are happy to have her on board to assist patients in connecting the complex dots in their care. Racquel is also the owner of Sinfully Delicious Baking Company in Ithaca, NY.

Check our their own work at and ❤️

See what we’re all about if you haven’t yet at www.earthstrongcenter.com!

12/03/2025

I know there have been issues coming up with booking appointments. Please please please make sure you are booking the new patient visit type, otherwise your visit request will be declined! I cannot alter the drop down menu so please be aware of this. There is a caution about this on the website also.

If for some reason I can’t open the schedule up any farther in advance, I will take visit bookings by email or text. Info on this soon loves! Many apologies!!

12/02/2025

Guys. The schedule is OPEN.

If you’re looking to book an appointment with me starting next month, you can do so now. I’m sooo excited to see you.

Use the site below 👇 or in my b👀o

And if you feel compelled to help me get the word out, please share!!

Www.earthstrongcenter.com

12/02/2025

Everyone always wants to know:

“What plants can I use to keep my family healthy this winter??”

Well, jokes on you, the two herbs I’m talking about today are not technically plants at all, but they are super duper allies for keeping you and yours strong this germ season. You probably guessed it from the photo, it’s Turkey Tail and Usnea (Old Man’s Beard 🧔🏻)!

Turkey tail is an immune boosting mushroom that is prevalent in our area (Central NY) in the Fall, and can be used daily during the Winter to strengthen innate immunity and prevent viral infections. It’s best taken as a powder or capsule.

Usnea is a lichen - it was one of the first herbs I ever worked with when I lived in the Pacific Northwest and it’s a lovely choice for sore throats including strep - in my experience it can head off the need for antibiotics which is huge. We use it as tincture ❤️

This usnea was given to me by my dear friend and it’s overdue for medicine making. I will be working on this next week, so stay tuned!

11/30/2025

Poor mullein root doesn’t get a lot of attention, primarily because the leaves and flowers of this plant are so well known as excellent remedies for lung health and ear infections. However, I can say from personal experience that mullein root is one of the best medicines out there for malalignment of the spine.

A match made in heaven for cranial-cervical instability (CCI), herniated discs, scoliosis and cord compression, mullein root shines in its ability to bring the spinal cord vertebrae back home when they get some smart ideas about sneaking out of line. It’s a lubricator - it helps the discs move smoothly which also makes it helpful for arthritis of the back and neck, and of course as a root-cause treatment for sciatic and nerve compression. I have started playing around with it in patients with tethered cord, and it shows promise there for symptom support.

Tincture is the preferred method of use for this dandy little plant, and I hope this helps you on your way! Drop any comments or questions below and I will try to answer them to the best of my knowledge ❤️

11/28/2025

I am blessed. I have so much to be thankful for as we celebrate the close of another year - I have a house full of love with a sprinkle of chaos, a community I love being a part of, projects that offer me purpose and a husband who has been my rock over the years.

But this past month, as not just the year closes but I close an era of my life, I have been completely exhausted. Getting to point where I can work for myself and open my practice has meant doing the intense work of keeping the train on the tracks at the office the past few months - tying up loose ends, buttoning up protocols and action plans - quite literally closing up shop. It’s been stressful not just for me, but for my patients.

I haven’t been up this early by choice in ages. I’ve always been an early riser, but I’ve been so exhausted and depleted this past month I’ve been sleeping 1-2 hours later each day than usual. I’ve missed early mornings with Faye, I haven’t been present to help my stepkids get ready for school, and I’ve missed opportunities for this - a little precious alone time, reading a book next to my window with a cup of coffee.

I thought maybe it was hormones. Or maybe from all the layers of EDS just taking their toll. But no, it was just good old fashioned burnout. I’m amazed at how quickly my energy and mood have bounced back - I already feel like myself again.

So right now, in the hours of the early Winter morning, when it’s just me awake and I have time to hear my thoughts, I’m most thankful for the opportunity to build my life my way. It’s given me so much already. I’m excited for the joys and challenges ahead, the impact I can make and for many, many more mornings like this ❤️

11/27/2025